Rebecca Nusbaum is the operations manager of HemoSolutionsí Second Chance Feline Program, a blood bank in Calhan, Colo. The blood donors arenít human ñ they are cats whose nine lives have run out at the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region. All had been in line to be euthanized, and HemoSolutions gave them a second chance.Nusbaum said there are only three blood banks in the nation; the Calhan location is the second largest.The cattery is home to about 70 ìsecond-chance catsî that donate blood to help save other animals. ìAny reason a human might need blood, an animal would, too,î Nusbaum said. The cats are housed in free-roaming areas, with five to seven cats in one large room. Although cats are color blind and probably wouldnít care anyway, the rooms are painted in bright colors.To be a donor, Nusbaum said a cat must be 10 pounds and between ages 1 and 8.HemoSolutions also accepts blood from dogs. Canine owners volunteer their dogs after a series of health screenings. Dogs must also be between age 1 and 8, weigh more than 50 pounds and be current on vaccinations. Dogs that donate on a regular basis receive an annual exam and tests for heartworms at no charge.Blood drives are set up throughout the year at different veterinary offices in the Colorado Springs area. Repeat donors have perks.HemoSolutions will send vouchers for preventive care to the donorsí veterinarians; the donorís owner can also opt to have a check sent to a favorite animal organization.Some dog breeds cannot donate blood. Akitas, for example, have too much potassium that is released when their blood is stored. Dobermans can be afflicted with Willebrands Disease, which makes them ineligible. Some of the cats rescued from a fateful ending at the Humane Society have had an unknown blood parasite in their system that prevented them from becoming donors. However, those cats can remain at the cattery until someone adopts them. ìThe cats can live here indefinitely if they donít get adopted,î Nusbaum said.It only takes about five minutes for a dog to donate blood and about eight minutes for cats, she said. The procedure is not painful and is easier for dogs since their blood flows faster, Nusbaum said. Dogs donít need to be anesthetized but cats are given a sedative to calm them.Blood and plasma can last in a frozen state for a certain amount of time, she said. Plasma for both dogs and cats is considered fresh if frozen up to one year, but is still usable for another four to five years if kept frozen. The blood itself from dogs is good for about 28 days to a month; the blood from cats can be frozen for 35 days.Initially a veterinary technician, Nusbaum has taken special course work to manage the blood bank. She also travels throughout the country to veterinary conferences to explain the procedures and the importance of maintaining blood on site at veterinary clinics.Nusbaum said they always need volunteers at the cattery to play with the cats.HemoSolutions also sponsors ìdonor appreciationî days, where the dogs can run wild and sniff and play, while the humans have a picnic. Visit http://hemosolutions.com for more information.
