Vets: Animals need blood donations too

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Many people know the importance of donating blood, but not many think about that fact that animals need donors too.

One pup named Oscar is helping save lives.  He's among about a dozen blood donors at Emergency Veterinary Services in Duluth, Minnesota.

"I just think that it's something that never occurs to people unless they're in a situation when they need the product," Angie Gregory offered.

Most of the pet donors are pets of clinic employees, but now they're looking to spread the word.

"So dogs donate for dogs, cats donate for cats," Gregory continued.  "We don't feed them but we do give IV fluids to replace the volume that we've taken away."

Gregory says their biggest need is for dog owners because they typically need the most transfusions.