Could your dog be a lifesaver? Pet Blood Bank UK has announced that they are starting to run lifesaving blood donation days in Gwaelod y Garth, Cardiff, and they need local dogs to come forward. Valley Veterinary Hospital has partnered with the charity and is looking for donor dogs to attend their very first session on Sunday 23 May.
This is the first time the charity has visited Wales to run dog blood donation sessions and they are very excited to welcome lots of fantastic new donors to their lifesaving pack.
Pet Blood Bank is just like the human blood service, but for dogs. They collect blood donations from donor dogs across the UK which then go towards helping to save the lives of other dogs in need. Every donation a dog gives can help to save the lives of up to four other dogs. Dogs in Wales, as well as all dogs across the UK, have access to the lifesaving blood should they ever need it, so it really is a vital service.
As the coronavirus pandemic has affected donations to the blood bank, new host vet practices have been joining up with the charity to help. Valley Vet Hospital is running their first session this month and urgently needs large, confident, and happy dogs to come forward and help.
To become a donor, your dog must weigh more than 25kg, be between the ages of 1 and 8, and be fit and healthy. It is also important that they are confident, enjoy meeting new people, and having new experiences as the dogs will go into their donation appointment alone while owners wait outside in order to minimise risk during the pandemic.
The donation itself only takes 5-10 minutes, but owners should expect their dogs to be with the team for around 35-40 minutes. Dogs receive a full health check from the Pet Blood Bank vet before donating and get showered with treats, fuss, and attention throughout their appointment. They even get a goody bag and toy to take home, as well as the pride of being a lifesaver.
Following their first session on Sunday 23 May, Pet Blood Bank plans to visit Valley Vet Hospital every 2-3 months going forward, so owners are encouraged to register their dogs even if they will miss the first date.
Nicole Osborne from Pet Blood Bank UK said, ‘We are so excited to launch our very first dog blood donation session in Wales. We are looking forward to meeting lots of new donors and really getting the local community behind our mission to help save the lives of dogs across the country. We would love to hear from anyone interested in finding out more or coming along to our session at Valley Vet Hospital on Sunday 23 May.’
If you are interested in finding out more and registering your dog as a donor, please visit www.petbloodbankuk.org or call the charity directly on 01509 232 222.
