Vet and Clinical Supervisor, Lara Howe, at Pet Blood Bank joins us to chat about this life saving charity. Founded in 2007, Pet Blood Bank is a charity that offers a blood bank service for dogs who run very similarly to the human blood service. Owners bring their dogs along to donate blood at one of their many sessions across the UK. The blood is then processed and stored ready to be sent out to vets when they need it. Every donation a dog gives can help to save the lives of up to four other dogs. Before Pet Blood Bank, vets would have to find a donor themselves, often in the middle of the night and with a very sick patient waiting. Setting up Pet Blood Bank means that vets now have immediate access to blood when they need it. We chat about which dogs make great donors, their necessary age, weight, the procedure, the number of times they can give blood in a year.We chat about the different blood types and why there is a demand for the less common negative blood type which belongs to only 30% of dogs. Just as giving blood for humans this is positive experience, and one that’s rewarded with treats, bandanas to become a fun experience. Pet Blood Bank operates nationally and is always looking for more donors!

For more information go to their website

For more about Anna go to annawebb.co.uk

Music and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

Cover art by Jaijo

Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits

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