Meet Leo - he's donated to the Pet Blood Bank an incredible 11 times! His kindness is helping to save the lives of poorly pups, and we think he deserves all the biscuits in the world. His owners tell us more about Leo's wonderful little story, and how more pups can help.
Tell us a little about Leo
Leo is a six-year-old fox red Labrador Retriever with the biggest heart. He is confident, playful, loyal, and has a real zest for life. To us, he’s much more than a pet – he’s family, our soul dog, and the centre of so many happy memories and adventures.
He came into our lives during the pandemic and was my constant companion throughout the shielding years. He helped me through some of the hardest times (as I was newly diagnosed with SLE Lupus) simply by being there. And the bond we formed during those years is something truly special.
Leo loves fun and adventure, whether that’s chasing a ball, splashing in rivers and the sea, hunting for squirrels, playing with balloons, or enjoying a tasty treat. He has a wonderful personality that brings smiles wherever he goes. He’s well known in our community and makes friends with everyone he meets - humans or dogs!
Leo also has a very gentle and caring nature. He is especially devoted to his mum, Di, and is always by her side. His kind temperament and confidence are what made us feel he would be a perfect candidate to become a blood donor. We are incredibly proud of him, and hope that by sharing Leo’s story, more people will learn about the amazing difference canine blood donors can make.
How did you first hear about pup blood donation, and what encouraged you to sign up Leo?
Our veterinary practice had shared a story on social media about a dog whose life had been saved thanks to blood donations. It really stayed with us and made us realise just how important canine blood donors are.
After sharing his first donation on his social media (yes Leo has Insta and TikTok), we found out that one of Leo’s Instagram furiends, the lovely Cola, underwent red cell donations. Sadly, Cola wasn’t able to be saved, but his journey had a profound impact on us. We always think of Cola when Leo donates, and in many ways, he gave us an even stronger sense of purpose to continue. It’s our way of honouring her while helping other dogs and their families.
What ultimately encouraged us to sign Leo up was the incredible fact that one donation can help save up to four dogs’ lives. The thought that Leo could make such a huge difference simply by giving a little of his time was all the encouragement we needed.
Do you remember his first blood donation? What was the experience like?
Oh yes, I remember Leo’s first blood donation very clearly because I was far more nervous than he was! For Leo, it was simply another exciting day out, jumping into the car and wondering what new adventure lay ahead.
From our very first contact with Pet Blood Bank, we felt completely supported. The team provided lots of information, answered all our questions, and really put our minds at ease. They explained that the first visit is often about helping dogs become familiar with the environment and the process, so we went in with no expectations other than making sure Leo had a positive experience.
It was a completely new environment for Leo. However, true to form, he took everything in his stride. He’s a very sociable and excitable boy who loves meeting new people, and he was more than happy to accept all the fuss and treats from the team!
What surprised us most was how calm and relaxed he became during the donation itself. While I was the nervous one, Leo lay perfectly still and happily completed a full donation on his very first visit. We were incredibly proud of him.
Looking back, that first appointment confirmed that becoming a donor was absolutely the right decision for Leo and for us. It was such a positive experience, and seeing how comfortable and well cared for he was made us excited to continue his journey.
Leo has now donated 11 times! What kept you going back?
What keeps us going back is the simple fact that every donation has the potential to save up to four dogs’ lives. That’s an extraordinary gift, and one that Leo gives so willingly.
We also continue because of the wonderful experience we have every single time. The Pet Blood Bank team are so supportive. They make every donor dog feel special, and we feel completely reassured that our dogs’ welfare is their priority.
We always think of Leo’s Instagram furiend, Cola, when we donate. Although Cola sadly wasn’t saved, her journey strengthened our determination to continue donating whenever Leo can.
Leo himself makes it very easy to keep going back. He loves the attention, the treats, the fuss, and, of course, the adventure of going somewhere new! If Leo can help give another family more precious time with their dog, then every donation is worth it.
What is a typical donation appointment like?
A typical donation appointment is a really positive and well-organised experience from start to finish.
When we arrive, Leo is greeted by the wonderful Pet Blood Bank team, who always make a huge fuss of him. While I complete the paperwork, Leo enjoys plenty of attention and, of course, a few treats.
The team then takes Leo through for his health checks. They shave a small area on his neck, apply anaesthetic cream to make him comfortable, take a blood sample to check that he’s suitable to donate that day, and carry out a general health assessment.
Everything is explained clearly, and the dog’s welfare is always the top priority. If all his checks are good, Leo then goes through for his donation. We continue to be amazed by how calm and relaxed he is. He lies comfortably on the table and happily donates while receiving lots of praise and encouragement from the team.
