Canadian Animal Blood Bank
Did you know that your dog could be a hero?
Exciting news – we have launched a new partnership with the Canadian Animal Blood Bank, and we need your help finding superhero dogs to save lives!
The Canadian Animal Blood Bank is a non-profit organization, partnering with veterinary clinics since 1996 to facilitate canine blood donations from healthy dogs in order to provide quality life-saving blood products to dogs in need across Canada. The demand for these products in the East Coast has been increasing rapidly, and in recognizing this, the CABB is starting up in Nova Scotia!
We are beginning to recruit doggie heroes so that when the time comes to host a canine donor clinic, we are ready to go!
Is My Dog Eligible?
Healthy dogs who are over 55lbs and between the ages of 1-8 (have not yet turned 9) can join the pack! If you have a giant breed, we would ask that we allow them a bit more growing time, and do not register until 18 months old. We also require that donors be up-to-date on their core vaccines or titres.
We understand donating is not for every dog, and we want it to be a positive experience for everyone – so please consider your dog’s temperament if you are considering signing up! Canine donors are required to lay on their side for approximately 3-5 minutes, which can be quite inconvenient for some of our busier furry friends! We also have a few people in the room during the process, comfortably and gently holding your dog, so donor dogs should be comfortable with cuddles! When in doubt, we are happy to try, as we understand ultimately we won’t know until we get there; if it is too stressful, we will not continue, but will provide plenty of positive reinforcement for trying, nonetheless! If your dog is still a good fit but perhaps is too nervous the first time, we can also try again and keep the first experience as positive as possible to make sure they want to return.
Can I Stay With My Dog?
Yes – providing you feel your pet would prefer it, and you are comfortable seeing a blood donation yourself! We even encourage owners to stand at their dog’s head throughout the donation.
Dogs Have Blood Types and We Have a Higher Need for Negative Blood!
The NEGATIVE blood type is the universal blood type in dogs. Sometimes certain breeds typically lean towards one blood type or the other. If you have one of the following breeds, please strongly consider signing up, as your dog may be a universal donor!
MORE: Cane Corso, Presa Canario, Argentine Dogo, Collies, Sighthounds, Catahoula Leopard Dogs, etc.
What Happens After?
You will be advised to have a nice relaxed day, and offer your dog plenty of water and treats for the remainder of the day. Donations are returned to our processing center, where different products are created. Your dog’s ONE DONATION can help save THREE DOGS! Following this, we hope to see our furry friends again the next time, as dogs can donate every 12 weeks, providing no changes in health status occur, until they turn 11!
To Sign Up to Join the Pack!
Please have your veterinarian complete the registration form giving your dog the all-clear, and send it my way, or to the email on the form! I will reach out to you to answer any questions you might have, and once we book a donor clinic in your area, I will reach out to you in order to schedule an appointment. narruda@canadiananimalbloodbank.ca
Questions?
Feel free to contact our Development Manager, Nicole, at the email above!
Thank you for your support and for helping us save dogs!