Canine blood drive for a doggone good cause

The Town of Wareham is asking residents to take a trip with their pups to Buzzards Bay for a good cause.

Cape Cod Veterinary Specialists are hosting a canine blood drive Sunday, April 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bourne Police Station 35 Armory Rd in Buzzards Bay to educate the public about its canine blood bank and screen eligible dogs for participation.

Dogs accepted into the program will help provide life-saving blood for pets in critical condition. The  team will offer free physical exams and blood typing for dogs that meet initial donor criteria.

The event is in honor of in honor of the late  police dog Nero and Sargent Sean Gannon, who were shot in April 2018 while serving an arrest warrant. The incident led to the creation of Nero's Law.

This law allows for the medical treatment and transport of police dogs by emergency first responders to veterinary facilities. Prior to this, it was illegal for non-veterinarians to treat or transport animals.

Eligible dogs must weigh more than 50 pounds, be between 1 and 8 years old, be spayed or neutered, be current on vaccinations and year-round heartworm and flea/tick prevention, have no prior medical conditions or history of blood transfusionscand be comfortable being handled by veterinary staff.

All dogs must be leashed or crated. For more information email bloodbank@capecodvetspecialists.com.