Following a life-threatening incident involving a Colorado Springs police dog last fall, local pet owners are stepping up to support a growing need for canine blood donations. One such volunteer is Chunk, a healthy dog recently approved as a blood donor at North Springs Veterinary Emergency and Specialty, where an animal blood bank now plays a crucial role in saving lives.

The heightened awareness stems from the case of K-9 Roam, a Colorado Springs Police Department dog who survived a stabbing last autumn. The emergency underscored the critical importance of having blood products readily available for veterinary use. Since then, North Springs Veterinary has seen increased interest in its donor program.

Aly Evans, Chunk’s owner, said she was inspired to enroll her dog as a donor after learning about the scarcity of canine blood in emergency situations. “I just wanted to help,” Evans shared, echoing the growing sentiment among local pet owners. Her dog met the program’s requirements: between two and eight years old and weighing over 50 pounds.

Dr. Mark Sutton, a veterinarian at North Springs, noted that while emergencies like K-9 Roam’s are high-profile, the majority of blood products are actually used for treating chronic conditions in dogs. These can include anemia, cancer treatments, and autoimmune diseases, all of which require consistent access to blood supplies.

Sarah Masias, the blood bank manager at the facility, emphasized the need for more participants. “We rely on the community,” she said, encouraging other pet owners to consider enrolling their dogs. To incentivize participation, North Springs offers a range of benefits for donor pets, including an annual blood workup valued at $600, along with a $75 credit or pet food following each donation.

The animal blood bank at North Springs Veterinary has become a vital resource, not only for emergency cases like K-9 Roam’s but also for ongoing medical care provided to dogs across the region. As the demand continues, veterinary staff hope more pet owners will follow Evans and Chunk’s example.

For now, the blood donor program remains open and actively seeks qualified dogs to ensure the health and safety of pets throughout Colorado Springs.