LIVE: Donors Needed for Pet Blood Bank

FARGO – In every show, we take a moment to remind you of the critical human blood bank shortages in our region.

Now, there’s a new kind of blood need emerging, and you and your furry family members can help.

The Red River Animal Emergency Hospital is starting a blood bank for dogs and cats.

And to do it, they need donor pets.

They’re looking for young, healthy cats and dogs, one to six years old.

From dogs, they’ll take about 450 millileters of blood, so small breed dogs under fifty pounds should not donate.

Pets should also have an easy-going disposition, since they’ll need to lay quietly on their side while blood is drawn.

If you have a greyhound, RRAEH workers say, they especially need your help.

Dogs, like humans, have different blood types.

Greyhounds have Rh-negative blood, which means any dog can get a blood transfusion of their blood.

Cat blood is also in high demand, and donor cats should be over 10 pounds.

And demand for both cat and dog blood tends to soar in the warmer months.

RRAEH Blood Bank Coordinator Kailey Martinson and donor dog Berkley joined the Morning Show to talk about the new pet blood bank and why it make the difference between life and death for animals just like yours.

For more information about how you and your pet can help:

bloodbank@rraeh.com