Become Another Pet’s Hero
Your dog or cat can be a hero and save the life of another pet by donating blood. Pets may need transfusions for a variety of reasons including trauma (hit-by-car), cancers, and anemia. Blood products are usually needed immediately. They are difficult to get and expensive to obtain and store, which is why we created our own blood bank.
VRCCO Hospital
62889 NE Oxford Ct.
Bend, Oregon 97701
541-209-6960
Directions
Meet Donors Thea + Jack
“It is such an easy way to help others… It is low-risk, relatively painless and without ill effects. Just like so many others, our pets mean everything to us. So, if there is a chance to save another person’s pet, the question should be why wouldn’t you donate?”
– Judi Kramer| Pet Parent
We first go through a screening process to make sure your pet is a suitable donor. That includes a general health exam by one of our internists, and then a series of blood tests. These are to assess general health as well as screen for any infectious disease that could be transmitted. A pet can give blood every 8-12 weeks. These may be a combination of scheduled donations to provide samples to be banked or possibly on-call for emergency donations in the event of a blood shortage. All dogs and cats are sedated for blood donation.
We provide initial and follow up physical exams, initial blood screening and annual follow up lab work. If a donor is ever unlucky enough to need a transfusion themselves, we provide free blood products to them. We also provide a thank you local businesses gift card for each donation. But most importantly, you and your pet get to help save a life.
There are a number of criteria that pets need to meet to be a donor. For dogs, they can be blood type DEA 1.1 negative or positive, we need both. They also need to be between 1-8 years old, over 50 pounds, healthy, tested negative for a list of potential infectious diseases, and ideally able to lie still for 10 minutes. Cats have similar requirements (between 1-8 years old and over 9 pounds) and need to be indoors.
You can call our main line (541-209-6960) to schedule an appointment with one of our internists to find out if your pet meets the requirements for blood donation.
More Ways to Give
Donate in honor of a loved one
with our Remembrance Fund.
Support our initiative to bring the best, most advanced care to Central Oregon.
Provide medical services to all
with our Care Fund.