POTTSTOWN, PA — A veterinarian-owned startup is expanding a niche but fast-growing segment of pet care, offering families an alternative to clinic-based euthanasia at one of the most difficult moments of pet ownership.
CodaPet has launched in-home pet euthanasia services in Pottstown and surrounding communities, connecting families with licensed veterinarians who provide end-of-life care in the comfort of a pet’s home. The company’s model centers on reducing stress for animals and offering families greater control, privacy, and emotional support during the process.
The service will be led locally by Dr. Steve Silberman, a veteran veterinarian with nearly 40 years of experience and deep roots in the Pottstown area. Silberman said in-home euthanasia addresses a long-standing gap in veterinary care by prioritizing the emotional experience of both pets and their owners.
“A sick or elderly pet is almost always stressed by a trip to the clinic,” Silberman said. “In-home euthanasia removes the biggest stressor on the most difficult day of pet ownership.”
CodaPet was founded by veterinarians Dr. Gary Hsia, Dr. Bethany Hsia, and Dr. Karen Whala, who designed the platform to empower local veterinarians while expanding access to in-home services. The company positions itself as both a care provider and an infrastructure partner, handling scheduling, coordination, and aftercare logistics so veterinarians can focus on the medical and emotional aspects of the visit.
Dr. Gary Hsia said families consistently express relief when given the option to say goodbye at home, surrounded by familiar sights, sounds, and loved ones.
“You don’t need more productivity or efficiency in that moment,” Hsia said. “You need peace, stability, and compassion.”
From a business perspective, in-home euthanasia reflects broader shifts in veterinary medicine. Rising clinic costs, staffing pressures, and increased consumer demand for personalized services have pushed providers to explore mobile and home-based care models. End-of-life services, while emotionally demanding, are also less equipment-intensive and increasingly viewed as a meaningful extension of veterinary practice.
Silberman’s career reflects that evolution. For more than two decades, he operated The Affordable Spay Neuter Clinic in Pottstown, completing more than 24,000 low-cost procedures before closing in 2025. His background includes founding multiple practices, treating more than 100,000 patients, and decades of rescue work alongside his wife’s nonprofit organization.
He said no service has proven more meaningful than humane euthanasia performed with care and intention.
“When done for the right reasons, at the right time, and the right way, euthanasia is the most compassionate act we can offer,” Silberman said. “Whenever possible, the right way is at home.”
Appointments typically last about 45 minutes and include time for families to be alone with their pets before and after the procedure. Veterinarians review medical conditions, conduct quality-of-life assessments, and proceed only when families are ready. Aftercare options, including cremation services, are available.
In-home euthanasia in the Pottstown area starts at $350, with additional costs based on travel distance, pet size, and aftercare choices.
As pet ownership continues to rise and owners increasingly view animals as family members, services like CodaPet suggest that veterinary care is moving beyond the clinic — reshaping not just how pets live, but how they are allowed to pass.
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