Pooch Jack gives the gift of life

GILL Nuttall with her dog Jack, a black labrador blood donor

JACK is definitely a Labrador - or is he a blood hound?

Actually he's both having signed up to become a blood donor in a bid to help out his canine chums in crisis.

Jack is now not just man's best friend but also very much in demand from his sick and injured pooch pals as the need for the Pet Blood Bank UK grows.

Jack gave a pint of blood at a donation session held at the Vets Now Pet Emergency Hospital in Whitefield to celebrate his fifth birthday and the PBB's 10th.

It takes just minutes to do and because Jack's blood type is negative his generous gift is invaluable and will potentially help save the lives of four other dogs.

All the blood collected at the session will help over 30 others in desperate need.

With over 1,000 dogs needing a transfusion last year, and the development of transfusion medicine, the demand for blood continues to grow.

Jack's owner, Gillian Nuttall, said he takes his life-saving role very seriously and urged other dog owners to register their pets.

"Jack had a great day at Vets Now's Pet Emergency Hospital and absolutely loved the attention from the PBB team," said Gillian, founder and CEO of Shaw-based skin cancer charity Melanoma UK.

"Like most labs, he can be a bit of over-excited but as soon as he walks through the doors, it's like he realises he's got something serious to do and takes it all in his stride.

"I had never thought about dogs being able to donate. However, they need access to blood just like we do, for emergencies similar to ours.

Criteria

"People take the availability of blood for granted and when I realised that Jack could help his fellow canines, I registered us for a donation session.

"I would encourage anyone with a dog that fits the criteria to come forward as it's a great day full of treats and praise."

PBB is holding their next session at the Pet Emergency Hospital in three months' time and is appealing for large dog owners to register now to ensure the session is able to provide a lifeline to as many sick and injured dogs as possible.

At every appointment dogs receive a full health check, a goody bag containing "I'm a lifesaver" bandanna and a toy of their choice.

To donate, dogs must be fit and healthy, weigh more than 25 kilos, have a good temperament, should not have travelled abroad and be aged between one and eight years old.

To register, please visit www.petbloodbankuk.org or call 01509 232222.