Sun States: Blood Banks for Animals

A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Charitable Organization consisting of a 100% Volunteer Companion Animal Blood Donation Program

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Products

Frozen & Fresh Frozen Plasma

Cryoprecipitate

Cryosupernatant

Platelet Concentrates

Whole Blood

Services

Canine Blood Typing

Consultation Services

Vet Resources

Become A Blood Donor

Blood Donor Information

Canine Registration Form

Blood Collection Sites

Administration

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         Doggy in the Window

Help us save the lives of captive blood donors everywhere. 

A donation of any amount is greatly appreciated.

Letter from our President

As of June 1, 2008, Sun States Animal Blood Bank is officially changing its name to Sun States: Blood Banks for Animals.

Barely three (3) months after we opened our doors in 2004, we received a “cease and desist” letter from Animal Blood Bank, Inc., in Dixon, CA, who somehow trademarked the terms “Animal Blood Bank” (and no, we’re not kidding) “ABB”. We were told to change our name and stop using “ssabb” as our domain name (since it contains the letters “ABB”) or face legal action for trademark infringement.

As we are only one of about two dozen “animal blood banks” in the US, we weren’t sure how such a term could be trademarked out from under all of them, nor how it could uniquely refer to one of them more than the others (especially when the first use of the term was by Penn Animal Blood Bank in Philadelphia). We tried to defend not only our right, but the right of all the “animal blood banks” to use these simple descriptive words. After four years, though, we have come to realize the fight is really not worth it – from a financial or an emotional perspective.

There were unintended positive consequences, however. This unfortunate name choice made us far more visible to the blood banking community than the 12 units per month we were trying to draw and distribute each month (at the time the Dixon blood bank was shipping over 3,000 units per month). The things we learned about captive donor colonies and for-profit models of blood farming strengthened and solidified Sun States’ commitment to donor welfare.

In the end, what keeps Sun States going is not a particular bunch of words or letters in its name, but the commitment of its principals, staff, volunteers, and community partners to having a safe, quality blood supply that does not depend upon the exploitation of the donors. We are not the cheapest or the largest, but we ARE the only 501(c)(3) non-profit that runs a community-donor program, develops cooperative relationships with local rescues, and offers 24 / 7 / 365 service and support (including delivery to anywhere we can drive to and overnight delivery to anywhere we can’t).

Sun States’ 501(c)(3) mandate requires us to engage in community education. While to date we’ve focused primarily on Pet First Aid classes and the basics of transfusion medicine, but we’ve realized there’s a lot more work to be done. We’ve educated vets and techs on the importance of blood typing, infectious disease testing, and component therapy. Now it’s time for us to educate people on the importance of donor welfare.

Sun States is committed to the idea that every donor should be a volunteer donor. We think you should be, too.

Larry DeLuca, EdD, MD
President and Director

Our Mission Statement

Sun States: Blood Banks for Animals is dedicated to providing safe and high-quality canine blood products to the veterinary community.  We only accept blood from volunteer donors - we believe that the quality of life of one animal should not be enhanced at the expense of another.  We are a non-profit organization; we are the custodians of life -- something from which no one should achieve personal or corporate financial gain.  We are committed to ensuring the safety and availability of the animal blood supply, and to helping veterinarians, technicians, and the general public to best make use of the advances in modern transfusion medicine.

Our Outreach

Besides being a blood bank for animals, Sun States is also a professional training center committed in providing high quality educational programs for veterinarians, their staff, animal hospitals and clinics, veterinary schools, and the community.  We are members of the Association of Veterinary Hematology and Transfusion Medicine (AVHTM), offer animal first-aid and CPR training classes developed by the American Safety/Health Institute (ASHI), the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and follow the guidelines of the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB).  Furthermore, Sun States is proud to comply with the position statement as promulgated by the Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights for the use of blood donors.  Please view their web site for more information at Use of Blood Donors.

Sun States: Blood Banks for Animals is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization as designated by the Internal Revenue Service!  We are thankful for this ruling as we believe it is crucial for our existence.  We believe our charitable designation is important to the perception of the local community, animal rights organizations, greyhound rescue groups, and to affirm the goodness of our intentions.  

Dr. Steven G. Paul Memorial Blood Donation Fund

In a unique community service program developed by Sun States and Coral Springs Dog Day Run, both 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, life-saving blood components will be donated to families with financial need who live in the following communities in Broward County, Florida: Coral Springs, Parkland, Coconut Creek, Margate, and Tamarac.  Restrictions apply and final approval for donated blood components remains solely with Coral Springs Dog Day Run.  We hope that other hospitals will participate in this program to allow lower income families who otherwise would not be able to afford blood products for their sick or injured companions the ability to receive assistance.  Please click on the following link for more information about this valuable program => Families in Need.

Send mail to rick@sunstates.org with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2008 Sun States: Blood Banks for Animals

"There is another way." ©
Last modified: 06/14/08

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