The answer is something you have likely not thought much about – animal blood banks.
Animal blood banks play a critical role in supplying the much-needed blood that saves the lives of thousands of companion animals every day.
There are six commercial animal blood banks throughout the United States and Canada. However, California-based Hemopet – a canine animal blood bank – is the only one that’s non-profit. It is also the only animal blood bank with a unique rescue-donor-adoption program.
Hemopet: The Realization of a Dream
Hemopet was founded by Dr. W. Jean Dodds in April, 1991. As a veterinarian who has devoted her life to the study of hematology and blood banking, Dr. Dodds dreamed of one day developing what she refers to as a “Red Cross for animals”. For nearly two decades Hemopet has been the realization of that dream, and a critical player in the animal blood bank industry.
Each year, Hemopet distributes approximately 14,000 half-pints (canine units) of blood throughout North America and Hong Kong.
Hemopet's Rescued Greyhounds
But perhaps most incredible aspect of the Hemopet animal blood bank is its truly win-win blood donation scenario.
Hemopet’s donors are Greyhounds that can no longer race for commercial purposes and would otherwise be destroyed. Rescued by Hemopet, these Greyhounds become blood donors that, in turn, save the lives of thousands of other dogs each year.
During their stay at the Hemopet facility, the Greyhounds receive lots of love, companionship and the vigorous exercise they require. They also receive on-site, 24 hour-a-day veterinary care.
In return, the dogs donate a half size unit (a half pint) of blood twice per month for up to (but never longer than) one year.
The best part is that, after their donation term is completed, Hemopet finds a loving home for each and every one of these “guardian angel” Greyhounds.
But only a small percentage of Greyhounds can become Hemopet donors.
First, they must undergo a pre-screening process to make sure they possess a universal blood type. This is very important, since veterinarians rarely know the blood types of their patients and there are more than 14 different canine blood sub-types.
The Greyhounds are also screened to ensure they are free of diseases transmissible through blood.
Hemopet: Very Much Like a Human Blood Bank
Aside from their unique donors, Hemopet runs much like a human blood bank.
After the blood is donated, Hemopet processes it, separating the plasma from the red blood cells and adding special nutrient solutions to prolong its life. The red blood cells are refrigerated and will stay fresh for 46 days. The plasma is frozen and can last for up to five years.
Hemopet then ships the prepared blood via overnight delivery to animal blood repositories and individual veterinary clinics located in major cities throughout the United States and Canada. Once in these repositories, it can be transported as needed to nearby veterinary clinics for use in their canine patients.
Since Hemopet is located In California, it must be licensed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. California is the only state that requires such licensure and annual inspections of animal blood banks.
Hemopet currently provides canine blood products to more than 2,000 veterinary clinics throughout the United States and Canada.
Hopefully, your canine companion will never need a blood transfusion. But if he does, there’s a good chance the life-saving blood will have been donated by a group of very special Greyhounds and an animal blood bank that believes in helping the donors as much as helping the blood recipients.
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