Beyond the negative press about a canine blood supply company is a significant community-based opportunity. The public exposure of housing conditions for donor dogs prompted Dr. Nicholas Dodman to ask dog lovers to consider the best practices for blood donation.
Veterinarians can encourage their clients to volunteer large, healthy dogs occasionally to have their blood drawn and stored for transfusions.
Source: DVM360, November 21, 2018. Link. A study published in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science concluded that “nonprofit, community-based canine volunteer donor programs for animal blood banks can be successful while maintaining high safety standards and ethical treatment of volunteers.”
INSIGHTS: There are six major dog blood types out of a possible 12, but 40 to 45 percent of all dogs have a universal canine blood type. Sixty percent of Greyhounds have a universal blood type. Boxers, Irish Wolfhounds, German Shepherds, Dobermans and Pit Bulls are often universal donors, as well.