Solving the Canine Blood Shortage
Just like in the human world, when medical cases are critical they can require blood donations. Unfortunately, canine blood supplies are low and always in need.
VEG is solving the blood shortage for our hospitals and our local veterinary partners by building a reliable supply. But we can’t do it alone, so we’re looking for canine blood donors.
The first step you can take toward saving pets in your community is to see if your dog can be a blood donor. If your dog is cleared to donate blood, we’ll schedule the first appointment at a convenient time for you.
blood donations are used to support:
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Injuries/Trauma
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Surgical patients
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Diseases/Disorders
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Bone marrow suppression
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Genetic predispositions
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Immune-mediated events
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Toxins
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treats for
HEROES
Your best friend is a hero to many. You and your dog will be rewarded with:
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A full physical exam by a licensed VEG vet—at no cost to you
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A complete blood workup, including blood cell count, infectious disease screening, and blood typing that can be shared with your family vet—at no cost
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The knowledge that your heroic donor dog may help save lives with each donation
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And of course, dog treats and goodies after donating!
Where Can I Donate My Dog’s Blood?
VEG is setting up blood banks throughout the U.S. We are currently taking donation appointments in the following VEG locations, with more to come soon!
Volunteer canine heroes since February, 2024: 47
Edgewater, CO
Tampa, FL
Chicago, IL - South Loop
Newton, MA
Cary, NC
Philadelphia, PA
Katy, TX
Falls Church, VA
Franklin, TN
To donate blood or blood products, potential dog donors must:
pass a physical exam by a VEG doctor (at no cost to you)
be between 1 and 8 years old
be spayed or neutered
be friendly; have a good temperament
be up to date on vaccinations (Rabies, DHPP, Lepto)
be on monthly flea, tick, and heartworm preventative
be in good physical condition
weigh 55 lbs. (24.9 kg) or more
have no history of transfusions, heart murmur, or cardiac disease
have no prior reactions or complications to sedation
test negative for infectious diseases
If your dog meets the qualifications above, set up a donation today. Email: BloodBank@veg.vet
We’ll run a full wellness profile which includes a full complete blood count (CBC), chemistry and urinalysis, along with blood typing and infectious disease testing to determine if your dog can be a blood donor hero. If a donation can take place, we’ll take your dog’s weight, temperature, heart rate, and respiration rate prior to donation. A full physical exam will be performed by one of our doctors and a CBC will be run prior to donation. During the donation process, your dog will need to sit still for 5-10 minutes. If your dog cannot be calm, with your permission, a mild sedative may be administered.
You know your dog best. Think about how they react and behave during routine vet appointments. To help reduce stress, we keep you and your pet together the entire time in a clean, calm environment. From the time you walk in to post-donation monitoring is approx. 45 to 60 minutes, though the blood draw itself only takes 5-10 minutes. We’ll monitor your dog throughout and do our best to keep your pet comfortable—including lots of cuddles!
Your superhero dog’s blood donation can save lives! The blood will be made into several different types of blood components that will help save multiple pet lives. The blood may be used by VEG or by a local veterinarian office, who we partner with to ensure they have the blood supply they need.
Let's get started
Be sure to tell us which VEG Blood Bank location you’re interested in learning more about.
