Meet the very good dogs saving lives by donating blood: 'Dogs are so special, they give us so much'

Flat-coated, four-year-old retriever Bear has saved 20 lives in the last two years. But he’s not a search-and-rescue dog, police dog or even a service dog. There were no headline-grabbing dramatic rescues, nor does Bear have an uncanny ability to sniff out illness. However, by donating blood, Bear has saved the lives of 20 dogs suffering from serious medical conditions, including kidney disease, severe anaemia and immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, a condition where the animal’s body destroys its own platelets. Bear donates through Pet Blood Bank, a charity that offers a blood bank service for dogs, operating in a similar way to human blood banks. 

“Just like people, sick and injured animals may need blood transfusions which, in many cases, can help save a pet’s life,” explains Nicole Osborne, marketing manager at Pet Blood Bank. 

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“Each one of our lifesaving donors makes a huge difference with every unit of donated blood having the potential to help save the lives of up to four other dogs.” 

Before Pet Blood Bank was set up by vet nurse Wendy Barnett in 2007, if a vet needed a blood donor, they would have to find one themselves, often in the middle of the night with a very sick patient waiting. Now 850 veterinary practices have immediate access to donor blood when required. 

In 2024, Pet Blood Bank collected more than 3,000 units of blood from 2,500 active donors, shipping in excess of 5,000 blood products to vets across the UK.

Most dogs have blood type DEA 1 positive, but any patient can receive DEA 1 negative in an emergency. 

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Owner Jo Robinson-Howarth, founder of the Happiness Club, which offers online mental health support, signed Bear up as a blood donor following a chance encounter at her vets in St Helens. 

“I took my cat to the vet and all these flat-coat retrievers kept coming in. It’s not a common breed and unusual to see so many walking around,” she remembers.  “There was a man with a banner and I asked him what’s occurring and he said they’re all here to give blood.  

“It never occurred to me that dogs can give blood, but obviously humans need blood transfusions when we have surgery and we’re ill, so it makes sense that pets do too.” 

Jo signed Bear up on the spot and, two years later, he is just about to clock up his sixth donation. The vet begins the process by performing a medical check and if the dog is fit and healthy to donate that day, it’s taken to the donation room, where 450ml of blood is taken in exchange for a rewarding tummy rub. 

After their donation, the dogs are given a drink, snack and a goodie bag containing toys and treats, and have their photo taken for Pet Blood Bank’s Facebook page, proudly sporting their red lifesaver bandana. 

“The process is just really lovely,” said Jo. “The dogs get spoiled rotten when they come. “Bear loves it because he gets a tonne of treats and probably puts on a stone in weight!” 

Of course, unlike human blood donation, the dogs don’t know what’s happening, so the team does their best to put each animal at ease. 

“Sometimes dogs go several times before they actually donate blood because they have no idea what’s going on, and you can’t push it. They’re always really gentle, and it’s always done with the dog’s needs in mind,” says Jo. 

“One time we took Bear and the vet on duty was left-handed, so they put him up on the table the opposite way around to normal and tried to take blood, and it completely freaked him out. 

“So they just gave him hugs and lots of treats, and we took him home.” 

Pet Blood Bank’s app shows how many dogs have been saved by Bear’s donations, leaving Jo glowing with pride. “As a pet owner, you get a lovely feeling that you’re helping another dog lover by your dog simply donating their blood. 

“From start to finish, the whole process takes an hour tops, so for just one hour out of your day, you’re potentially saving the life of somebody else’s dog.” 

One of the dogs who owes his life to a hero donor is 15-year-old miniature poodle Frankie. 

Frankie, who is partially blind, was already under the care of specialists due to a heart condition, inflammatory bowel disease and pancreatitis when a routine check-up in July 2023 revealed his red blood cells were extremely low, indicating severe anemia. The vet told owner Lottie Howard the condition could be life threatening and that Frankie needed a blood transfusion immediately. Lottie said: “I was petrified. It was a massive ordeal, he had to stay in the hospital overnight and I couldn’t be with him. I felt a million and one different emotions. I just wanted to be there, holding his paw. It was incredibly scary.” 

The transfusion took place over several hours, but complications left Frankie with fluid in his lungs and he spent a further two nights in intensive care before he was allowed to go home. 

Lottie from Esher said: “The blood transfusion saved my boy’s life. Pet Blood Bank gave him a new lease of life. It means everything to me.” 

To show her appreciation, Lottie volunteers as a greeter at the dog blood donation sessions at North Downs Specialist Referrals in Bletchingley. 

“It’s just my way of giving back a little bit,” she explains. “I meet them at the beginning and give them their goodie bags when they come out.  

“I haven’t got the stomach to be in the donation room as I’m not great with needles, so I just stay outside. But it’s nice to be a part of such an incredible charity.” 

To register as a lifesaver, dogs must be fit and healthy, confident, weigh over 25kg, and aged between one and eight years.  

Lottie said: “Honestly, I just think it’s the most selfless thing you can do. 

“Dogs are such special creatures, and they give us so much, and all they want in return is love and care, which is the very minimum they deserve.” 

Find out more about Pet Blood Bank.

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