Video: Animal blood banks low on supply

Larger screen

SEATTLE - If you have a pet you know they are an important part of the family. That's why when a pet is critically ill or injured, just like humans, they can need a blood transfusion.

ACCES Blood Bank is one of only two animal blood banks in Western Washington. Right now, the demand is outstripping the supply.

ACCES has 45 active dog and cat donors, but they need about three times that.

Chili the dog is one of those faithful donors. His blood helped save the life of Luna. Luna had broken a tooth and may have gotten into rat poison. She'd lost so much blood, a transfusion was the only way to save her.

In 2007, ACCES supplied blood for 300 dog and cat transfusions, for everything from car accidents to complications from cancer. But ACCES is barely able to supply blood products for their own animal hospital and they're hoping to grow into a non-profit organization that can help supply blood to other animal hospitals.

That's why ACCES needs more Seattle-area donors like chili. His owner, Sharon Colvin, says chili means so much to her. It's rewarding to know that together, they're helping to save the lives of other pets.

"He's been in seven times and donated blood," said Colvin.

"You think about how few people donate blood and then to do that with your dog seems like such a generous thing," said Sandra Olson, dog owner.

Dog donors must be healthy, between one and five years old and must weigh over 55 pounds. Likely universal donors include greyhounds, boxers, Irish wolf hounds, German Shepherds, Dobermans and pit bulls.

For more information contact ACCES Blood Bank at 206-364-1660.