Most people know that donating blood can help save another person’s life, but did you know that it’s just as important for animals to have access to blood in an emergency?
The Barrie Animal Hospital is partnering up with the Canadian Animal Blood Bank — a Canada-wide, not-for-profit organization — to host a canine blood donation event on July 20 at its Dunlop Street West clinic.
“Things look a little bit different now due to COVID, but in the past they’ve gone to participating clinics across Canada and recruited donor dogs for blood that help with treatments… with other dogs. It’s quite exciting and a really good opportunity for pet owners to feel proud about their dogs,” Erica Dobbelsteyn, marketing co-ordinator for the Barrie Animal Hospital, told BarrieToday.
This will be the first time the clinic will be participating in the canine blood drive, and serves as a vital way to improve veterinary care.
“Each unit of blood collected from one donor makes a difference in the lives of three different dogs," Dobbelsteyn said. "It’s quite amazing what this eight- to 10-minute process can do in the long run.”
The Canadian Animal Blood Bank is dedicated to improving veterinary care by providing blood products for animals that require transfusion therapy as part of their treatment. Canine blood is needed specifically for cancer therapy support, rat poison toxicity, parvovirus infections, surgeries and immune-mediated diseases.
All donors must meet specific criteria, which includes being between the ages of one and eight years of age, weighing more than 55 pounds, having up-to-date vaccinations, being in good health as deemed by their vet, and have a docile temperament.
All people have to do, Dobbelsteyn explained, is contact Barrie Animal Hospital via email saying they are interested in participating, and they will be sent a registration form to fill out. They will then be contacted by the organization to book an appointment time on the day of the event.
“It’s eight to 10 minutes of actual collection times, but we make it a fun event. We have bandanas, and treats for both humans and pets," said Dobbelsteyn. "With COVID, we haven’t really been able to be connected with the community, so being able to do community outreach gives us the opportunity to connect with the community better.
"Even though we are still operating under the COVID guidelines… this is a stepping stone into what everybody wants, which is bringing the community close to the clinic,” she added.
“Also, it’s something people can feel really good about their pets helping other pets.”
