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Veterinary Specialty Hospital - North County

Brown dog with a baseball in its mouth

Blood Bank

Did You Know Your Dog or Cat Can Donate Blood?

Each year, thousands of beloved pets are saved thanks to life-saving blood transfusions. At VSH, we rely on blood component therapy to treat traumatic injuries, parasitic and immune-related diseases, surgical procedures, and many other critical conditions. As we care for more and more patients, our urgent need for high-quality blood products continues to grow. Join us in making a difference and helping our furry friends in their time of need!

Become a part of our life-saving Blood Donor Program! If your furry friend meets the requirements below, we’d love to set up a screening appointment. During this visit, one of our emergency doctors will give your pet a thorough physical exam. Our highly experienced Blood Donor technicians will then draw a small sample of blood for comprehensive bloodwork, blood typing, thyroid testing, infectious disease screening, fecal analysis, and urinalysis. Your pet can start making a difference in as little as a week! Together let’s save lives!

Donor Requirements

Heroes Wanted!

Your pet’s donation of blood can save the life of someone else’s beloved pet. Please consider joining our blood donor program.

*All pets must have an overall good temperament and be current on all vaccinations.

DOGSCATS
Overall good healthOverall good health
1-7 years of age for initial enrollment1-7 years of age for initial enrollment
Over 55 lbsIndoor only and over 10 lbs
Current on monthly flea, tick, and heart worm preventionCurrent on monthly flea prevention

Donor Responsibilities

Every 6-8 weeks (or as needed) our blood bank coordinators will reach out to schedule your pet’s donation. This will typically be scheduled no later than a week in advance.

Donor Compensation

Donors will be compensated at the time of each donation and will receive:

  • Complimentary screening bloodwork, yearly if re-enrolled. This includes base-line blood work and infectious disease testing.

  • Exam prior to each donation

  • All blood work and records sent to your regular veterinarian.

  • Free vaccines

Animals Donating Blood Really is a Thing!

LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT IT TAKES FOR YOUR SPECIAL PET TO BE A HERO!

Drs. Krista Vernaleken and Lindsay Renzullo of Bulger Veterinary Hospital in Lawrence, MA recently discussed the subject of donating blood for dogs and cats in an episode of the PAWEDcast.

Dog wearing a bandana that says "I saved a life"

For more information

For more information, please call (760) 466-0600, or contact us by email at [email protected]. Our blood donor program is a member of the following associations: International Association of Veterinary Blood Banks Association of Veterinary Hematology and Transfusion Medicine.