Saving lives every day...
Have you ever wondered what would happen if your pet ever needed a blood transfusion? Here at Animal Emergency Hospital there is a special group of animals that are dedicated to saving other pets. Like in humans, each animal has a specific blood type that we must test for and then match them to a donor. We have many donors that voluntarily and regularly save lives.
How can your pet help?
Our objective is to provide patients within our community with blood products for treating medical emergencies, cancer, and other accidents and illnesses. Completing our mission, however, would be impossible without the invaluable generosity of our blood donors and their owners that form part of a network of life-saving volunteers. With blood shortages nationwide on the rise, we need our local donors now more than ever.
Is your pet able to join this lifesaving team?
We have just a few specifications that we need our donors to meet:
*Please note that some medications may exclude your dog from the blood donor program.
- Dogs:
- At a healthy weight of at least 50lbs, between the ages of 1-7 years old.
- Up-to-date on Rabies and distemper vaccines and on year-round heartworm/flea/tick preventative.
- No history of serious diseases.
- Donors are asked to visit to our hospital for blood donation approximately once every 3 months.
- Be people-friendly and generally healthy.
*Please note that some medications may exclude your dog from the blood donor program.
Benefits for Current Donors
All that is asked from our volunteer donor families is to maintain the health requirements for their dog and a commitment of 4-6 donations per year to ensure that we are able to provide our local patients with a readily available supply of life-saving blood products
- Shout outs and featurettes on our social media pages.
- AEH bandana
- Exam at each donation appointment.
- Annual hematologic screenings
- Annual screenings for Brucella, heartworms, and tick-borne illnesses.
- Eligible for complimentary blood for emergencies for the donor pet.
- Donation credits that can be used for a future emergency
- And the most important- Knowing that you have made a difference in the life of someone's pet.
What is it like to be a blood donor?
A quick pre-screening over the phone with our donor coordinator establishes that the dog meets our basic criteria.
We then schedule you a convenient appointment time on-site. We will have you and your dog come in for a meet-and-greet evaluation so we can see how comfortable your dog is with our staff. We like to see if dogs are food motivated and what their temperaments are like.
Our staff will happily give your dog treats if they have no dietary restrictions. We practice getting up and lying on the table with your dog, sometimes even drawing our initial blood screening if your pup is super comfortable. If everyone is happy and your dog seems to be a good fit for the program, pending the blood work results, we invite you to enter the program.
We basically teach donors a new trick: how to lie down on a cushy massage table while being snuggled (this is for safety) and either receive snacks or belly rubs for a total of five to 10-15 minutes. Right before the draw begins, we will get your dog comfortable and shave and clean the donation site for sterility, and then your dog will give a donation. The actual donation time varies from three to five minutes, depending on the volume taken and the rate of flow. Sometimes, this is an easy task; other times, we are not successful. Just like with human donations, there are a lot of factors that go into successful donations.
We are excited to have you learn more about our program! If you are interested in participating, Click the link below to apply!
We then schedule you a convenient appointment time on-site. We will have you and your dog come in for a meet-and-greet evaluation so we can see how comfortable your dog is with our staff. We like to see if dogs are food motivated and what their temperaments are like.
Our staff will happily give your dog treats if they have no dietary restrictions. We practice getting up and lying on the table with your dog, sometimes even drawing our initial blood screening if your pup is super comfortable. If everyone is happy and your dog seems to be a good fit for the program, pending the blood work results, we invite you to enter the program.
We basically teach donors a new trick: how to lie down on a cushy massage table while being snuggled (this is for safety) and either receive snacks or belly rubs for a total of five to 10-15 minutes. Right before the draw begins, we will get your dog comfortable and shave and clean the donation site for sterility, and then your dog will give a donation. The actual donation time varies from three to five minutes, depending on the volume taken and the rate of flow. Sometimes, this is an easy task; other times, we are not successful. Just like with human donations, there are a lot of factors that go into successful donations.
We are excited to have you learn more about our program! If you are interested in participating, Click the link below to apply!
Important Donation Reminders:
Upcoming surgery, emergency surgery, any procedure using general anesthesia, sedated dental procedures, lameness or limping, lump removals, mysterious lumps, vomiting, diarrhea, and medications are important things to call and tell us about prior to your donation appointment.
Current Blood Donors
TankTank is a recent rescue from the Harford Count Humane Society and is new to our Blood Donor Team. There is no one in the world he doesn't love!
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MinnieMinnie took over donating when her older brother, Meeko, aged out. She has quickly turned into a pro and has been one of our main donors for awhile now. We thank Meeko for teaching her how to save lives!
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Tilly |
Billy |
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Toast |
Johnny Cash |
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Cecil |
Kuzco |
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Cecil recently joined our Blood Donor Team. He is extremely loyal to his family and a protector of his farm. We have no doubt he will be dedicated to saving lives as well!
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Mia
Beaker
Steven Cat Steven |
Piper
Rant |
Retired Blood Donors
William, Waylon, & Liberty
Sage |
Meeko
Katie |