“There isn’t any particular breed that we’re on the lookout for,” mentioned Dr. Valerie Latchford, a veterinarian and phlebotomist at Blue Ridge Veterinary Blood Financial institution, a industrial blood financial institution in Virginia that depends nearly fully on donations from pet canines. “We have now every thing from canines that have been picked up in shelters, a few of them in different international locations, to the likes of the top-winning Spinone” — a shaggy, Italian breed — “of all time, present canines, service the canines.”
One non-negotiable: Canines should seem snug with the workers and the process, to have the ability to be snug for about 5 minutes earlier than they should have their blood drawn. “They did not signal the varieties to come back,” Dr. Latchford mentioned. “However they get suggestions on whether or not they donate or not.”
Canine proprietor Beth Acker has seen it herself. Her former canine, Harley, a Bernese Mountain Canine who craves meals and a spotlight, spent six years as a Blue Ridge donor. To have his blood drawn, Harley lay on his aspect on a desk, with the blood financial institution’s designated “canine sniffer” being spoon-fed cheese and peanut butter by hand. “He appreciated it instantly,” Ms. Acker mentioned. “I used to be actually happy with him.”
Harley finally donated about 4 gallons of blood; Within the final years of his life, Harley himself wanted a transfusion, which accomplished the expertise.
However, Ms. Acker’s coonhound-black Lab combine, Pancho, did not appear snug giving herself blood, though she tagged together with Harley’s visits “to share a beautiful deal with,” Ms. Acker mentioned.
9 lives
Cats make for tough donors. “They do not simply bounce up on the desk and lie down,” mentioned Ms. Reinauer of Dowlewis. Cat blood donation usually requires sedation, which isn’t a risk-free process. For that reason, Dovlewis solely makes use of cats owned by individuals who work within the veterinary career. Ms. Raynauer’s cat Apollo, a sturdy Maine Coon, is a donor.
