David Kendall

Thousands of people give blood at fixed and mobile centres around the country which no doubt saves lives. I am due to give blood myself next week, I received my letter on Friday and will make my appointment tomorrow.

Just like people, animals need blood too after serious injury or an accident. Unfortunately there are no dog blood banks, should a dog need blood the vet has to try to source blood themselves often using their own pets as a blood source. However this isn`t a guaranteed source as dogs can only safely give blood every three months.

This is where a new service called Animal Blood Register comes in. The brainchild of a dog owner whose own dog needed three transfusions to save her life. She luckily was able to use the blood from her three other dogs, however we don`t all have this comfort.

How it works

Whilst the blood isn`t stored, each donor is placed on a register on the website that registered vets can then access.

This is a superb idea, like humans there are no adverse effects of blood donating so there is no excuse not to do it. Imagine if your pet became ill or suffured an accident, where would te required bood come from?

I have registered my own dog Molly onto the register. The site to register is http://www.animalbloodregister.com.

Will it hurt my dog?

Lots of dogs have blood taken for tests at some point in their lives. Usually the blood is taken form a large vein in the leg or neck. The area will be shaved, steralised and then a needle inserted. As with hmans there may be a small prick but it isn`t painful. Placid dogs can donate without sedation although highly strung dogs may require some sedation.

After the donation just as with humans, the dog is given food before they leave.

Save a dogs life, register your dog on the animal blood register!