Attitudes of dog owners in Edinburgh towards canine blood donation

What is it about?

The Pet Blood Bank, the only national charity animal blood bank in the UK, estimates that demand for blood products is increasing by 25% annually[1]. However, increasing demand is not matched by increasing donations [2]. This study aimed to determine owners’ perceptions of canine blood donation (CBD).

A questionnaire was created to assess previous awareness of CBD, reasons for either donating or not donating and motivation for future donation in both previous donors and non-donors. 

From 88 replies received, nine were incomplete and therefore excluded. Most respondents (67%) were aware of CBD prior to the study, most often previous work in the veterinary profession (31%). 

Seventy-six respondents (96%) owned dogs who had previously not donated blood. Reasons for not donating were not knowing where to take their dog to donate (28/76), distance (1/76), veterinarians not expressing the need for donors (27/76) and lack of awareness of CBD (26/76). Lacking information on the process was cited by 27/76, with not wanting to cause stress (18/76) or dog not fitting donor criteria (19/76) also reported. Few owners reported fear of other complications. 

In previous non-donors, the most common incentives to donate were more information regarding the donation process (45/76), altruism (42/76) and if a friend or family member’s dog required transfusion (30/76). Incentives for future donation in previous donors (n=3) were altruism (100%), free health check (66.7%) and more convenient donation sites (66.7%).

Interestingly, of the 53 respondents who were previously aware of CBD, only seven (13.2%) discovered CBD via a veterinary clinic.

Free health checks were highly rated by both owners of previous donors and non-donators. An annual health screen is a mandatory part of donor selection[6] so information emphasising this may increase donor recruitment. 

No respondents cited ethical, religious or personal reasons for non-donation. The term ‘donor’ is debatable, as the dogs themselves do not consent to the procedure[3]. There is no benefit to donor dogs in donation [4] but there are risks such as immediate or delayed haemorrhage [5], presenting a welfare dilemma for veterinarians. Decisions regarding CBD may have complex links to altruistic aims [3].

A proportion of owners concerned about stress in donors and low numbers of owners citing possible complications as reasons for non-donation suggest further education of owners is required.

This local study has identified some reasons for a lack of canine blood donors and also some lack of knowledge amongst dog owners. Altruistic reasons were more likely to encourage donation than other incentives. 


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