Hyundai Motor and Konkuk University Open 'KU I'm Dogner Blood Donation Center'

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] Hyundai Motor Company announced on the 18th that it has opened the ‘KU I’M DOgNOR Blood Donation Center’ in collaboration with Konkuk University to establish and spread a culture of blood donation for companion dogs.

Attending the opening ceremony were Yoo Won-ha, Head of Hyundai Motor’s Domestic Business Division; Kim Yoon-soo, Head of Hyundai Motor’s Domestic Marketing Office; Yoo Ja-eun, Chairman of Konkuk University; Jeon Young-jae, President of Konkuk University; Cho Nam-sun, Director of the Blood Management Headquarters of the Korean Red Cross; Lee Heon-seung, member of the National Assembly from the People Power Party and co-representative of the Animal Welfare Parliamentary Forum; Han Jeong-ae, member of the National Assembly from the Democratic Party; and other related officials.

Located near the university-affiliated animal hospital on Konkuk University’s Seoul campus, the ‘KU I’M DOgNOR Blood Donation Center’ is Asia’s first blood donation institution for companion dogs, established as part of a business agreement Hyundai Motor signed with Konkuk University in January.

Hyundai Motor and Konkuk University plan to ultimately resolve the issue of blood donor dogs bred solely for blood supply through the ‘KU I’M DOgNOR Blood Donation Center,’ while securing healthy and diverse blood supplies and providing rapid distribution. They expect to build a nationwide blood supply network for companion dogs.

Guardians wishing to have their companion dogs donate blood can easily apply through the ‘KU I’M DOgNOR Blood Donation Center’ website. Benefits will be provided to donor dogs, including free health checkups and one free blood transfusion after donation. Additionally, dogs that have donated blood three or more times through the center will receive a 10% discount on medical fees when using the Konkuk University-affiliated animal hospital.

Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor will support a total of 1 billion KRW over five years for the establishment and operation of the ‘KU I’M DOgNOR Blood Donation Center.’ They will also specially produce and donate a ‘Pet Ambulance’ to assist with the center’s operations.

The ‘Pet Ambulance’ specially produced by Hyundai Motor is Korea’s first animal-exclusive ambulance designed for companion dogs in emergency situations or donor dogs that have difficulty traveling by private vehicle. It features an intensive care unit (ICU) for meticulous treatment, a portable lighting device that can accurately illuminate wounds during transport, and a video information processing system that records emergency treatment details precisely.

The ‘Pet Ambulance’ service for donor dogs is provided free of charge every Wednesday at 1 p.m. within approximately 20 km of the blood donation center in the Seoul-Gyeonggi area. For emergency transport services for companion dogs in critical condition, the service is available on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. within about a 40 km radius of the blood donation center.

A Hyundai Motor official said, “We hope that the ‘KU I’M DOgNOR Blood Donation Center’ opened in collaboration with Konkuk University and the ‘Pet Ambulance’ donated by Hyundai Motor will enable healthier and more diverse companion dog blood to be supplied more quickly.” He added, “Hyundai Motor will continue to contribute to fostering a high-quality domestic culture of companion dog blood donation through ongoing support for the ‘I’M DOgNOR’ campaign and the ‘KU I’M DOgNOR Blood Donation Center.’”

Since 2019, Hyundai Motor has been running the ‘I’M DOgNOR’ campaign, operating a blood donation vehicle exclusively for companion dogs. In July, they also held an event at a professional K League soccer match where players entered the field together with donor dogs for the first time, continuously working to raise public awareness and expand infrastructure for companion dog blood donation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.