Community Corner
Cat Hailed As A Hero For Giving Blood
Donor cats and dogs needed to give blood to help other animals.
Giving blood is good thing to do – even when it’s given by dogs and cats.
It is something that Shadow, a cat from McHenry, does regularly. Owner Kat Egelston, who previously worked at Save-A-Pet in Grayslake, wants to help animals in any way.
Egelston learned that the Animal Emergency & Treatment Center in Grayslake was in need of blood donations from pets. She thought of her own three cats and a dog, and decided to help.
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“I thought my cat, Shadow, would be the perfect donor because she is easy-going. She also is in good health,” said Egelston.
The AETC has had a cat and dog blood-donor program since 2002. The center is always in need of additional donations, especially during the summer months.
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“We run short a lot more during the summer because pets are out more, whether it’s being hit by a car or getting in a fight,” said AETC marketing director Cindy Kaempf.
“Each donation can save up to four lives,” said Amanda Calvillo, a certified veterinarian technician and manager of the blood-donor program. “There are requirements for the cat or dog that is donating. We do provide thank-yous to our donors. All the information is spelled out on our website.”
Shadow recently was hailed as an “Everyday Hero” by the Nutro Company, suppliers of cat and dog food, for her donations of blood.
“Shadow’s tale highlights an important medical need that many people are unaware of,” said spokeswoman Brianna Huy. See more at www.facebook.com/NutroProducts.
Veterinarian John Naeser, the director of operations at the AETC, also oversees the blood-donor program in Grayslake. Most pet blood donations come from pets that are referred by other owners like Egelston. AETC also solicits donations through trade publications and at pet expos.
“For the first time, the Midwest Pet Expo will be held locally in September at the Lake County Fairgrounds,” said Kaempf. “It will be an opportunity for us to let people know about the program and ask for volunteers.”
AETC is open 24 hours a day and is the only pet-blood donation facility in Lake County. It also has a location in Chicago.
