Every donor is a hero.

BluePearl Pet Blood Bank Logo

Why we need blood donors.

Just as humans require blood transfusions for medical conditions or emergency situations, so do our beloved pets.

Unfortunately, there is a shortage of available blood for pets, while the need for life-saving blood transfusions grows. BluePearl relies on the invaluable contributions of dog and cat donors to help save and improve the quality of pets’ lives, expand blood donor programs, and strengthen the human-animal bond.

Every blood donor is considered a hero and their contribution can give the gift of life to animals in need.

Veterinary technicians with a patient.

Pet & Owner Benefits

This is a voluntary program and there are no costs associated with your pet participating. In addition to providing the gift of life to a pet in need, other benefits include:

  • Complimentary initial pre-screening and annual lab work every year your pet participates in the blood donor program
  • Complimentary physical exam by a licensed veterinarian to ensure a clean bill of health at every donation
  • Other tailored swag and giveaways
  • Plenty of treats and love at each donation

Donor Eligibility Requirements

Interested in having your pet donate blood? Learn about the benefits and requirements.

  • Be between 1 and 8 years old.*
  • Weigh 50 pounds or more.**
  • Be considered healthy based on a complete physical exam and blood work.
  • Be friendly, calm, and have a good disposition.
  • Be on year-round heartworm, tick, and flea preventatives.
  • Be current on Rabies and DAPP (Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus and Parainfluenza) vaccines. Additional vaccines may be required based on geographic location.
  • Some chronic medications are permitted on a case-by-case basis. Please contact your local blood bank for a list of permitted medications.
  • Not be on a raw diet due to the concern for salmonella transmission via transfusion.
  • Not have received a blood transfusion.

*Retirement typically occurs on or around a pet’s 8th birthday. However, some exceptions may apply based on the discretion of a licensed veterinarian.

**Some blood banks are equipped to collect smaller units from 40-pound dogs. Please contact your local blood bank for inquiries regarding your pet’s enrollment.

If your pet meets these requirements, a physical exam and diagnostics will be performed. We'll contact you with the results, which will be available for your records, and let you know your pet's donor eligibility status.

  • Be between 1 and 8 years old.*
  • Weigh 10 pounds or more.
  • Be an indoor-only cat.
  • Be considered healthy based on a complete physical exam and blood work.
  • Be friendly, calm, and have a good disposition.
  • Be on year-round heartworm, tick, and flea preventatives.
  • Be current on Rabies and FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia) vaccines. Additional vaccines may be required based on geographic location.
  • Some chronic medications are permitted on a case-by-case basis. Please contact your local blood bank for a list of permitted medications.
  • Not be on a raw diet due to the concern for salmonella transmission via transfusion.
  • Not have received a blood transfusion.

*Retirement typically occurs on or around a pet’s 8th birthday. However, some exceptions may apply based on the discretion of a licensed veterinarian.

If your pet meets these requirements, a physical exam and diagnostics will be performed. We'll contact you with the results, which will be available for your records, and let you know your pet's donor eligibility status.

BluePearl Blood Bank Locations

Connect with your local BluePearl veterinary blood bank for questions or more information.

Pet blood donor FAQs.

Get answers to the frequently asked questions about donating blood at your local BluePearl pet hospital. For more information specific to cats and dogs, please visit their individual donor pages.

Like humans, pets may require lifesaving transfusions when undergoing surgery or suffering from trauma (after an automobile accident and other injuries), auto-immune disease, heat stroke, or other illnesses. Our blood banks are dedicated to providing a safe and plentiful blood supply to animals in need.

Your pet's body weight correlates with the blood volume circulating in their blood vessels. This is why there are strict bodyweight requirements to ensure it is safe for them to donate.

For canines, the standard donation volume is 450mls (approximately one pint of blood).

For felines, the standard donation volume is 52mls (two ounces). 

Animals have different blood types from humans, related specifically to their species. Determination of blood type is incredibly important prior to transfusions to avoid potential adverse transfusion reactions.

Blood donation is a short, painless process. Although uncommon, there are some risks associated with pets donating blood, including but not limited to swelling, bruising or clipper burn at the needle site, prolonged sedation and lethargy after receiving a sedative, diarrhea, vomiting, or in rare cases, hypotension. All pets are continuously monitored throughout donation.

Part of the blood donor participant criteria taken into consideration is temperament and personality.

Friendly and cooperative pets make for the best donors, so canines with a good temperament may not require sedatives to keep them calm, but some dogs will need minimal sedation.

Every feline donor is given a sedative to minimize levels of stress. All pets are monitored continuously throughout the donation process regardless of whether they received sedation.

If a sedative is given, your pet may experience prolonged lethargy, but it will subside. By following best practices and continuous monitoring throughout the donation, side effects are rare. 

Most dogs can safely donate every four weeks; however, most programs recommend a minimum of eight weeks between donations.

A minimum of 10 weeks is recommended between feline blood donations.

Just as in people, each pet recovers differently after a donation.

For dogs, it is recommended to restrict their activity for at least 24 hours. Using a harness instead of a neck collar is encouraged to avoid applying pressure to the neck.

As an added safety measure, felines are given subcutaneous or intravenous fluids. It is recommended to monitor and limit their activity (as much as possible) while they recover from any sedatives and blood donation.

Both cats and dogs can immediately resume their usual water and feeding regimens.

Due to the considerable costs associated with health screening, we request a commitment of donations at least four times per year for a minimum of one year.

We ask that a pet is not enrolled in any other blood donor programs during their participation in the BluePearl Blood Donor Program.

A dog is cared for while giving blood.
A veterinary technician with a small dog.
Veterinary technicians posing with a large brown dog.
A large brown dog giving blood.

If you have a question that isn’t answered here, we’re here to help! Connect with your local BluePearl veterinary blood bank for more information.