Published: 13 Jun 2025 | Last Updated: 13 Jun 2025 12:00:07

This World Blood Donor Day, the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is celebrating animals that contribute to its innovative Blood Donor Programme who help save the lives of hundreds of much-loved pets each year.

The RVC’s registered charity, the RVC Animal Care Trust, which has supported the Blood Donor Programme since 2012, has bestowed a canine and feline blood donor “Blood Donor of the Year” award in recognition of their generous, life-saving donations.

This year, the canine award has been given in memory of Axel, a joyful German Shepherd who proudly donated blood 17 times throughout the course of his life. Originally from Essex, Axel helped many fellow dogs, including Dante, an 8-year-old King Charles Cavalier, who received successful life-saving heart surgery with the support of Axel’s donation.

Axel’s legacy now lives on through his 2-year-old son Bracken, who is also a blood donor as well as his owner’s other dog, Winter, a 4-year-old Golden Retriever, and two Siamese cats, Ascari and Imola, who are all part of the programme.

 Bev Jackson, Axel and Bracken’s owner, said:

“Axel winning the award is such a proud moment. We miss him dearly, so to know his donations have helped save the lives of many other dogs is a source of huge comfort for our family.

“Axel adored going for his donations. The team always looked after him, and Ruby, an RVC Veterinary Nurse, became a very special person to him. They would treat him to his favourite ham, a meal afterwards and of course lots of cuddles and attention. We have become firm friends with them, and they feel part of the family. Axel’s memory now lives on in our other pets, with his son Bracken already giving his first donation.

“The work of the Blood Donor team is just so crucial to the workings of the RVC and the lives of the patients. Giving blood is such a simple process for the dog, they love it, and it makes such a difference to the lives of so many – we always encourage others to sign up too.”  

This year’s feline winner is Theo, a six-year-old Maine Coon based in Hertfordshire. To date, Theo has given 11 blood donations needed for essential transfusions, including for Micah, a 12-year-old Moggie crossbreed, and Pebble, a 2-year-old British Short Hair. They both needed critical operations and have since made full recoveries.

The RVC was the first veterinary centre in the UK to have a dedicated veterinary transfusion medicine service. The service provides a vital resource to dogs and cats when they need it most.

Kat Pearson, Theo’s owner, said:

“We're very proud of Theo and feel very happy that he's making a difference in helping provide the valuable blood stocks that are needed to save the lives of other people's beloved pets. He always takes donating in his stride and seems completely unfazed by it, so we were so pleased to see him recognised in this way. We're always told how happy he is throughout his blood donations - he purrs throughout!”

Each year, those involved in the blood donor programme save and treat hundreds of other pets by donating their blood to be used in operations and procedures at the RVC Queen Mother Hospital for Animals. This includes open-heart surgery and emergency and critical care patients, as well as those being treated for immune-mediated diseases and cancer. Donated blood from smaller canine donors is also used to produce serum eye drops for ophthalmic patients suffering from corneal injuries such as ulcerations or cat scratches.

Since its inception in 2004, thanks to the brave feline and canine donors, the RVC’s blood donor programme has helped save thousands of critically ill animals. In the last two years, there have been 987 donations.

Charlotte Russo, Head of Transfusion Medicine Nurse at the RVC, said:

“It is thanks to the kind donations of our Blood Donor families and superhero cats and dogs such as Theo and Axel, that the service has been able to ensure the Queen Mother Hospital has the essential blood it needs to support the wide range of complex and life-saving operations and treatments that take place here every day.

“Our team cannot thank participants enough for all they do, and we are always looking to welcome more donors so we can continue to support as many of our much-loved furry friends as possible.”

If you think your pet could be an RVC superhero, please contact the RVC Blood Donor team for further information: https://www.rvc.ac.uk/pet-blood-donations

Notes to Editors

For media enquiries, please contact:

• The press team at rvc@plmr.co.uk
• Press Line: 0800 368 9520

About the RVC

• The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is the UK's largest and longest established independent veterinary school and is a Member Institution of the University of London. 
• It is one of the few veterinary schools in the world that hold accreditations from the RCVS in the UK (with associated recognition from the AVBC for Australasia, the VCI for Ireland and the SAVC for South Africa), the EAEVE in the EU, and AVMA (probationary) in the USA and Canada. 
• The RVC is ranked as the top veterinary school in the world in the QS World University Rankings by subject, 2025. 
• The RVC offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing and biological sciences. 
• The RVC is a research-led institution, with 88% of its research rated as internationally excellent or world class in the Research Excellence Framework 2021. 
• The RVC provides animal owners and the veterinary profession with access to expert veterinary care and advice through its teaching hospitals and first opinion practices in London and Hertfordshire. 

About The Animal Care Trust

• The RVC Animal Care Trust (ACT) is the RVC’s registered charity and has been raising funds for the RVC’s hospitals, research and students since 1980. · https://www.rvc.ac.uk/act