Local Vets Focus on Emergency Care With Blood Donation Day

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Kent Business Newsletter
August 21, 2025

A veterinary practice in Maidstone is calling on local dog owners to register their pets as potential lifesavers by taking part in its next dog blood donation day. The event will take place at Pennard Vets on College Road in partnership with national charity Pet Blood Bank UK.

It will be the third time the independent veterinary group has hosted a blood donation day, with the goal of ensuring a steady supply of blood for dogs who may need emergency treatment or ongoing medical support.

Practice principal and veterinary surgeon, Dr Sarla Balse, from Pennard Vets, explained: “Our first donation day was in 2023, and we were so grateful to all the pets and their owners that came along. Just like in human medicine, blood donations can be critical in saving lives – and a single unit of canine blood can help save up to four dogs.”

The event is open to all eligible dogs, not just clients of Pennard Vets. To qualify, dogs must be fit and healthy; aged between one and eight years old; weigh more than 25kg; be vaccinated or titre tested; have never travelled outside the UK and Ireland; and not be on medication.

The blood bank initiative comes at a time when Pennard Vets is also able to offer a particularly high level of emergency care following a new accreditation achieved by one its veterinary nurses.

Rianna Franchi, has recently passed the Certificate in Emergency and Critical Care, after two years of intense study and examinations.

Rianna, who has worked at the Maidstone branch for almost five years, said: “I’ve always been passionate about emergency care – it’s high-pressured but incredibly rewarding. The qualification covered a huge range of topics, from trauma management and stabilisation to blood transfusions, which ties in perfectly with the upcoming blood bank. Being prepared for absolutely anything is key in emergency situations, and this training helps us provide even better care in those moments.”

The Maidstone practice operates as one of Pennard Vets’ advanced clinical hubs, supported by a team of dedicated veterinary professionals who are continually expanding their knowledge to provide cutting-edge care.

Sarla from Pennard Vets, added: “We’re excited to be running our third blood donation day soon and we’re so proud of Rianna’s accomplishment, which highlights the in-depth level of care we’re committed to offering. We all know how important the right action in an emergency is – and blood donors and people like Rianna, really do make a difference.”

To take part in the blood donation day, owners can register via the Pet Blood Bank UK website www.petbloodbankuk.org and select Pennard Vets in Maidstone as their donation site or call Pennard Vets on 01622 752 154.

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