New Delhi, June 24 -- A few months ago, close to midnight, we had a dog rushed into the hospital after he was hit by a vehicle. Blood loss was severe, and time mattered. Treatment started immediately, but he needed blood. Within an hour, another dog owner had packed their sleepy Labrador into the car and driven across the city to donate. Two strangers who had never met, connected by one thing alone: a pet needing help.

Most pet parents do not think about blood donation until they are suddenly told their own pet needs it. Yet blood transfusions quietly save lives in veterinary medicine every single day.

Just like in people, pets sometimes need blood urgently. Severe accidents, surgeries with unexpected bleeding, tick fever, immune-mediat...