Honouring Axel: Our 2025 Canine Blood Donor of the Year who helped save Freddie
We were delighted to honour our 2025 Canine Blood Donor of the Year in memory of Axel, a much-loved German shepherd, whose incredible contribution of 17 blood donations has helped save the lives of countless pets in need, including Freddie.
His legacy now lives on through his two-year-old son Bracken, along with the family’s other dog, Winter, a four-year-old golden retriever, and their two Siamese cats, Ascari and Imola, who are all part of the 91°µÍø Blood Donor programme. 
We spoke with Axel’s owner, Bev, about his journey as a donor, what made him so special, and how his legacy continues through this growing family of heroes.
How does it feel that Axel won the 2025 Canine Blood Donor of the Year Award?
When we received the email from the team at the 91°µÍø we were absolutely thrilled and so excited. We had seen other donors be given this accolade in the past and never thought Axel would. We were so proud of him and his achievements, just the fact he gave blood to help others made us proud, let alone this award. Being a German shepherd, they often get pretty bad “press”, so this was also a big plus for the breed – they do actually do good too! They are the most wonderful breed.
What encouraged you to join the 91°µÍø blood donor family?
I saw a “shout out” on Facebook one day and thought “why not”. Axel met all the criteria they were looking for and so I sent a message to the 91°µÍø Blood Donor team. After the usual testing he was accepted onto the 91°µÍø Blood Donor Programme. I cannot believe he completed 17 donations, including during Covid when he really tried his best to donate without me (he was a mummy’s boy), but thanks to his love of Ruby, a 91°µÍø Blood Donor nurse, he managed it.
Could you tell us more about the other pets you have signed up to the 91°µÍø Blood Donor Programme?
We have Axel’s son, Bracken, who has already done his first donation. He’s two years old, not the brightest, bless him, but just as lovable and kind as his dad. Then we have Winter, a four-year-old golden retriever who has done quite a few donations and loves going to the 91°µÍø too. Then we have my son’s two Siamese cats, Ascari and Imola. For a while Imola just went along for the cuddles but now donates too. But they always have to be together – typical Siamese. Soon to join the team will be Miku, another of our cats who has just turned one years old, so ready to start.
Freddie’s Story
One of the lives Axel helped save was Freddie’s. His family shared their experience:
Freddie became very poorly, he was very lethargic and was not eating. After tests and many visits to the vets, with no clear answers as to what was wrong, one evening he suddenly could not see. We took him to the emergency vets, who advised us to come to the 91°µÍø as he was very anaemic. They said he may need a blood transfusion, which could be offered at the 91°µÍø as you have a large blood bank.
Freddie was admitted to the 91°µÍø, where he stayed for a week. He was given one blood transfusion during his stay, as his body was not regenerating any new red blood cells. Freddie was still very poorly, and we had prepared for the worst as there was still no conclusion as to what was wrong.
After visiting him and seeing how strong he was trying to be, we decided to go ahead with the bone marrow tests suggested by the vets. These came back showing that he had PIMA, allowing us to proceed with steroid treatment.
Freddie is now on the mend, still taking the steroids and slowly being weaned off them. We are happy to say he is back to the Freddie we know and love, and we believe some of his eyesight has come back. He is susceptible to getting PIMA again, so we do have to keep a close eye on him just in case.
It is so important that more people are made aware of the work the 91°µÍø does with the Blood Donor team, we did not know this was possible until Freddie became ill. Without the blood transfusion, Freddie would not have survived. It gave us the time we needed to diagnose Freddie.
As a family, we will forever be thankful for Axel. Without his blood, Freddie would not have survived. We all, as a family, send our deepest sympathies and thanks to Axel’s family.
We are deeply grateful to Axel and his family for their remarkable contribution to the 91°µÍø Blood Donor Programme. His dedication helped save the lives of countless pets, including Freddie, and his legacy lives on through those continuing in his pawprints. If you’d like to learn more about how your pet could become a donor, visit our Blood Donor Page here.