IT’S a dog save dog life at the North-East’s biggest vet group.

A pet blood bank has been established at three branches of the Westway Veterinary Group.

Dog-owners from across the region are now being urged to sign their pets up to become much-needed donors.

Donations to the blood bank are used for life-saving transfusions and to help ill or injured pets.

However, there is currently a significant shortage of donors.

Westway’s director Jason Atherton said staff had used their own animals to provide blood and added: “We need more blood to save the lives of dogs.

“We had an extreme week recently when three dogs needed blood transfusions and it was lucky that we were able to use staff dogs.

“It’s very important for owners to come forward and volunteer their pets as we never know when we will have more emergencies.”

Doggy donors must have a good temperament as they need to sit quietly for ten minutes while the procedure is taking place.

They must also be between one and eight-years-old, weigh more than 25kg, be up to date with vaccinations, never have travelled abroad, not to be on medication and to be fit and healthy.

To register a pet as a potential donor, visit westway-vets.com/#!blood-donation/cfsl.

Blood donor days will be arranged in coming months at surgeries in Darlington, Sunderland and Newcastle.