P.E.I. vet college frees blood-donor dogs

A new program has been unleashed at the Atlantic Veterinary College in Prince Edward Island that will give some dogs a better life.

For years, some animals have been kept in cages, providing blood for other dogs that needed medical treatment.

But some students complained about the practice, arguing that it is cruel to keep the "blood hounds" locked up.

"Overall their quality of life wasn't that great . . . living in a 3 foot by 6 foot cage, and being walked twice a day," says Mark Russo, a veterinary student.

So after almost 30 years, the college has decided to phase out the program.

Instead, staff and students have signed up their dogs as donors agreeing to bring them in periodically when blood is needed.

"I think anything that allows us to not have in-clinic animals . . . and allows them to have a better quality of life is fantastic," says veterinarian Darcy Shaw.

The half dozen dogs still living at the school are being adopted including a favourite named "Billy".

"We'll take him out to the mountains," promises one student, who plans to take Billy home next month. "We're going to give him the good life."