Animal blood donation is facing critical shortages. A program in central NC lets you help.

"I wanted to pay it forward," said Federico, who is the animal services director for Wake County.

Both Federico's Labrador retriever and pitbull mix became donors through North Carolina State University's Veterinary Hospital Small Animal Blood Bank.

Sarah Musulin, who is the blood bank's director, says similar to people who need blood products, animals dealing with trauma, surgery and cancer can need donated blood. Just like with human blood donation, the program has to deal with supply shortages.

"It's tough for us to keep up with our inventory," said Musulin. “It really is quite a problem getting access to blood products."

"We have a blood bank here at N.C. State, with that in mind though, we, even at times, have to purchase blood from commercial blood banks.”

In order to be a donor, dogs must be 1-5 years old, at least 60 pounds, in good health and have an easygoing temperament.

"That's a select pool of dogs ... that kind of minimizes the pool," said Musulin.

After having two dogs participate, Federico says the toughest part is the beginning when the dogs go through screenings and tests to make sure they are healthy enough to donate.

"After that, it's really easy," she said.

As volunteers, Federico's dogs donated blood more than 20 times apiece. Each blood donation helps four dogs.

"It was never stressful for them," said Federico. "My dog got to the point where he tried to jump on the table himself."

The same blood collection equipment used on humans is used for the canines, Musulin said, which is why the dogs need to be bigger.

Just like humans, dogs have different types of blood.

"On a daily basis, we're saving lives with these blood products," she said.

Federico believes the general public doesn't realize how great the need is for canine blood donation.

“Once you start doing it … and see whats going on around you, you really just feel good about helping others," she said.

Musulin is also inspired by the donors and their owners' commitment to helping save others.

"I love this donor program and being so directly linked to it because, honestly, we have stories every day where literally we’re saving cats and dogs lives … if they did not receive that transfusion product they wouldn’t be able to live," said Musulin.

While Federico's dogs have aged out of eligibility to donate blood, if she ever has another dog that does, she says she'll be right back to participating in the program.

“I can say that my dogs loved it … they were always excited to see the team there, and everyone was always so nice and it was really a positive experience," said Federico.