Dogs and cats can be screened to see if they are able to give blood to help other pets that may lose blood through trauma or surgery.

April 10. Pets can need blood transfusion while being treated for trauma or for surgery.

The Blood Connection is urging pet owners to consider having their dog or cat donate blood.

Mobile blood drives will be held in Huntersville, Concord and Charlotte this month.

In celebration of National Pet Day on April 11, The Blood Connection’s “Be Paws-itive” campaign encourages people to donate blood with their community blood center and help local

animal shelters by donating their donor rewards to organizations like Hope Animal Rescue in North Carolina.

“Blood products are vital to the services we provide. We can treat many patients suffering from blood loss due to trauma, autoimmune diseases and toxicities,” said Irene Hodges, practice manager for Fetch. “The availability of blood products can be the single most important factor in a patient’s recovery and even survival.”

Many pet owners have never heard about the need for

animal blood donors. Just like the need for blood donors for human neighbors, animals rely on blood products every day for treatments and surgeries.

How to donate

TBC is encouraging more people to join the cause. TBC makes blood donation simple – donate at one of the 50-plus  mobile donation units, or in one of 14 donation centers.

The closest animal blood collection this month is in Huntersville on Friday, April 28. The mobile drive, sponsored by the

Lake Norman Huntersville Rotary Club, will be 8 am to 1 pm that day at the NorthStone Country Club, 15801 Northstone Drive.

Pet owners can make appointments here.

To find all places to donate blood, click here.

The Blood Connection is licensed and regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.