A database of canine donors

Hope for Critters has launched a “Canine Blood Donor Programme” where it invites pet parents to sign up and volunteer during an emergency

If you are a pet parent and want your dog to become a blood donor to save their canine friends then register for this initiative by Hope for Critters.

The Chennai-based animal welfare organisation is running the “canine blood donor programme” to establish a registry of canine blood donors to address critical needs within the community.

Kirthana Raamsukaesh, founder, Hope for Critters, says they receive at least one call a day from a pet parent. “The number of donors registered with us does not match the number of calls we get, so we invite pet parents to register with us even if they are not in need now,” says Kirthana, a resident of R.A. Puram.

Like humans, dogs encounter severe injuries, need surgeries, and face other critical conditions that often require lifesaving blood transfusions. Currently, the availability of emergency blood for dogs is limited. “We cannot store blood for more than 24 hours, so when there is an emergency need, we call interested volunteers from our database,” says Kirthana.

As with humans, there must be a gap between every two blood donations. “We cannot ask our regular donors as a gap of at least two months is required,” she says.Canines have two major blood groups: DEA negative and DEA positive, the former is rare to find. “Of late, most of the requests that we have been getting are for DEA negative,” says Kirthana.

A series of tests are done to check if the dog is fit to donate blood. “Depending on the recipient’ weight, the blood is collected. Around 350 ml is what is generally needed,” says Kirthana. There is one requirement that this animal welfare organisation has for pet owners. “Please know your pet’s blood group. We have saved many pets that were in a critical condition by just connecting with the right donor,” she adds. Hope for Critters runs an animal shelter at Kannathur and a pet food bank in Thiruvanmiyur.

Visit the Instagram page @hopeforcritters to fill the google form.