Mandie Pannell and her partner Thomas Mills have a unique pair of pets: a ginger cat named Weasley and an English pointer dog named Spock. These furry friends have become heroes in their own right by regularly donating blood to animals in need. It all started when Mandie saw an appeal for animal blood donors while waiting at the veterinarian’s office. Little did she know, this simple act would make a significant impact on the lives of other pets.
Weasley, the brave ginger moggie, has donated blood ten times already at the young age of five. Spock, the loyal six-year-old English pointer, has also made five donations. Mandie and Thomas are extremely proud of Weasley, so much so that they have entered him for a special hero award. As a university nurse educator, Mandie understands the importance of blood donations and the impact they can have on saving lives.
“Weasley is absolutely a hero,” Mandie shares. “He’s so good with blood donations. He takes care of Spock, especially when he’s scared. We’re hoping our younger cat will also become a donor when he turns one.” Weasley is so comfortable donating blood that he purrs throughout the process, making it challenging for the veterinarians to hear his heartbeat.
Awareness for animal blood donors, especially cats, is something Mandie is passionate about. She believes that as a nation of animal lovers, more people should know about this vital service. Mandie decided to enter Weasley for the Petplan Pet Awards in the Hero Pet of the Year category, hoping to spread the word about the importance of animal blood donation. To her delight, Weasley made it to the finals.
Mandie and Thomas had Spock before they met nine years ago. In 2016, Weasley joined their family as a surprise birthday present for Mandie’s 31st birthday. His name was inspired by the Weasley family from the Harry Potter books because of his fiery ginger coat and mischievous nature. From the start, Weasley and Spock formed a strong bond, although it’s a mix of sibling rivalry and affection.
In 2018, Weasley suffered an injury to his back leg, which prompted Mandie to take him to the Royal Veterinary College for treatment. While waiting at the vet’s office, she noticed a sign asking for animal blood donors, something she had never known about before. This inspired her to learn more about the process and eventually sign up Weasley and Spock as blood donors.
Animal blood donors undergo a thorough assessment before they are deemed suitable for donation. The veterinarians ensure that the pets’ temperament is a good fit and that they won’t experience undue stress. Weasley, in particular, has been a champion donor, always staying calm and relaxed during the process.
The donation itself only takes around 10 minutes for Weasley, while Spock’s donations are even quicker since dogs don’t require rehydration fluids afterward. During the process, Weasley’s heartwarming purrs can be heard throughout the room, enjoying the attention and care he receives. After the donation, Weasley is given intravenous fluids to help him recover.
Mandie receives a call every 12 weeks to bring Weasley in for his next donation. As a loving and responsible pet owner, she knows the importance of contributing to this vital service. “The teams that do this are absolutely amazing at keeping the animals calm,” Mandie shares. She understands that, like concerned parents, owners can sometimes feel more anxious than their pets. However, Mandie firmly believes in the importance of having blood readily available to save beloved animals.
Mandie is using the opportunity to raise awareness about cat blood donation through Weasley’s hero award nomination. She hopes that more owners will consider putting their cats forward as donors since there is a shortage of feline donors compared to canine donors. With the help of Weasley’s heroism, Mandie aims to make a difference in the lives of animals and their owners.
By donating blood, Weasley and Spock have shown that even our furry companions can be heroes. Their selfless acts of kindness have made a significant impact on other animals’ lives, giving hope to those in need. As Mandie and Thomas continue to support their pets in their noble endeavor, they hope that their story will inspire others to take part in this vital service.
