Blood Donor Spotlight: Sir Squeaks A Lot & Piggy Smalls

Every two seconds, someone is in need in lifesaving blood and volunteer blood donors are the only source.

That makes all blood donors heroes – even the furry, four-legged ones.

Photo credit: Ben Read

Meet Sir Squeaks a Lot and his partner, Piggy Smalls. The pair of guinea pigs were abandoned in an apartment hallway and recently rescued by Jess Meacham.

“A neighbor called and said I don’t know what to do,” Meacham explained. “Unfortunately, we get emergency calls all the time.”

Meacham founded the Buffalo Guinea Pig Rescue Mafia one year ago and has since helped to rescue and find homes for more than 100 local guinea pigs. When Oliver, one of the first guinea pigs she helped to place in a loving home took a turn for the worse, Meacham says she never expected what would happen next.

“Oliver’s veterinarian did a full work up and it turns out he had three bladder stones and needed surgery,” she explained. “After surgery he went down hill very quickly and his doctor recommended a blood transfusion. I’ve had experience as a human blood donor before, but never with animals.”

Given their age and size, Meacham brought Sir Squeaks a Lot and Piggy Smalls to the veterinarian to see if either might be a match for a blood transfusion in Oliver’s case. She says the veterinarian shared that given Oliver’s condition what happened next was nothing short of a miracle.

“Sir Squeaks a Lot saved the day. He’s literally a hero and saved Oliver’s life. Oliver looks fantastic now.”

Now, Sir Squeaks a Lot is looking for a hero of his own. He and his pal Piggy Smalls are up for adoption. The two come as a pair as Meacham says that Guinea Pigs don’t like to be separated from their partners.

“They’re big old sweeties the both of them and they love each other a whole bunch.”

You can be a hero like Sir Squeaks a Lot by making your own appointment to give blood or platelets and help keep the blood supply strong this summer. Type O blood products are most needed on hospital shelves right now – especially in the face of seasonal challenges like severe weather, summer fun and more.

Make the world brighter for patients in need. Schedule your appointment to donate blood or platelets today by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800 RED CROSS or downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor app to your smartphone.