The criteria for our canine companions to donate blood are very simple.
Donor Criteria
How to become a donor
Canine blood donor requirements
Could your dog become a blood donor and help us save lives? If your dog meets the following canine blood donor requirements, consider having them join our program.
- Fit and healthy
- Weighs at least 25kg
- Between 1-8 years of age
- Up-to-date with vaccinations, worming, flea and tick preventatives
- Has not received a blood transfusion previously
- Has a calm, trusting temperament
- Be capable of lying calmly for 10-15 minutes with their owner present while the donation occurs
Dogs who are confident, enjoy meeting new people, and are happy being handled make for great blood donors. Even dogs who are extremely energetic or excitable can usually become great donors, as long as they have a reasonable level of obedience. Some excitable dogs may require a light sedative to help them to stay still for the duration of the donation. This sedative would never be a general anaesthesia, and your pet’s safety is our priority throughout the entire procedure.
We want your dog to love coming to see us, to enjoy being a donor, and be enthusiastic about the process. This is why confident dogs who like meeting new people and getting attention make excellent donors.
Dogs who are anxious, nervous, wary of new people, or have a fear of the vets, will most likely find the donation process stressful. If your dog is anxious, we would encourage you to support us in other ways, like telling other dog owners about our blood bank and our need for donors or even posting about it on your social media.
How often can dogs give blood?
Dogs are able to donate blood every eight weeks. However, we manage our blood bank carefully and will only ever ask your dog to donate when we are in need of their donation.
The health and welfare of our blood donors are always our first priority. We closely monitor each of our donors through their vet health check and blood test prior to their donation to ensure their wellness.
