Bikers set up blood delivery service for vets

Delivering dog blood in medical emergencies to create hope in dire moments

A not-for-profit organisation is setting up what it claims will be the first bespoke blood delivery service for pets.

Blood delivery bikes are a common sight, ferrying vital supplies of blood to hospitals across the country.

Blood Bikes 4 Pets hopes to provide a similar service for dogs.

Tom Watkins, from the organisation, said teams would deliver supplies of blood initially just to vets around the West Midlands and parts of Wales from the new year.

Tom Watkins said his love for animals inspired the Blood Bikes 4 Pets initiative

Blood Bikes 4 Pets plans to operate within a 100-mile radius from its Hereford base, along the M50.

Mr Watkins said the group intended to operate as a charity and would offer services free of charge.

Richard Eldridge, a Blood Bikes 4 Pets spokesperson, told BBC Hereford & Worcester that it would work with existing pet blood banks to make sure supplies of dog blood are taken where they are most needed.

The team are conducting tests to keep the blood box at the optimum temperature

Jon Slattery, a vet in Malvern, paid tribute, describing it as a "fantastic service", adding that it would be welcomed by "vets up and down the country".

He said getting hold of blood for animals could be "really really difficult" and Mr Watkins' initiative would ease pressure on pet owners and vets in dire medical moments.

Blood Bikes 4 Pets said it also planned to livestream deliveries on social media.