Life's blood is pet project

If your dog or cat needs a blood transfusion, it might come from the Twin Cities Animal Blood Bank, which has been collecting blood from four-legged donors for more than two years.  Potential donors are screened to make sure they are healthy and their shots are up to date.

Since 1986, the South Metro Animal Emergency Care Center has been providing overnight and weekend care for animals south of the river. The Apple Valley Clinic treats animals suffering from a variety of ailments and injuries, ranging from intestinal blockages to cuts and broken limbs.

In May 2003, the clinic started the Twin Cities Animal Blood Bank.  Veterinary technicians Wendi Gifford and Vicki Wichmann-Miller started the blood-donation program after having to call California to get blood they needed for a patient.  The blood and plasma collected are used in the clinic and sold to veterinarians in the region.  It's the only animal blood bank in the area.

There are three types of cat blood, A, B, and AB, none of which are universal.  Among dogs there are 13 types; only one is universal.  To become a donor pets must go through a screening process to make sure they are healthy, up to date on their vaccines and have a good temperament.  Animals usually donate once every three months.

The benefits to a donor are a free health screening, miniature checkups each time they come in and also free blood if they ever need it.

For more information about the program, contact the Twin Cities Animal Blood Bank at (612) 750-1252.