Virginia Tech® home

Blood Bank

Blood Bank

Just like people can donate blood to help save lives, dogs and cats can do the same for other pets in need. Whether a pet is facing trauma, surgery, or serious illness, our blood donor program ensures safe, compatible blood is ready when every second counts. We are always looking for healthy dogs and cats to join our donor program and help give other pets a second chance.

Become a Donor
Dog laying on a gurney in an exam room.

Every life saved through a transfusion starts with a donor

Give your dog or cat the chance to save lives. We’ll take care of them every step of the way.

Benefits of joining our donor program:

  • Complimentary annual physical examination
  • Routine bloodwork and infectious disease screening at no cost
  • Annual vaccines included
  • Year-round flea, tick and heartworm prevention 

Dog requirements:

  • Healthy adults between 1-8 years old
  • Greater than 50 pounds
  • Calm and friendly

Cat requirements:

  • Healthy adults between 1-8 years old
  • Greater than 10 pounds
  • Friendly and easy to handle
  • Preferably indoor only
  • No history of pregnancy
Dog Donor Application →
Cat Donor Application →

Frequently Asked Questions

Donors are scheduled to visit the Veterinary Teaching Hospital on a rotating basis. All scheduled donations take place on Monday mornings.

In the event an emergency donation is required, donors will be contacted by phone to request immediate availability.

Owners will drop off enrolled pets on their scheduled Monday morning. Prior to each blood draw, each pet is given an examination by a veterinarian to ensure the animal is in good health.

Blood draws are conducted by a licensed veterinary technician and your pet is under supervision and care for the entire procedure and recovery.

Pets are able to go home the same day as the donation.

Just like in humans, your pet may be tired after a blood donation. We recommend using a harness to take your pet home to avoid irritating the draw site. Allow your pet to calmly rest for the remainder of the day.

Pets can return to regular activity the following day.

Meet the Team

Headshot of Laura Vega.

Laura Vega, DVM, MS, DACVECC

Clinical Assistant Professor, Emergency and Critical Care Medicine

Headshot of Melanie Gevedon, LVT.

Melanie Gevedon, LVT

Special Procedures and Blood Bank Veterinary Technician
bloodbank@vt.edu

In the news