{"id":16600,"date":"2019-09-10T20:21:24","date_gmt":"2019-09-10T10:21:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/veterinarycareers.com.au\/dev\/?p=16600"},"modified":"2019-09-12T11:38:31","modified_gmt":"2019-09-12T01:38:31","slug":"recognising-superheroes-new-rvc-awards-for-cat-and-dog-blood-donors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/veterinarycareers.com.au\/dev\/recognising-superheroes-new-rvc-awards-for-cat-and-dog-blood-donors\/","title":{"rendered":"Recognising superheroes – New RVC awards for cat and dog blood donors"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Photo Source RVC<\/p><\/div>\n

Recognising superheroes – New RVC awards for cat and dog blood donors<\/h1>\n

They say cats have nine lives, but the real superheroes are the animals who \u00a0provide blood donations.<\/p>\n

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Photo Source RVC – “Bertie”, a nine-year old golden retriever – “Canine Donor of the Year”<\/p><\/div>\n

Cats and dogs attending the Royal Veterinary College\u2019s (RVC) Blood Donor Programme have helped hundreds of animals involved in serious accidents, surgeries or suffering from serious diseases.<\/p>\n

The RVC is celebrating these unsung heroes by awarding \u2018Blood Donor of the Year\u2019 awards to two of its regular donors, Bertie and Atticus. These awards recognise the amazing contribution Bertie and Atticus have made in helping \u00a0to save countless lives and will be presented to them and their owners on 14th June – \u00a0World Blood Donor Day.<\/p>\n

Bertie, a nine-year-old golden retriever, has been a vital part of the RVC\u2019s Blood Donor Programme for the last eight years. He has a similar blood type to 60% of dogs in the UK (type DEA 1 Positive), and has kindly donated over 22 units to the RVC\u2019s small animal referral hospital. Blood provided by Bertie and other canine donors has been used for over 600 blood transfusions \u00a0each year at the RVC. Bertie is retiring this year and to note his contribution he has been awarded the \u2018Canine Donor of the Year\u2019 for his important efforts.<\/p>\n

Bertie\u2019s owner, Chris reveals: \u201cI\u2019ve always been a blood donor myself, so I really wanted my dog to help others like I do. I was around when Bertie was born, and he\u2019s always been very calm. I think that helps make him such a good donor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Atticus, a four-year- old cat, has also played an important role in the RVC\u2019s Blood Donor Programme since joining in 2016. The nine units of blood supplied by Atticus is blood type A, which is similar to 75% of cats in the UK. The RVC administers over 130 feline blood transfusions per year. In recognition, Atticus will be supplied with a \u2018Feline Donor of the Year\u2019 award.<\/p>\n

Atticus\u2019 owner, Olivia commented: \u201cMy first involvement with animal blood donations was through my work with Peaceful Pets \u2013 a charity for retired greyhounds. I got to know the RVC hospital team and then I brought Atticus along to donate after they explained how important feline blood donations are to their work. He becomes extra affectionate after each donation \u2013 I love it!\u201d<\/p>\n

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Photo Source RVC – “Atticus”, a four-year old cat – “Feline Donor of the Year”<\/p><\/div>\n

On this global awareness day, the RVC, which\u00a0 \u00a0currently runs Europe\u2019s busiest animal\u00a0 \u00a0hospital blood donor programme, also thanks\u00a0 \u00a0the hundreds of other animals who have\u00a0 \u00a0provided blood that has saved \u00a0lives. They also\u00a0 \u00a0encourage more cat and dog donors to come\u00a0 \u00a0forward.<\/p>\n

The RVC created its programme in 2005 in\u00a0 \u00a0response to high levels of demand for dog and\u00a0 \u00a0cat blood. This demand, which continually\u00a0 \u00a0increases year on year, is particularly important given the variety and complexities of the treatments offered at the RVC. For example, \u00a0treatments range from open-heart surgery to emergency and critical care, and from spinal surgery to cancer treatment.<\/p>\n

Dominic Barfield, Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care at the RVC, said: \u201cBlood saves lives, literally. We are indebted to the kindness and generosity of those wonder dogs and super cats and the fabulous people that look after them, as their gift of a blood donation means that other pets can live. We cannot thank them enough and our RVC blood donor team who make it all possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

The RVC would also like to thank the generosity of its supporters, who contribute towards the operational costs of the Blood Donor Programme. For example, Burns Pet Food, whose Founder, John Burns, said: \u201cAs a Veterinary Surgeon and advocate of animal welfare, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to be able to support a cause as worthy as the RVC blood transfusion service. I hope our donation will help many animals in need and this contribution will be the start of a great relationship.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Notes to Editors<\/h2>\n

For more information please contact:<\/p>\n