Golden Retriever 'Kapu' Becomes 10-Time Blood Donor Hero for Dogs in Seoul

In Seoul, a 7-year-old Golden Retriever named Kapu is being celebrated as a canine blood donation hero after completing his 10th donation. Kapu regularly visits the KU I'm Dogner blood center, where he receives care and donates blood, contributing to a vital service that saves animal lives.

Kapu's owner decided to have him participate in blood donations when he was four years old. This decision was motivated by a desire to help reduce the number of "donor dogs", dogs kept by a single company solely for blood extraction throughout their lives. By having companion animals like Kapu donate, the need for these commercially sourced donor dogs can be lessened.

Donating blood is presented as a special opportunity for healthy, large-breed dogs aged 1 to 8, weighing over 25 kilograms, and free from infectious diseases. Regular check-ups, including blood tests and heartworm prevention, are mandatory. The process is described as comfortable for the dogs, with Kapu reportedly falling asleep during donations due to the attentive care from veterinarians.

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Blood cannot be made artificially, so the help of blood donation dogs is essential.

Beyond the altruistic aspect, dog blood donation offers health benefits. Donors receive regular health screenings, and in case of personal need, a donated blood pack can be received per donation certificate. Kapu's owner expressed joy in knowing their pet can help sick friends, while the veterinarians emphasize the critical importance of canine blood donations, especially for rare blood types.

Since 2023, over 570 dogs have donated blood more than 1,000 times at the center. The article features Kapu's friends, Labrador Retrievers Sundol and Sunsim, who have also made multiple donations, including emergency ones. Center director Han Hyun-jung stressed that artificial blood cannot be created, making canine donors indispensable. The message is clear: these donations, though potentially concerning, can be life-saving for other animals.

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While drawing blood might be concerning, please think that we can help someone's life or death through blood donation.