Grant boosts blood charity's free lifesaving work

DOGS treated by veterinary charities, including the PDSA, Blue Cross, and StreetVet, will

continue to receive access to lifesaving blood products at no cost after Pet Blood Bank UK secured a £5,000 grant from The Dian Plant Charitable Trust.

The funding will cover the cost of supplying blood products to veterinary charities free of

charge for one year, protecting a commitment Pet Blood Bank has upheld since 2019 at a

time when rising costs and reduced fundraising income have placed growing pressure on the charity.

Pet Blood Bank is the only national charity dedicated to providing a blood service for pets.

Last year, they collected over 3,500 units of blood and dispatched over 6,500 blood products to vets across the country.

Since the charity’s beginnings, over 17,000 dogs have donated blood to make this possible.

Every unit of blood a dog donates can help to save the lives of up to four other dogs.

Katrina Wilkinson, managing director of Pet Blood Bank UK, said: "When treating an animal, cost can be a serious consideration and some owners who rely on veterinary charities may be unable to afford access to blood for their pet, but they deserve the same chance of life as any other animal.

"We’re enormously grateful to The Dian Plant Charitable Trust for recognising this need and helping us to continue honouring this promise."

The support Pet Blood Bank receives from generous people and organisations, like the Dian Plant Charitable Trust, is what enables them to continue providing their lifesaving blood service for all vets across the UK.

To find out more about Pet Blood Bank UK, how to register your dog as a donor, or how to support the charity's work, visit www.petbloodbank.org

Established in 2025, The Dian Plant Charitable Trust was founded to honour the legacy of Dian Plant, a lifelong advocate for animal welfare.

As a grant-giving trust, it provides essential financial support to organisations and initiatives that promote the well-being of animals and uphold Dian’s compassionate vision.