We're on a mission, and you can help.
As one of California's pioneering community-based pet blood banks, our mission at Animal Blood Center is to support our local communities. We’re dedicated to making a meaningful impact by providing essential resources to pets in need.
The Problem We're Here to Solve
There is a nationwide shortage of life-saving pet blood, and in California, the crisis is even more urgent.
Every day, emergency veterinarians struggle to source enough blood to save critically ill or injured pets. Unlike human hospitals, there isn't a widespread infrastructure to support community blood donation for animals. And in California, home to the largest population of pets in the United States, the gap between supply and demand is especially dire.
Most pet blood still comes from closed-colony facilities: where donor animals live in cages and donate repeatedly for years.
This outdated system is failing the very animals it's meant to protect. Pet blood is a vital, time-sensitive medical resource, and when there's not enough of it, animals suffer. Surgeries are delayed. Lives are lost. And the pet parents and veterinarians doing everything they can are left with limited, expensive options.
A New, Community-Powered Solution
California pet lovers and veterinarians no longer have to rely on closed-colony facilities. By tapping into the very communities we serve, Animal Blood Center is pioneering a truly local blood-banking model:
- Ethical sourcing – healthy, beloved pets volunteer on a regular schedule, without ever living in cages.
- Rapid responsiveness – donations delivered within 24–48 hours to Bay Area clinics.
- Shared ownership – every donor family and veterinary partner plays an active role in keeping our four-legged friends safe.
This community-first approach eliminates long waits, reduces costs, and restores dignity to the donation process—because life-saving blood should flow freely, and compassionately, from right next door.
The future of pet blood donation is local, compassionate, and community-driven.
With California’s recent legislation allowing community-based pet blood banks, we have an unprecedented opportunity to transform how life-saving blood products are sourced and shared.
At Animal Blood Center, we’re leading the charge—building a network of local pet donors so veterinarians never have to question where their next unit is coming from.
We believe pet blood should come from beloved pets, not captive colonies. By eliminating the need for animals to live in cages and donate repeatedly in isolation, we’re rewriting the standard of care and restoring dignity to the donation process.
This is more than a service—it’s a movement.
By working together, we can create a compassionate, responsive model that ensures blood is available when it’s needed most, without delay or compromise. It’s about giving every pet parent the chance to help save lives, and every veterinary team the resources to act fast in critical moments.
“I am very excited to see California take this step. Veterinarians regularly face a lack of lifesaving blood and blood products to respond to emergencies, leaving animals and families in deep — and avoidable — distress. With Gov. Newsom’s signature on AB 1282, California will reduce the suffering of many animals and the people who love them.”
– Dr. Jeannine Berger, veterinarian and senior vice president with the San Francisco SPCA
The Numbers at a Glance
1 in 3
pets will need a blood transfusion in their lifetime
< 1%
of eligible pets are
active blood donors
9M+
dogs in California, more than any other state
4
lives can be saved by a single donation
Our Commitment to Saving Lives
At Animal Blood Center, we believe pets deserve the same compassion and care as any other member of the family. The recent shift in California legislation allowing community-based blood banks has opened the door to a more ethical, humane, and effective model of pet blood donation, and we’re here to lead the way.
We are deeply committed to ending the stress and isolation faced by dogs confined in cages under the closed-colony system. Our mission is simple: to create a compassionate, community-driven network where blood donations come from happy, healthy pets who live at home and are loved.
By keeping blood sourcing local, we ensure veterinarians have timely, reliable access to lifesaving blood products—especially in emergencies. Together, we’re building a future where no pet suffers because of outdated systems or a lack of available blood.
We invite you to be part of this transformation. Join us in creating a more responsive, loving, and ethical approach to pet blood donation in California and beyond.
Donation Process
Wondering about the donation process? Here’s what you need to know about how often pets can donate and what to expect.
Connecting Hearts, Saving Lives
How It Works
🩸 Pre-Screening for Pet Donors
We begin with a thorough pre-screening process to ensure your pet is eligible and healthy enough to become a life-saving pet blood donor. This step is vital to ensure safety for both donors and the pets receiving blood.
🩺 Veterinary Evaluation
Our experienced veterinary team performs a physical exam to confirm your dog’s health and readiness for blood donation. We make sure every donor is treated with care, comfort, and compassion.
🐾 Donation
Once approved, your pet donates blood in a quick, safe process. Every canine blood donation helps provide critical blood products like whole blood, red blood cells, and plasma to pets in need across California.
🎉 Celebrate Your Hero Pup
After donating, we treat your dog like the hero they are—with cuddles, praise, and plenty of treats! They become a part of our growing pet donor community making a real difference.
WHAT'S IN IT
For You + Your Fur Baby
Complimentary Physical Exam
Completed by a veterinarian
Complete Blood Work Panel
Including red blood cell count, to evaluate overall health
Flea and Tick Prevention
Get your preventatives on us as an added bonus
Complimentary Nail Trimming
Who doesn't love getting their nails done?
1:1 Matching
Should your pet ever need blood in a future emergency, we'll match the amount you have donated
Swag
A cute lil bandana to show your hero status and make a fashion statement
Lots of Lovin's
Extra cuddles and treats during and after the donation
Social Media Shoutout
Get featured on our page for your heroic effort
Knowing You're Making a Difference
An update of what your pet's donation was used for
Frequently Asked Questions
Curious about pet blood donations? Here are some common questions we receive about dogs and cats donating blood.
Can dogs donate blood?
