BY OLIVIA WILSON-WHEELER
The Animal Referral and Emergency Centre (AREC) in Broadmeadow is appealing pet owners to register their pets to donate blood.
The centre is the Hunter’s only fully staffed 24/7 animal hospital, and rely on voluntary donations.
Emergency blood transfusions are needed for many pets so the hospital also has a register where owners can volunteer for patient emergencies.
According to Dr Wendy Fisher, CEO and Vet at AREC, “There are a variety of disease processes that can cause bleeding or the need for blood in both cats and dogs.”
“Although we do have access to some stored blood products that we can order in that lasts for a period of time, there’s always an urgent need for blood.”
“So we basically require a list of donors, people that are happy for us to call them to bring their pet in so we can collect blood which will basically save another pet’s life.”
Both cat and dog donations are needed.
There are strict criteria for donations, check your pet’s eligibility and/or register
here
.
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Successful blood transfusion recipient Max. PHOTO: AREC |