Afterwards, Leo has some time to rest and recover, and the team carries out final checks to make sure he’s feeling well before we head home. Every donor dog also receives some lovely treats and a toy, kindly donated by supporting companies, which Leo definitely appreciates!
What does it mean to you knowing his donations may have helped save the lives of other dogs?
It’s difficult to put into words what it means to know that Leo’s donations have helped save the lives of other dogs. We are incredibly proud of him, but more than that, we feel incredibly grateful that he is able to do something so simple that can have such a profound impact on another family’s life.
As dog owners, we know that our dogs are never “just pets” – they are family, our best friends, our comfort, and our constant companions. Knowing that Leo’s donations may have given another family more time, more memories, and more precious moments with their beloved dog is incredibly emotional.
Leo has no idea of the impact he’s making. But to us, knowing that our happy, adventure-loving boy has helped save the lives of other dogs is one of the proudest things we could ever say about him.
Has there been a moment or story that brought home the impact of pup blood donation for you?
On one occasion, our veterinary practice contacted us because Leo is on the emergency blood donor register, and they urgently needed blood for a dog in their care. Receiving that call really brought home the reality of what blood donation means.
In that moment, all I could think about was the family waiting anxiously, hoping and praying that something could be done to save their beloved dog. I also thought about the veterinary teams working tirelessly to give that dog the best possible chance. It transformed blood donation from something we knew was important into something that felt incredibly immediate and personal.
What do you think most dog owners don’t know about pet blood donation?
I think the main thing I would want other dog owners to know is that pet blood donation really does save lives, and there is always a need for donor dogs.
Before Leo became a donor, I don’t think we fully appreciated just how important canine blood donation is or how many dogs rely on blood products in an emergency. Knowing that one donation can help save up to four dogs was something that really stayed with us.
I would also want owners to know that the welfare of the donor dogs is always the absolute priority. And an added reassurance for us is that donor dogs receive health checks and blood testing at each donation appointment. Knowing that any abnormalities are picked up and discussed gave us even more confidence in the process.
Perhaps most importantly, I’d want people to know that many donor dogs, like Leo, genuinely enjoy the experience. He walks in happy and leaves just as happy.
What would you say to someone thinking about registering their dog as a donor?
I would simply say: do it. Make the call and have the conversation.
Just like human blood banks, canine blood banks can run low, and there is a constant need for donor dogs. If your dog is eligible, especially if they weigh over 25kg, they could have the potential to save the lives of four other dogs and give families more precious time with their beloved pets.
If sharing Leo’s story encourages just one more person to register their dog as a donor, then that would be something very special indeed.
What are you most proud of about Leo and his donation journey?
What I’m most proud of is simply who Leo is.
He is a happy, loving, gentle boy who has taken something that to him is just another fun day out, and unknowingly turned it into something life-saving for other dogs. He doesn’t see himself as doing anything extraordinary — he just arrives with his wagging tail, enjoys the fuss, the treats, and the attention, and trusts the people around him. But behind that, he has now donated 11 times and potentially helped save multiple lives each time.
I’m also incredibly proud of the journey we’ve been on together. Leo came into my life as a Covid pup during my shielding years and became my constant source of comfort and companionship. To now see him go from that role into helping other families through their most frightening moments is something I could never have imagined back then.
Most of all, I’m proud that he is still just Leo — my boy who loves balls, water, squirrels, and cuddles — while also being part of something so much bigger than either of us. He has changed lives without ever knowing it, and that, to me, is the most special thing of all.
Why do you think raising awareness of pup blood donation is so important?
Firstly, it’s about saving lives. The reality is that just like in human medicine, dogs can and do need blood transfusions in emergencies, and without donor dogs, many of those lives simply couldn’t be saved.
Secondly, I don’t think it’s something that is widely advertised or talked about enough. I only came across it by chance through a post from our vet on social media, and it made me realise how many people might simply do not know it exists or that their own dog could potentially help.
Even if someone decides their dog isn’t suitable, at least they’ve had the chance to learn about it. The more awareness there is, the more likely it is that dogs in need will get the lifesaving support they require.
If you could share one message with other dog owners, what would it be?
If I could share one message with other dog owners, it would be to please look into canine blood donation.
There are dogs every day who urgently need blood to survive, and donor dogs truly make the difference between life and loss.
From our experience, the process has always been positive, supportive, and carefully managed with the dogs’ wellbeing at the heart of everything.
For us, Leo is just our happy, fun-loving boy, but he has also helped other families hold onto their own dogs for a little longer. And that, more than anything, is what I would want other owners to know is possible.
He has no idea of the impact he’s making. He just turns up with his happy Labrador smile and does something extraordinary.
Find our more about how your pup could make an incredible difference at www.petbloodbankuk.org
