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 golden retriever dog lays on an exam table next to the bag of blood they just donated.
Two blood bank technicians comfort a brown dog who is in the process of donating blood.
Two blood bank technicians pose happily with a brown dog while holding up the bag of blood the dog just donated.
A white dog sits on a dock with their tongue hanging out.
A brown dog sits in the grass wearing an orange bandana that says "Clemson."
A long-haired orange cat lays on a cat tower.
A brown dog sits next to the bag of blood they just donated.
A golden retriever dog sits next to the bags of blood they just donated.
A grey and white dog sits on the floor with a bandage around it's arm from where he donated blood.
A brown and white dog wearing a bandana that says, "I'm a hero" sits next to the bag of blood they just donated.
A black and white dog wearing a bandana that says, "I'm a hero" sits next to the bag of blood they just donated.
A white cat with brown patches sits politely and looks at the camera.
A tabby cat lays on a couch with its front limbs dangling over the edge.
A black dog wears a bandana that says "I'm a hero."
A black dog wearing a harness has its tongue hanging out.
A blood bank technician smiles with a golden retriever dog nuzzling its head under her chin.
A golden retriever sits while wearing a bandana that says, "I'm a hero."
A golden retriever sits on an exam table next to a smiling blood bank technician during a donation appointment.
A golden retriever dog lays on an exam table while wearing a bandana that says, "I'm a hero."
A large black and grey dog with its tongue out sits while wearing a bandana that says, "I'm a hero."
A small black dog with its tongue out sits on the grass while wearing a bandana that says, "I'm a hero."
A black dog wearing a harness has a bandage on his leg from where he donated blood.

Meet our team.

Shannon Graham

DVM
Emergency Medicine
Servicing Locations
BluePearl Pet Hospital Mount Pleasant, SC
BluePearl Pet Hospital Summerville, SC
On The Job

Dr. Shannon Graham finds toxicology, internal medicine and ophthalmology the most gratifying to perform.

Education
  • Internship, Veterinary Ophthalmology, Animal Eye Institute, Cincinnati, OH
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Carolina Veterinary Specialty Care, Charlotte, NC
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL
  • Bachelor of Science, Animal Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC
Off Duty

Dr. Graham enjoys running and hiking with her dog, Cora, cheering on her teams, the Clemson Tigers and Cleveland Browns, and meeting friends for brunch or happy hour at local Charleston restaurants. She has fostered over 60 puppies until adoption and only “foster failed” once, which is how she got Cora 10 years ago.

Aubrey Hirsch

DVM, DACVIM
Board-Certified in Veterinary Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine
Servicing Locations
BluePearl Pet Hospital Mount Pleasant, SC
On The Job

Dr. Aubrey Hirsch is passionate about internal medicine with special interests in infectious disease, hematologic disease, hepatobiliary disease and clinical pharmacology.

Education
  • Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
  • Residency, Small Animal Internal Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan
Off Duty

Dr. Hirsch and her husband love living in Charleston, especially when they take their three dogs to the beach. She enjoys doing anything outside in the sun, including running, biking or lounging on a patio with good food and drinks.

Aly Maxwell

LVT
Blood Bank
Servicing Locations
Blood Bank
On The Job

Aly Maxwell has worked with animals her entire life, starting by volunteering with a local rescue in high school, which led to earning her bachelor’s degree in veterinary science. She has always loved emergency medicine and was drawn to Blood Bank when it began in our hospital because she believes “happy medicine” is the best medicine.

Off Duty

In her free time, Aly enjoys yoga, gardening, live music and spending time with her family, spouse, cat (Gloria) and dog (Charlie).

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.