Yes, dogs can donate blood—and they’re true heroes when they do! Just like with humans, healthy dogs can give blood to help other pets in need. The process is simple, safe, and can save lives in emergency veterinary situations. Community pet blood donation is a compassionate way to give back.
How many blood types do dogs have?
Dogs have several blood types, but the most commonly referenced and most critical are DEA 1.1 positive and negative. Other types include DEA 3, 4, 5, and 7. Knowing a dog's blood type is essential for ensuring safe transfusions, especially in emergency care settings.
Is there a universal blood type for dogs?
While there’s no absolute “universal” donor in dogs like in humans, DEA 1.1 negative is considered the most universally compatible and is often preferred for transfusions. These donors are rare but vital to the pet blood supply chain because it can be given to almost any dog in an emergency.
What kind of blood types do cats have?
Cats have three main blood types: A, B, and AB. Type A is the most common, while type B is more frequent in certain purebred cats. Type AB is rare. Knowing your cat’s blood type is essential before any transfusion or blood donation. Compatibility is crucial, as cats must receive an exact match.
Is there a universal blood type for cats?
No—cats do not have a universal blood type. Even a single mismatch in feline transfusions can be dangerous, so proper typing and crossmatching is critical in feline transfusion medicine.
Where do emergency veterinarians get blood and blood products?
Most emergency vet clinics source blood from pet blood banks. Traditionally, this has come from closed-colony facilities. However, community-based pet blood banks like ours are emerging to provide ethical, local, and transparent alternatives.
Why is the community model so important?
The community model allows local pets that come from loving families and live normal lives to donate blood in a safe, voluntary way—helping other animals in their region. It strengthens relationships between pet owners, veterinarians, and local hospitals, while also reducing reliance on closed-colony systems.
Why is the demand higher than the supply?
Pet ownership is at an all-time high. With more pets receiving advanced medical care and emergency treatments, the demand for blood products is rapidly increasing. Unfortunately, supply hasn’t kept up—especially with only a few active pet blood banks nationwide. Spreading more public awareness and scheduling regular donations are the keys to closing this gap. That's why every donation matters.
What happens during the donation process?
During the donation, a trained veterinary team gently collects blood from your pet, typically in under 15 minutes. Your dog will rest comfortably, and we monitor them the whole time. It is completely painless and they are showered with affection, treats, and snuggles after. The experience is stress-free and compassionate. It's basically a spa day with purpose.
Is the donation process safe for my pet?
Yes, absolutely! Pet blood donation is safe and humane. Safety is our top priority. We follow strict veterinary protocols, use sterile equipment, and ensure your pet is relaxed and cared for. Many dogs even enjoy the extra treats and attention!
What is the impact of a donation?
A single blood donation from your dog can save up to four other pets. Whether it's during surgery, trauma, or illness, your dog’s donation can be the difference between life and loss. Your dog becomes a hero—changing lives and giving others a second chance.
Welcome to Our Mission
Meet the Founder
Erica | Founder & CEO
engineer by trade. builder by instinct.
lifelong animal lover.
Hi, I'm Erica! Before starting Animal Blood Center, I worked as a reliability engineer in big tech, where my job was simple in theory but complex in practice: identify where systems fail and design solutions so they don’t.
When I first learned how veterinary blood supply actually works, I realized something important, this isn’t a problem about curing cancer or inventing new medicine. It’s a supply chain problem. And supply chain problems are solvable.
Veterinary teams across the country perform extraordinary medicine every day, yet many still face uncertainty about whether lifesaving blood products will be available when patients need them most. Long backorders, limited sourcing options, and reliance on closed donor colonies revealed gaps that felt less like inevitabilities and more like systems waiting to be redesigned.
My engineering background taught me to look at reliability, scalability, and resilience. Instead of asking why things are this way, I began asking how they could work better: ethically, sustainably, and with the needs of veterinarians, pets, and families at the center.
I’m Florida-born, half Spanish, and deeply shaped by community, compassion, and the belief that big ideas start with caring enough to challenge the status quo. Animal Blood Center was built from that belief: that our pets deserve dependable care, veterinarians deserve dependable infrastructure, and innovation should serve both humanity and the animals we love.
Animal Blood Center isn’t just about blood products. It’s about building a system veterinarians can rely on: one rooted in transparency, ethical donation, and community participation.
Too often, treatment decisions are shaped not only by medical possibility, but by access, timing, and cost. When reliable blood supply is uncertain, families and veterinarians are forced into choices no one wants to make. I believe access to lifesaving care should never depend on whether supply failed before medicine had the chance to work.
I believe meaningful change happens when technical thinking meets heart. My goal is simple: create a future where no veterinarian has to wonder whether help will arrive in time, and no family loses hope because supply failed when care was ready.
Thank you for helping us build something better for our furry family members.
With purpose,
In Conversation On:
Think Brand. Talk Brand. – The Podcast
Hosted by Shivani | November 2025
In this episode of Think Brand. Talk Brand., Erica joins Shivani to discuss empathy-driven brand identity and the role of purpose in building trust. Drawing from her work as founder of Animal Blood Center, Erica shares insights on positioning mission-driven organizations, communicating complex issues with clarity, and building partnerships that create meaningful impact.
Join Our Cause
Become a part of our mission to save lives by donating blood or spreading the word. Every contribution counts!
In Compliance & Proudly Partnering With
We're always looking for aligned partnerships and collaborations that help expand our mission and amplify our impact. Whether you're a clinic, brand, rescue, or someone with a shared vision, we'd love to explore how we can work together to save more lives.