BluePearl Pet Hospital cuts ties with blood bank following PETA exposé

Brody Wooddell
·2 min read

TAMPA (BLOOM) – BluePearl Pet Hospital, a leading network of veterinary hospitals, has officially severed its relationship with The Veterinarians’ Blood Bank (TVBB) in Indiana. This decision comes in the wake of a disturbing PETA investigation that shed light on the inhumane treatment of animals within the facility. The investigation revealed over 900 dogs and cats confined to barren kennels and overcrowded pens, subjected to regular blood extractions—even when suffering from serious health conditions.

PETA alleges disturbing practices at blood bank linked to BluePearl Pet Hospital

“After an intensive exposé, peaceful protests, and an overwhelming response from over 50,000 PETA supporters, BluePearl Pet Hospital has terminated its association with The Veterinarians’ Blood Bank,” said Daphna Nachminovitch, Senior Vice President of PETA. “This action has led to the suspension of PETA’s campaign against these veterinary hospital chains. We now call on veterinarians nationwide to commit to sourcing blood exclusively from healthy animals living in loving homes.”

According to PETA, undercover footage exposed the dire conditions within TVBB, showcasing animals with pressure sores and growths due to prolonged periods lying on hard surfaces without relief. PETA said animals were documented with severe wounds from altercations with other stressed animals in the facility, including one dog with a deep, unhealed infection lasting more than seven weeks. Additionally, cats suffering from respiratory infections were still used for blood collection, highlighting the egregious disregard for animal welfare.

The exposé also revealed that even animals deemed unsuitable for blood collection, such as seniors or those too small, were kept indefinitely, leading to a life of confinement until death. “They stay here until they die,” one worker admitted, underlining the grim reality faced by these animals.

In response to PETA’s findings and subsequent public outcry, BluePearl Pet Hospital has pledged to reassess its blood sourcing practices, emphasizing its commitment to animal welfare. “The welfare of animals remains our utmost priority,” a spokesperson for BluePearl stated.

A BluePearl spokesperson provided the following statement:

Unfortunately, there is a severe shortage of life-saving animal blood products in the U.S. today. We are working alongside veterinary partners to make community blood banks the long-term solution and are committed to using blood products that meet the best medical and ethical standards.

Learn more about BluePearl’s community-driven blood bank: https://bluepearlvet.com/blood-bank. We are no longer purchasing products from TVBB.

This change marks a victory for the animal welfare advocates who champion the importance of ethical practices in the veterinary field. PETA continues to urge veterinary professionals to ensure that blood products are sourced in a manner that respects animal dignity and promotes their well-being.

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