Dogs & Cats can donate blood
As the only integrated specialist and 24/7 emergency vet hospital on the Northern Beaches, SASH utilises a large amount of blood products to perform life-saving procedures.
What is an emergency hospital?
A veterinary emergency hospital is a medical facility that provides urgent care for animals experiencing serious, life-threatening, or sudden health problems outside regular veterinary hours.
These hospitals operate 24/7 to offer immediate diagnosis, treatment, and stabilisation of emergencies such as severe injuries, poisoning, difficulty breathing, or other critical conditions.
They are equipped with specialised equipment and staffed by veterinary professionals trained in emergency and critical care to ensure animals receive prompt and effective treatment in urgent situations.
Veterinary uses for blood
Blood products are precious and lifesaving. The SASH Blood Bank is a specialist-led service, unique to the Northern Beaches.
Donating at SASH means a high standard of care for your heroic pet and ensures their blood will always be put to good use.
What is a veterinary specialist?
A veterinary specialist is a veterinarian who has the most advanced training and expertise in a specific area of animal health beyond general veterinary practice.
These specialists intensive training in a particular field. Examples of veterinary specialties include neurology, cardiology, dermatology, and internal medicine.
They provide expert diagnosis, treatment, and care for complex or specific medical conditions in animals.
Blood can be used for treating:
- Autoimmune diseases
- Physical injuries
- Surgical complications
- Various types of cancer
- Poisonings
- Snake bite
- Kidney injuries
Symbols of gratitude
By donating to SASH Northern Beaches, your pet will receive a gift pack including:
- Blood Donor Hero Certificate
- A large bag of premium pet food
- Premium Parasite Prevention – provided by Elanco
- Health check and screening diagnostics by a specialist in Internal Medicine
Gratitude to the following donors
- Fig the greyhound from Manly
- Ducky the boxer x American bulldog from Brookvale
- Ollie the Border collie from Dee Why
- Nala the German coolie from Belrose
- Barty the whippet from Frenchs Forest
- Paris the Hungarian vizsla from East Lindfield
- Bonnie the Staffy x from Mona Vale
- Lottie the golden retriever from Manly Vale
- Lenny the wirehaired vizsla from Freshwater
- Banjo the Bernese mountain dog from Killarney Heights
- George the Labrador from Queenscliff
Donation criteria
If you are interested in donating, please review the following criteria.
Dog donor criteria
- Is healthy and up-to-date with vaccinations, heartworm prevention and worming
- Is aged between 1-7 years old
- Weighs at least 17kg (although over 25 kg is ideal) and is not overweight
- Has a friendly and obedient demeanour
Did you know?
Dog blood can be given to cats in an emergency setting. While not ideal, this approach has saved many cats lives. Cats being cats, they do not reciprocate!
Cat donor criteria
- Has good disposition
- Weighs at least 4 kg. Not overweight
- Between 1 to 8 years of age
What to expect during donation
We understand that pet owners are taking time out of their busy schedules to help us, so we want to ensure that we are flexible and find solutions that work for you. Owners will be contacted to discuss a mutually agreeable time.
On the day of donation, you are welcome to drop off your pet with us, so you can go about your busy day. We will take exceptional care of your cherished pet with plenty of cuddles, pats, and yummy treats.
Donations themselves only take approximately 15 minutes. Depending on your pet’s personality, they may not require sedation. Details around the donation process can be viewed in the video below.