First animal canine blood donor clinic on P.E.I. set for Jan. 6

P.E.I.’s first canine blood drive will take place early in 2021.

The animal canine blood donor clinic will be held on Jan. 6 at the New Perth Animal Hospital, 3188 Georgetown Rd., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pet owners are encouraged to register in advance by calling the clinic at 902838-1800. However, walk-ins are also welcome on Jan. 6.

“Canines are the highest demand right now,” said Ron McConnell, who is with the Emergency Animal Response Team (EART), adding that one donation can be used in two or three applications to help dogs in distress.

Hosted by the Canadian Animal Blood Bank, the clinic will help replenish the supply of blood products made available to veterinarians across the Maritimes and beyond.

The donation process only takes a few minutes, and the owner is present.

Donated blood is processed into its components, similar to human blood, and is made available to veterinarians across Canada.

As with human blood, the donated product has a shelf life, and the inventory must be constantly replenished.

Established in 1996 in Winnipeg, the Canadian Animal Blood Bank is a registered charitable organization. CABB relies exclusively on pet owners who volunteer their animals for the clinics.

This clinic has been organized by P.E.I.-based Emergency Animal Response Team (EART) volunteer Mary Ritchie, a registered veterinary technician and the donor recruitment director for the Canadian Animal Blood Bank. She can be reached by phone at 902-838-4675.

Anyone interested in more information about EART can contact 902-439-2262 or 902-954-1287, emergencyanimalresponseteam@gmail.com or on Facebook at Emergency Animal Response Team or visit emergencyanimalresponseteam.com.