A dog believed to be Kent’s most prolific blood donor is retiring after helping save dozens of canine lives.
Jaffa, a Bracco Italiano owned by Kayleigh Pettett from Upchurch, has helped to save the lives of up to 140 others by donating a mammoth 35 times.
Kayleigh, who is practice administrator at Newnham Court Veterinary Hospital in Maidstone, has had Jaffa since she was a puppy.
She will retire from donating next month when she turns nine.
Kayleigh, 40, said: “We are a blood sharing practice, so we stock blood so any practices in Kent are able to come and collect it if they need it.
“It’s a very much-needed thing in the veterinary industry but it’s just not very well-known by pet owners.
“It’s just nice where we can to get as many owners involved as possible.”
Jaffa, who has been donating since she was 14 months old, is DEA 1 positive.
Only about 30% of dogs eligible to donate in the UK have DEA 1 negative blood type, with demand for this variation being very high because it can be given to any dog in an emergency.
Pet Blood Bank UK is a Loughborough-based charity set up to support vets by providing a blood service for pets.
As well as the practice Kayleigh works at, the charity offers animal blood donation services at Barton Veterinary Hospital and Surgery in Canterbury, The Well House Veterinary Clinic in Tunbridge Wells, and Shrubbery Veterinary Surgery in Northfleet.
She said: “It does go through stages where there are shortages and then we need to do a little bit of a push and try and get as many donors as possible.
“Jaffa donates every eight weeks, so it’s a fair commitment. But it’s less than an hour of your time once you’re at the appointment. It’s well worth doing when you can.
“We’ve booked as many as we can over the years and as far as I’m aware she is the highest donor in the south east.”
The donated blood can be split up to four different products, so Jaffa’s blood has helped up to 140 dogs.
Her final donation will be in July, making her total 36 before she retires.
“I’m quite proud of her,” Kayleigh added. “If only they knew the effect they have when they’re able to donate blood.
“Obviously, she just has no idea. She loves the attention, the hugs, mainly the treats.
“She’s really chilled and I think that is part of her being able to donate.
“When she is at the sessions, the team is so lovely. She just falls asleep on the table because they’re constantly reassuring her. It’s not a stressful environment or situation at all.”
Tomorrow (June 14) is World Blood Donor Day and Kayleigh hopes Jaffa’s story will encourage more owners to register their pets with Pet Blood Bank UK.
To donate blood, dogs must be fit and healthy, aged between one and nine years old, weigh more than 25kg, have a good temperament, have never travelled outside the UK or Ireland, and not be taking any medication.
To find out more or to register a dog as a donor, click here.
Kayleigh added: “When we started, there were no sessions in Kent at all so we had to travel to Surrey.
“Now there’s a few different places across the county, so no matter where you are in Kent you’re not going to be travelling much more than half an hour to a session.
“It is such a great thing to do and we see so many owners and so many pets that are in need of it.
“I encourage people to get involved; for every five donations they hit a different milestone.
“She’s got a photo frame, a water bowl, a lead, a bottle, and every donation they get a new toy and a bag of treats.
“They get quite a bit from it, and it’s a great charity to get involved with.”
