Rescued Collie Gives Back and Saves Lives!

The idea for Twin Cities Animal Blood Bank (TCABB) began when an order for blood plasma (which then was shipped from California) requested by South Metro Animal Emergency Care Center in Apple Valley was delayed in a 14-week back order. In May of 2003, TCABB became a reality after two years of finding the necessary equipment, and extensive research into our areas need for a local blood bank.

Linda Dillon learned about the blood donor program "Paws Saving Paws" during the summer of 2002, at a pet event held at the Minnesota Zoo. The program had not yet been implemented at this point - they were just gathering interest. It was a year later when she heard that they would like to see her Collie, Asa, for an exam as a potential donor. Ultimately, Asa had the distinct honor of being the very first official doggie blood donor! During his first donation, he was featured in a Twin Cities television news broadcast on the local ABC affiliate about the blood donation program, where he quickly distinguished himself by burping on camera following his "after-donation" treat.

Linda states, "It’s amazing how well Asa sits for the donation. They have to get him up on the table, and he has to sit there during the procedure. He has showed absolutely no ill effects from the donation process."

As in humans, there are different blood types in dogs. The program was looking mostly for "Universal", which is what Asa contributes. The blood donation benefits dogs who are in dire need of transfusions. The first two times Asa donated, they called - the first time 10 minutes following a donation - to say that a dog had needed his blood due to ingesting rat poison and that Asa’s blood donation had saved the dog's life.

To qualify as a donor, a complete blood/health check is performed prior to accepting a dog into the program, and as an added benefit, your pet gets their blood work check done free of charge each year. The blood work information is then forwarded to your primary care vet. Also, if ever needed, your donating pet becomes eligible to receive blood from the blood bank free of charge. Asa’s donation visits are put on a rotation schedule of usually every 4 months or so. Being an emergency clinic, TCABB has fairly flexible hours.

For interested persons, the first step is to schedule an initial consultation and screening with TCABB - basically a meeting so your pet can meet the staff and get to know one another. Some of the requirements are that dogs must weigh at least 50 pounds, aged between 1 and 9, healthy, even tempered, and current on vaccinations (they also require a lyme disease vaccination).

Twin Cities Animal Blood Bank is located at 14690 Pennock Ave. in Apple Valley, MN through South Metro Animal Emergency Care in Apple Valley - phone: (952-953-3737). Because the facility is primarily an Emergency vet care facility, be patient to get to the correct voice mail box. Asa is truly a hero among dogs!