German shepherd Kita has been saving lives with blood donations for six years

She was registered at her local veterinary clinic at the age of two, giving her first blood donation for another German Shepherd who had a bleeding tumour in the abdomen.

Lynda Al Qubaisi’s eight-year-old German shepherd, Kita, has been donating blood to dogs in need for six years. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National

ABU DHABI // Kita, an eight-year-old German shepherd, has been saving the lives of canines in need for six years.

She was registered at her local veterinary clinic when she was two years old, giving her first blood donation to another German shepherd who had a bleeding tumour in the abdomen.

Her owner, Lynda Al Qubaisi, said Dr Katrin Jahn contacted her to ask whether Kita could help.

The two women have been acquaintances for many years, and Ms Al Qubaisi said Dr Jahn often told her about “special cases that needed blood transfusions”.

“When Kita was two years old, Dr Katrin asked me if I would be willing to let her examine Kita with the view to her becoming a blood donor,” she said.

“After Dr Katrin informed me of the process and the procedures I was very happy to proceed.”

Kita has given blood several times since and has saved many dogs.

“We are very proud of her,” said Ms Al Qubaisi. “She is a very special and brave dog.”

The British expatriate, who lives in Al Bahia in Abu Dhabi, said she and her dog were ready to respond to emergency calls from the vet.

“If there is a need for a trans­fusion, Dr Katrin or one of the other vets at GVC gives me a call to ask me to bring Kita to the clinic,” said Ms Al Qubaisi.

“If Kita has donated blood in the past six months, she always has her red blood cell count checked to make sure she has enough to donate.

“Then she has the blood taken and, afterwards, stays at the ­clinic on a drip for a few hours.

“As far as I know, the blood they take is given straight to the dog that needs it.”

After Kita’s every blood ­donation, Ms Al Qubaisi said she gives Kita her favourite food and treats.

More animal donors such as Kita are desperately needed, and her owner encouraged others to register.

“This is such a lifesaving procedure and the more blood donors there are, the less often the donors need to be used,” Ms Al Qubaisi said.

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