Help Save Lives by Donating to Our Veterinary Blood Bank
When dogs and cats sustain traumatic injuries or suffer from life-threatening illness, they often require a blood transfusion to increase their chance of a full recovery. VHA is extremely pleased to have a veterinary blood bank program through which pet parents can enroll their pets as blood donors. We humbly invite you to learn more about our program and consider contributing in some way to help us save more pet lives.
Our Requirements for Blood Donors
Dogs and cats each need to meet certain health and behavioral requirements in order to be considered for blood donation.
Dogs
- Must have a good disposition, allowing for safe handling, restraint, and venipuncture
- Not receiving any systemic medications
- Is between 1 and 7 years old
- Must be a minimum of 50lbs
- Annual blood work must be within normal limits
- Spayed or neutered, no history of pregnancy
- Current on vaccines for Adenovirus, Distemper, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, and Rabies
- Up to date on heartworm and flea/tick prevention
- No previous blood transfusions
- Has a normal physical exam and evaluation by a VHA veterinarian
Cats
- Must have a good disposition for safe handling, restraint, and venipuncture (might require sedation)
- Not taking any systemic medications
- Is between 1 and 7 years old
- Spay/neutered, no history of pregnancy
- Weighs 10lbs minimum
- Indoor living only
- Current on vaccines for Calicivirus, Panleukopenia, Rhinotracheitis, and Rabies
- Up to date on heartworm and flea/tick prevention
- No previous blood transfusions
- Has a normal physical exam and evaluation by a VHA veterinarian
If your pet meets the above criteria for their species, we will perform a lab evaluation to check their health status and ensure the safety of the blood donor program.
The lab evaluation will be done at no cost to you, and includes:
Dogs
- Blood typing: Your dog must have 1 of 2 blood types that can be used for donation
- Negative results for the following diseases: Anaplasma, Babesia, Brucellosis, Ehrlichiosis, and Heartworm
Cats
- Blood typing: Must have blood type A or B
- Negative results for the following diseases: Bartonella, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), Feline Leukemia Virus, Mycoplasma Haemofelis, and Heartworm
The Benefits of Enrolling Your Pet as a Blood Donor
Joining our blood bank program gives you access to the following benefits:
- A $50 credit per unit for our community heroes
- Free blood product for transfusion if ever needed
- Merchandise to recognize your pet’s generous contribution
Become a Donor
