Old Stopfordian and Former Governor, Harvey Locke BVSc MRCVS (OS 1964), featured on BBC Breakfast last week to discuss the importance of pet blood donation and the life-saving charity Pet Blood Bank UK, of which he is Trustee.  

In his interview Veterinary Surgeon and past president of the British Veterinary Association, Harvey, noted the urgent need for pet blood donation:

Thousands of lives have been saved thanks to the generosity of pet owners and their donor animals, however, it is challenging to maintain blood supplies with demand and lives could be tragically lost as a result.

I’m appealing to a nation of animal lovers and asking people to consider if their dog could make a suitable donor.  Owners should think of the huge difference they could make to another family whose pet is in need of a life-saving transfusion.

About Pet Blood Bank UK Charity

Pet Blood Bank UK was established on 5th March 2007 and launched at Crufts that week and the first unit of blood was dispatched on 8th March 2007.

It is the first and only charity of its kind that provides a canine blood bank service – giving the veterinary profession quick and easy access to life saving blood.

As part of its charitable remit, Pet Blood Bank UKs aim is to advance animal health and welfare and to relieve suffering by providing quick and convenient access to blood.

Pet Blood Bank UK hold regular blood collection sessions across the country, similar to the human blood donation service.  The sessions are held in veterinary practices 4 to 5 times per week.

Last year the charity held over 300 collection sessions in total and over 3000 units of whole blood were collected. It is planned to increase the number of collection sessions to help meet the increasing demand for canine blood products.

Who can donate?

There are many different breeds that donate and, as long as they fit the donor criteria, both mixed and pedigree dogs can become donors.

The criteria for donating are:

• Happy and healthy with a good temperament
• 1 to 8 years of age
• Over 25kgs
• Fully vaccinated
• Not travelled abroad
• No significant medical conditions
• Microchipped

Demand for blood

Over 5000 dogs need a blood transfusion each year and the demand for blood is continually rising as veterinary medicine advances. There is a continual demand for blood. People sometimes do not realise that dogs need blood transfusions to get better, similar to humans.

As well as being given to dogs that have been in accidents and lost a lot of blood, it is also needed for dogs suffering from anaemia, cancer or autoimmune diseases.

A transfusion is invariably life saving, so more and more vets are now carrying out transfusion medicine. A blood transfusion can mean that animal really can make a full recovery.

We are constantly trying to raise awareness that dogs can be a lifesaver by donating. Every unit of blood donated can save up to four other lives.

Pet Blood Bank has over 10000 registered donors but, with many of our longstanding lifesavers now reaching the age of retirement, we are facing a real shortage of donors. So we always need more owners to volunteer to register their dog as a blood donor.

It is very easy to register your dog either by going on to the website at www.petbloodbankuk.org or by phoning 01509 232 222 or asking your local vet how to register. There is likely to be a donation session quite local to where you live.

About Harvey

After leaving Stockport Grammar School in 1964, Harvey graduated from Liverpool University in 1969 and worked in clinical practice until his retirement from full time work in 2011.

During his veterinary career he was the founding partner of Woodcroft Veterinary Group, which is now a 26 vet small animal hospital practice in Stockport offering first opinion, referral and emergency clinic services.

Harvey is a past President of British Small Animal Veterinary Association and has served on numerous BVA and RCVS committees. He is also a past Vice President of the Union of European Veterinary Practitioners and was President of the British Veterinary Association in 2010-2011.

Harvey is proud that his daughter Helen (OS 2004) has followed him into the profession and now works at Woodcroft Veterinary Group.

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