Animal blood bank needs donors

From the ARIZONA DAILY STAR | By Kimberly Matas | July 19, 2005

Tucson-based Murphy's Blood Bank needs feline donors.

Arizona's first animal blood bank opened in April and relies on owners volunteering their pets to donate blood. The blood is supplied to veterinarians in Southern Arizona who need blood products immediately and can't wait for them to be shipped from out of state.

Cat donors must be healthy indoor pets between the ages of 2 and 10, current on vaccines, taking no medications, spayed or neutered, and weighing at least 8 pounds. Females who have ever been pregnant do not qualify.

Each cat receives a free, comprehensive physical, blood typing and blood testing. Within a year of donation, cats will receive free blood products if necessary. They also will receive a blood donor identification tag, free microchipping and discounts on flea- and tick-control products.

The bank also needs healthy canine donors weighing at least 45 pounds that are sterilized, have never been pregnant and are between 1 and 8 years old. Benefits for dogs are similar to those that cats receive.

Pet owners interested in scheduling an appointment for blood testing and physicals can call Central Animal Hospital veterinarian Michael Samuels at 323-9912.

Get dog washed to help Greyhound Rescue

Arizona Greyhound Rescue is having a Doggie Spa fund-raiser from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday.

Dogs of all breeds are welcome at the Midtown dog wash in the Fit Center parking lot, 5555 E. Fifth St., east of Craycroft Road. Baths are $10, nail trims cost an additional $10, or pet owners can get both services for $15.

For more information about the dog wash, call 886-7411. Go to www.azgreyhoundrescue.org to see dogs available for adoption.

Animal lovers who have no pets that need washing can dine out to benefit greyhound rescue.

Between 5 and 8 p.m. on Aug. 9, anyone presenting an Arizona Greyhound flier at the Sweet Tomatoes restaurant near the Tucson Mall, 4420 N. Stone Ave., will have 15 percent of his or her total bill donated to the rescue group. Copies of the flier can be found on the Greyhound Rescue Web site.