Donating Blood

An emergency can happen at any time. We are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and we never know when there will be a special need for a blood donor.

When there is a need for a donor, we will start calling people on our list to see who can come in (this means you may get a call in the middle of the night). We understand that you may not always be able to donate when we call - that is why we have multiple donors. We will leave a message if there is no response.

If you are able to come in, the process is very straightforward. Blood donation is a simple procedure that often does not require anesthesia or sedation, and donors do not need to fast before giving blood.

Donating blood usually takes only 15 – 25 minutes. Dogs donate 460 ml (1 unit) of blood. Dogs donate either sitting or lying down. Cats donate 60 ml of blood while lying down. Blood is typically taken from a jugular vein (a large vein in the neck).

Your pet will not receive orange juice after donating but they will receive treats or canned food! Optionally, your pet can also have their profile added to our website hero's list and/or get a post on our Facebook page whenever they make a donation!