Pet Blood Bank UK - 1000th Donor

Pet Blood Bank UK (PBBuk), the national canine blood donation charity launched in March 2007 by Vets Now has received its 1000th blood donation.

PBBuk was launched at Crufts 2007 after a change in legislation made allowed vets to store pet blood. PBBuk holds regular blood collection sessions across the UK, similar to the human blood donation service. Its canine donors makle blood products available to vets across the UK who need to perform a blood transfusion.

Speaking about the milestone, PBBuk's Executive Director, Wendy Barnett said:

"We are absolutely delighted to have reached this important milestone and it just shows how far we have come since we launched just over 18 months ago. The fact that we are at donor 1000 now is testament to the generosity of dog owners all over the country who bring their dogs to donate at local blood collection sessions and of course the veterinary practices who kindly provide the premises for these sessions to take place. Without these owners, we wouldn't be able to supply the veterinary profession with the blood products they need to save the lives of hundreds of dogs in the UK."

The canine blood is processed into various blood products and stored at the charity's laboratory in Leicester. They are then sold to veterinary practices across the UK. PBBuk says it will soon be launching a feline blood donation service.