The welfare of our donors is at the heart of what we do. Their health and wellbeing are always our priority at every step of the donation process.
Before attending a donation session
Before registering your dog, we ask that you think carefully about whether blood donation is something your dog will enjoy. It is vital that the dogs who come along to our donation sessions enjoy being there. This is why we look for confident dogs who are happy meeting new people and adaptable to new experiences. We want our donation sessions to be a fun day out for your dog. If your dog is anxious, nervous, or wary of new people, we recommend supporting us in other ways.
Once you have registered your dog and before you come along to a donation session, our team will call you to discuss our donor criteria and learn more about your dog. This is your opportunity to tell us about your dog so we can find out if they will be suitable to become a donor. We will talk to you about what happens at the donation session and answer any questions you have.
During your donation appointment
Our fully trained team, including a vet and vet nurse, run our donation sessions. They will ensure your dog is comfortable at each stage and monitor their welfare throughout the appointment. If your dog is at all unsettled, we stop the process immediately. Most of our donors come bounding through the doors with their tails wagging excited for all the fuss and attention they are going to get. Some dogs are so relaxed they fall asleep on the donation table while enjoying a lovely tummy rub.
Each dog receives a full health check before every donation. Every year, we run a blood health profile on your dog and provide these results to you and your vet. The health check and tests we do can mean any changes in your dog’s health are picked up early. This is a huge benefit to you as a dog owner. Jo, who brought her dog Layla to donate, said: ‘We would like to thank Lara the vet. Layla came over to give blood, but Lara found a tumour on her under carriage. She has now had it removed and today we got the good news that it was benign. A massive thank you.’
After your donation appointment
After your dog’s first donation, a member of our team will give you a call to find out how you enjoyed the session. We encourage all owners to keep in touch and let us know how your dog is getting on.