A greyhound from Essex who races her owners into the donor suite, and a quietly heroic London cat, have been crowned the Royal Veterinary College’s blood donors of the year, as the programme marks World Blood Donor Day.
A six-year-old greyhound named Anna and an eight-year-old cat called Harriet have been honoured for their life-saving generosity, as the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) celebrates the pets at the heart of its Blood Donor Programme.
To mark World Blood Donor Day, the RVC’s registered charity, the RVC Animal Care Trust, has recognised one dog and one cat each year as exceptional donors drawn from its community of volunteers. These animals help to save and treat hundreds of pets through donations used at the RVC Queen Mother Hospital for Animals.
This year’s canine winner, Anna, hails from Romford in Essex and has made 10 donations since joining the programme in 2022. She lives with her owners Peter and Denise Dillon, and is the eighth greyhound the couple have owned. At home she is happiest asleep in her armchair, a peace broken only by the occasional bout of “mad zoomies” around the garden. Yet for all her relaxed temperament, Anna could hardly be keener when an appointment beckons.
Her owners said they could scarcely believe the news.
“To say that we were surprised and delighted to hear of the award for Anna would be the understatement of the year,” said Peter and Denise Dillon.
“When we arrive for a session and we think it would be a good idea for a walk on the grass, she doesn’t agree and pulls us straight into reception. On arrival in the centre, she has a quick tour of the room then jumps onto the table, lays down and looks up as if to say ‘what are we waiting for’.
“The team always generate a relaxed and calming atmosphere and are obviously very happy in what they do.”
The feline honour goes to Harriet, a domestic shorthair from north London, who has given 12 donations since joining the programme in 2021. She was first introduced to the scheme through Simon Cook, Senior Lecturer in Emergency and Critical Care at the RVC, who recognised the ongoing need for more pet blood donors.
Described by her owners as “very quiet and rather reserved”, Harriet takes the whole business in her stride and particularly enjoys the calm of the purpose-built donor centre.
“We’re all very honoured that Harriet is being rewarded in this way. As animal lovers, it is great to know she has been able to help really sick cats that are in difficulty,” said Nick and Anne Cook, Harriet’s owners.
“The Blood Donor Team are marvellous. So dedicated and always really friendly and communicative. If you are an animal lover, please consider enrolling your cats or dogs to the RVC Blood Donor Programme. They will be helping other beloved family pets.”
Since its launch in 2004, the RVC Blood Donor Programme has helped to save thousands of critically ill animals through the generosity of canine and feline donors and their families. In the past year alone, the programme supported 324 donations for pets requiring urgent and life-saving treatment, with the blood and blood components used to provide more than 700 transfusions.
The RVC was the first veterinary centre in the UK to establish a dedicated veterinary transfusion medicine service. Today, donated blood supports a wide range of procedures at the RVC Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, including emergency and critical care, surgery, and treatment for cancer and immune-mediated diseases. With more than 120 dogs and 60 cats taking part, the scheme continues to play a vital role in providing life-saving care when pets need it most.
Dr Karen Humm, Professor in Transfusion, Emergency Critical Care Medicine at the RVC, paid tribute to the owners who make the work possible.
“Our voluntary blood donor programme is totally reliant on the goodwill of local pet owners bringing their pets for blood donations. We are so grateful to each and every one of them. They are our superheroes!” she said.
“All donors are given free health checks and full blood screening annually free of charge. We also give donors a special blood donor tag in recognition of their support.”
The RVC Blood Donor Team is always seeking more cats and dogs to begin donating and help save lives. To find out whether a pet could become a donor, visit https://www.rvc.ac.uk/small-animal-vet/specialist-referrals/for-pet-owners/pet-blood-donations.
