Heroes Helping Heroes (Blood Bank)

Pets Donate Blood Too, Just Like We Do

We Are Looking for a Few Great Donors

Many pet owners are unaware that blood products can be lifesaving for critically ill or injured pets, just as they are in human medicine. When blood or plasma products are urgently needed, time is critical and finding available donors can often be challenging.

Valley Central Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center proudly offers an in house blood bank program with blood products available whenever they are needed. These lifesaving donations come from our incredible volunteer canine and feline donor network, pets just like yours. The donation process is safe, quick, and rewarding, with plenty of affection, treats, and praise for every donor.

Heroes Helping Heroes

  • One canine blood donation can help save the lives of up to four pets
  • One human blood donation can help save up to three people
  • Help educate the community, spread awareness, and save lives

Canine Donor Qualifications

Is your dog:

  • Between 1 and 8 years of age
  • Over 50 pounds
  • Current on year round heartworm prevention and flea and tick prevention
  • Up to date on vaccinations
  • Free of long term prescription medications
  • Calm, friendly, and able to lie still for approximately five minutes

If your canine companion meets these qualifications, we would love to schedule an orientation and begin the donor screening process.

Prior to your canine's first donation, the blood bank will set up an orientation to do a meet and greet. We want to make your dog feel as comfortable and special as possible. We will go over step by step the procedure and answer any questions while giving many cookies, praises, and making it a positive experience. At this time, we will begin our pre-screening process to become a blood donor hero. This includes drawing blood samples for a complete blood count, blood parasite and tick borne pathogen screening, and comprehensive blood typing at no cost to you. These results will be forwarded to your regular veterinarian for their records also.

Each appointment will take approximately 30 minutes from start to finish but the actual blood collection takes about 5 minutes. Afterwards your pet will be rewarded with a high energy meal equivalent to our crackers and orange juice!

Blood donations are used to help pets experiencing trauma, surgery, severe illness, anemia, clotting disorders, and other medical emergencies where transfusions can be lifesaving.

  • The satisfaction of knowing your pet helped save the lives of other animals in need
  • Complimentary yearly blood testing required for donation eligibility
  • Special treats and rewards after every donation
  • Plenty of love, attention, and cookies during the donation process
  • Blood products for your donor pet’s lifetime at no charge, equal to the volume donated, should a transfusion ever be needed

Blood donations are used to help pets experiencing trauma, surgery, severe illness, anemia, clotting disorders, and other medical emergencies where transfusions can be lifesaving.

Cats Can Be Donors Too

Both dogs and cats can become lifesaving heroes through our blood donor program.

To see if your dog or cat qualifies, please download and complete the pre enrollment form and fax it to 610.435.6378 or email it to us prior to scheduling a pre screening appointment. Once your pet successfully completes the evaluation process, we ask for a one year commitment to the donor program. Pets can safely donate blood approximately every seven weeks.