Clarity and Compassion: What Our Clients and Colleagues Say

I was lucky enough to have worked in Caroline's vet team during her time at the RSPCA, as well as collaborating with her before that during my time at the BVA.  Throughout her career, Caroline has championed the animal's voice, helping people to understand things from the animal's perspective, and supporting people through difficult times with their animals.  She always approaches things with compassion and an understanding of the very human nature of our interactions with animals. She helps us reframe our decisions to ensure they serve each animal's best interests, individually.  I believe this new consultancy will continue to champion that voice of the animal, and help guide owners through difficult decisions to achieve the best possible outcomes for their pets. 

Justine has been a vet for almost twenty years, working across species. She served as the British Veterinary Association (BVA) President from 2021-2022, and now work as Head Vet for Wildlife and Exotics at the RSPCA.

With her years of experience as a GP vet, coupled with her standing in the veterinary profession as a thoughtful and caring advocate of animal quality of life assessment, I can think of no-one better suited than Dr Allen to launch a compassionate veterinary service like Pet Lighthouse.

Sean is a vet, animal welfare expert and author of "Through A Vet’s Eyes: How to care for animals and treat them better".

With her years of experience as a GP vet, I have known Caroline for many years and have collaborated with her via the Shelter

and Charity Veterinary Association and as members of the Chief Charity Vets group.

She is passionate about the assessment of welfare and quality of life for animals and

is keen that vets and caregivers should take a contextualised approach to pets’ care

so that each animal is considered as an individual.

Decision-making when a beloved pet is unwell can be very challenging and Pet

Lighthouse provides a vital service to help at this difficult time. Caroline’s vast

experience in both the private veterinary sector and the charity sector allows her to

provide independent expert advice and support in a compassionate way to ensure

that the best welfare outcome for the animal is achieved.

Maggie is

Veterinary Partner at Advovet Consultancy Services and former Director of

Veterinary Services at Cats Protection.

Science is increasingly emphasising that what matters most to animals in terms of welfare and quality of life is their own subjective experience. Understanding this is difficult when animals are unable to speak to us but knowing how they feel, especially during complex illnesses or towards their end of life is critical. 

Centralising decision making around how an animal feels and their quality of life has been a long term passion for Caroline. In her role as RSPCA chief vet, she pushed people to constantly think about the animal’s emotional state, to hear their voice, and how care and management impacted it. This commitment helped ensure that the Animal’s Voice was embedded across the RSPCA’s rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming operations. 

This approach and a focus on outcomes compatible with a good quality of life have helped transform how animals are managed and cared for in rescue. It is, therefore, hugely exciting to see Caroline apply this in a way which will help even more animals. The welfare of animals and wellbeing of families will benefit hugely from Caroline’s approach, enthusiasm and compassion.

Sam is head of Companion Animals Science and Policy at the RSPCA.

I cannot express how much Pet Lighthouse has helped me. I was at a point of having weekly consultations for my cat for about 6 months. My cat is more than a pet and is a part of my family, my first baby and I would do anything for her but it had been weighing heavily on me if I was doing the right thing, then adding in the financial implications and the additional emotional stress. 

In my first consultation I met with Caroline who approached my consultation with empathy and understanding and clearly explained how Pet Lighthouse could help me. I went ahead and once the vet had sent my cats records I was able to go through this with Pet Lighthouse in another consultation. 

The advice I was given was invaluable, the consultation was handled again with such empathy and not only took into account about my cat and how she was but how I was and I was able to look at the whole picture. 

I was given options on what I could do and felt empowered to have the conversation with my vet. However as a copy of the report was sent to my vet it made the conversation so easy and took all of the anxiety out of the conversation. I now have plans on place which meets the need of both my cat and myself. 

I feel like a weight has been lifted and the care of my cat has not been compromised in any way. 

I would highly recommend Pet Lighthouse, the service I have received has changed a very stressful and anxious time to a time where I now feel confident that I am doing the right thing by my cat and myself. Thank you so much Pet Lighthouse. 

Through Pet Lighthouse, Caroline helped me see my dog’s quality of life with real clarity. She guided me holistically, not just around his medical care but also his lifestyle and comfort, and showed me how to measure changes objectively so I can make informed decisions as he moves through his golden years. I left feeling confident and grounded in how best to support him.