Find out how your dog could be a lifesaver

Could your dog be a lifesaver? Pet Blood Bank UK has announced that they are starting to run lifesaving blood donation days in Lanark, and they need the town’s dogs to come forward. Clyde Vet Group has partnered with the charity and is looking for donor dogs to attend their very first session at their Lanark Hospital on Sunday 6 June.  

This is the first time the charity has visited Lanark 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 Lanarkshire, 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. Clyde Vet Group is running their first session next 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 6 June, Pet Blood Bank plans to visit Lanark 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 Lanark. 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 Clyde Vet Group’s Lanark Hospital on Sunday 6 June.’  

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.