Dog Blood Donors Desperately Needed To Save Lives

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Dog owners are being urged to consider donating their pets’ blood this winter as charities report rising demand and a drop in new canine donors.

The Pet Blood Bank says it has seen an 18 percent decline in the number of new dogs registering to donate. At the same time, the charity estimates it will need to collect around 800 units of blood over the festive period to meet demand.

Credit: YouTube

One dog already helping is Wonder Woman, a greyhound owned by Charlotte Mantell. Wonder Woman recently completed her third blood donation at Hawthorne Lodge Veterinary Practice. Mantell said the process is straightforward and hopes more people will consider signing up their dogs.

“It doesn’t take much time or effort to come along and do it,” Mantell explained to the BBC. “She’ll be back again.”

Mantell said the experience has been positive for both her and her dog. She added that staff are patient and allow dogs to move at their own pace during appointments.

“It’s worth trying, everybody here is so patient and goes at the dogs pace,” she added. “If you can help other dogs why wouldn’t you do it.”

Credit: YouTube

Gareth Jolly, a donor assistant with the Pet Blood Bank, said donation sessions take place across the country and usually last around 45 minutes. He explained that a single donation can make a meaningful difference.

“Wonder Woman’s donation could save up to four dogs lives,” Jolly said.

He encouraged owners to visit the charity’s website to find donation sessions near them.

“If people can sign up and go on our website, you can see where your local sessions are,” he said.

Jolly said winter is often the most challenging time for the charity. Colder weather tends to keep people at home, while veterinary demand for blood products increases.

“We find winter is tougher for us because there’s a higher demand for blood products and through the winter it’s colder, which makes people less reluctant to come out of the house and see us,” he said.

Mantell said Wonder Woman’s family is proud of her efforts and believes the dog enjoys the experience.

“She enjoys it, gets lots of treats and is saving other dogs,” she said.

Credit: YouTube

The Pet Blood Bank says negative blood types are especially important because they can be given to any dog in an emergency. Certain breeds are more likely to have negative blood, including German Shepherds, Dobermanns, Flat Coated Retrievers, Greyhounds, Lurchers, and Boxers.

To qualify as a donor, dogs must meet several requirements. They need to be fit and healthy, weigh more than 25 kilograms, be between one and eight years old, and feel confident meeting new people.

Jolly said many owners hesitate because they think their dog will not cooperate, but that is often not the case.

“A lot of people will say my dog won’t donate, he or she won’t lie down but I think they’d be very shocked,” he said. “When they come to donate they get the utmost care and we make sure they have the best time possible.”

He added that dogs are rewarded at the end of each session. “Every dog always leaves with treats and a toy.”

The charity hopes more owners will consider donating this winter to help ensure no dog goes without the blood they need in an emergency.

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