Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about pet blood donation
Important Note
Yes, please register your pet even if they're not vaccinated! Veterinarians are the experts who evaluate each emergency situation. In life-threatening situations, they make the final decision about whether to request blood donation, regardless of vaccination status. By registering, you're giving them more options to potentially save an animal's life in an emergency.
Together We Save Lives
Every pet registered is a potential hero
Basic Questions
Yes! Animals have blood types too, but they're different from human blood types. For cats, the main blood types are A, B, and AB. For dogs, the most important is DEA 1, which can be either Positive or Negative. Just like humans, matching blood types is crucial for safe transfusions.
Currently, KravDonor accepts registrations for dogs and cats only. These are the animals most commonly needing blood transfusions in veterinary emergencies. As our network grows, we may expand to include other animals in the future.
Yes, please register your pet even if they're not vaccinated! Veterinarians are the experts who evaluate each emergency situation. In life-threatening situations, they make the final decision about whether to request blood donation, regardless of vaccination status. By registering, you're giving them more options to potentially save an animal's life in an emergency.
Yes, register your pet! Many pets with past health conditions can still donate. The veterinarians handling emergencies will assess the situation and determine if your pet is suitable for that specific case. They consider many factors including the urgency of the need and your pet's current health status. Don't disqualify your pet - let the experts make that decision when the time comes.
Yes, blood donation is very safe for pets when done by qualified veterinary professionals. The amount taken is small relative to their body weight, and pets recover quickly. They receive proper care and monitoring throughout the process. Many pets are back to their normal activities within hours of donation.
Process & Requirements
The ideal donor age is between 1-8 years for cats and 1-7 years for dogs. However, younger and older pets can still be registered. Veterinarians will evaluate each situation individually. Even if your pet is outside the ideal range, they might still be suitable in certain emergency situations.
Yes, weight is important for safety. Generally, cats should weigh at least :cat_weight kg and dogs at least :dog_weight kg to donate safely. However, smaller pets can still register as they might be suitable for specific cases or as they grow. The veterinarian will make the final determination based on the recipient's needs and your pet's size.
If your pet matches a need, you'll receive an urgent contact with the location of the veterinary clinic. The donation process is similar to human blood donation - a small amount of blood is taken from a vein, usually taking about 10-20 minutes. Your pet will be monitored and may receive treats and care afterward. The entire process is safe and performed by trained veterinary professionals.
Dogs can typically donate every 6-8 weeks, and cats every 8-12 weeks. However, this depends on your pet's health and the veterinarian's assessment. Your pet's well-being is always the priority, and they'll only be called when it's safe for them to donate.
Common situations include accidents/trauma, surgery complications, anemia from various causes, poisoning, and certain diseases. Blood transfusions are often life-saving in these emergency situations. Without access to blood donors, many pets would not survive these conditions.
Other Important Questions
No, KravDonor is a voluntary platform. Donors don't receive payment - they're heroes helping save other animals' lives. However, your pet will receive free health checks and care during the donation process, and you'll have the satisfaction of knowing your pet helped save another animal's life. Additionally, one day your pet might need a blood transfusion and will rely on another pet to save its life.
The veterinarian will move to the next matching donor. That's why having many registered donors is so important - it ensures there are backup options available. You can update your contact information anytime through your KravDonor account. We recommend keeping your phone number current and having voicemail set up.
Absolutely! If you have multiple pets that meet the basic criteria, we encourage you to register each one. Each registered pet increases the chances of finding a match when needed. You can manage all your pets through a single KravDonor account.
Yes, you can remove your pet from the registry at any time through your KravDonor account. We understand that circumstances change, and you have complete control over your participation. You can also temporarily suspend your registration if you need a break.
Important Note
You should select the "Stray Animal" checkbox ONLY if: (1) This is YOUR pet but it came from the streets and you don't know their full health history, OR (2) This is a stray animal currently living outside AND you have the legal responsibility to make decisions about their care and well-being. IMPORTANT: Stray animals are NOT walking blood banks. Do not capture or register an animal you don't care for just for blood donation purposes. This checkbox is for caretakers of community animals or people who have rescued strays and are actively caring for them. Animals deserve dignity and proper care, regardless of their living situation.
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Join our community of heroes who are ready to help when animals need blood transfusions.
Register Your Pet as a Donor