London kitten dying from fleas gets life-saving blood from an 11-year-old rescue cat

An emergency blood donation gave a dying kitten a second chance. The donor was an 11-year-old rescue cat, Pearl, who had recovered from a painful flea infestation of her own.

At just 5 weeks old, the stray kitten, Drew, needed urgent veterinary care, and Pearl's blood helped save him.

Here's what to know

An emergency blood transfusion was needed to treat the tiny tabby's severe, flea-related anemia. Drew was found abandoned beneath a bush at South London's Tooting Common, according to Talker News.

A shared blood type, Type A, made Pearl a match for Drew. The black domestic shorthair was herself a rescue animal receiving care through Blue Cross, whose staff at its Victoria animal hospital in Central London turned to her for help.

More background

Before-and-after photographs documented both Pearl's injuries and her recovery. She was taken in by the charity following her owner's death. A veterinary exam showed Pearl had developed painful sores along her back and tail from the fleas, Talker News reported.

"Pearl came to us in such sad circumstances, but with care in one of our loving volunteer foster homes, alongside treatment in our hospital, we have been able to give her the care she needed," Amanda Rumball, London welfare officer at Blue Cross, told the outlet. "While Pearl needed our help, it is incredible to think that she was then able to help save another cat's life by donating blood."

What's being done?

According to Blue Cross, cats can be blood donors from age 1 to 8, provided they are in good health and meet a minimum weight requirement.

Drew's condition left staff facing an emergency. With Pearl healthy and their blood types matching, they chose to use her blood despite her being older than the usual donor age range.

A foster home arranged by the charity is providing Drew with a place to recover after his emergency hospital treatment as he waits for a new home.

Pearl is also ready for adoption at the charity's Kimpton rehoming center in Hertfordshire, according to Talker News.

"She has been through so much and deserves a loving home where she can enjoy the happy, comfortable life she deserves," Rumball said.

Where can I learn more?

A matching blood donor can mean the difference between life and death for a pet in crisis.

• When cat blood was unavailable, kitten Wind Chill survived with a dog's blood donation.

• In South Australia, a golden retriever's emergency blood donation saved a fellow dog's life.

• Florida's Baby Myrtle received a donor blood patch after a lung leak prevented diving.

• A Pennsylvania couple accepted a $9,500 veterinary bill before knowing whether their cat would survive.

• In Walsall, England, a cat survived eight hours trapped inside a car engine.

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