BluePearl Pet Blood Bank Logo

Donor eligibility.

Interested in having your pet become a blood donor hero? Learn about the benefits and requirements for donating blood.

Why blood donors are in demand

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

Common reasons pets need transfusions include:

  • Trauma
  • Blood disorders
  • Toxins
  • Infectious diseases
  • Cancer

Unfortunately, there is a shortage of available blood for pets, while the need for life-saving 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.

Veterinary technicians with a patient.
A brown and black dog wearing a collar sits and looks up.
A white and grey dog stands on a sidewalk.
A black cat lays in a soft bed.
A brown lab wearing a collar sits on a hardwood floor.
A small black dog bows down with its tail sticking up in a grassy yard.
A German shepherd dog sits on a large rock with a creek and forest in the background.
A black dog wearing a collar and leash sits on the floor.
A white and brown dog rolls on its back in the grass with a tennis ball in its mouth.
Two golden retrievers sit next to each other on a wood floor.
A tan and white dog wearing a collar sits with one ear pointed up and one folded over.
A brown dog wearing a blue harness stands on a dirt path in front of trees.
A white and brown cat wearing a small black top hat lays on a person's shoulder, wrapped in a blanket.
A brown, black, and white boxer dog stands on grass and looks at the camera.
A yellow lab dog sits in the grass with his brown plushie toy by his front paws.
A black and white great Dane dog wearing a red collar lays on a carpet.
A German shepherd dog sits on a wood deck with flower pots in the background.

Meet our team.

Kaitlyn Rank

DVM, DACVECC
Board Certified in Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care
Critical Care
Blood Bank
Servicing Locations
BluePearl Pet Hospital Cary, NC
On The Job

Dr. Kaitlyn Rank’s clinical interests include sepsis and SIRS, hemodynamics and coagulation, treating toxins with extracorporeal therapies, and managing endocrine emergencies.

Education
  • Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care
  • Fellowship, Extracorporeal Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh
  • Residency, Emergency and Critical Care, North Carolina State University, Raleigh
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, VCA Sacramento Veterinary Referral Center, CA
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis
  • Bachelor of Science, Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA

Lexi Dickens

RVT, VTS (ECC)
Blood Bank
Servicing Locations
Blood Bank
On The Job

Lexi Dickens started her career in emergency and critical care medicine when she realized how valuable and hard-to-find blood products are. She wanted to be part of the solution of ensuring pet blood products are available and used responsibly.

Off Duty

In her free time, Lexi enjoys spending time with her husband and pit bulls, Ryker Avery and Bexley Rae, gardening, baking and cooking. She also volunteers with the nonprofit Determined for Everyone to Gain Access (DEGA), which provides free care to pets and families facing difficult circumstances.

What can I expect?

Eligibility

  • If your pet meets all eligibility criteria, complete the online registration, which inclues a medical history questionnaire.
  • If all requirements are met, a member of the blood bank team will contact you to review your pet’s information, explain the blood donation process, answer questions, and schedule a pre-screening appointment.

Pre-screening appointment

  • During this complimentary appointment, a member of the blood bank team will explain the process in detail and answer any questions you may have.
  • An exam and behavioral assessment will be performed by a licensed veterinarian to ensure your pet is healthy and has a friendly, calm disposition.
  • A blood sample will be drawn for initial pre-screening lab work to complete your pet's full health check, obtain their blood type, and to screen for any infectious diseases.

Results

  • A member of the blood bank team will contact you with the lab work results. If all results are within the expected range, your pet will be officially enrolled in the program and we'll schedule their first donation appointment.
  • When you arrive at the hospital, our team will meet with you to review any changes in your pet’s medical history and answer any questions. Most owners choose to drop off their pet for the day, but you're welcome to stay for the donation. The donation itself takes about 10 minutes, though the entire process lasts approximately an hour.
  • A pre-donation health check will be performed, which includes a complete physical exam by a licensed veterinarian and a blood test to assess Packed Cell Volume (PCV) or hemoglobin. This will determine if your pet is clear to donate.
  • With your consent, a small amount of sedative may be given to your pet to help them relax, if needed.
  • While your pet is comfortably situated on a table, a small area of fur on their neck will be removed and the skin at the collection site will be cleaned.
  • Blood is collected from the jugular vein, with the donation process lasting approximately 10 minutes. For canines, the standard collection volume ranges from 300ml to 450ml, depending on their weight. For felines, the standard volume is 53ml.
  • Your pet is closely monitored with tenderness throughout the entire donation process by our loving team.
  • After the donation, a bandage is placed over the collection site and your pet's vitals are taken.
  • Your pet will receive plenty of TLC from our team as well as treats for their hard work!
  • We recommended that your pet rest for the remainder of the day before returning to their normal routine the following day. For dogs, a harness should be used afterward.
  • If you choose to receive notifications, you will receive an email alert when your pet’s blood is used to save or improve another pet’s life. You may receive multiple emails, as each donation can produce up to three blood products!
A vet tech cuddles a dog

Become a blood donor hero.

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