Patent ID: 8622929

Claim:
A device for collecting a blood sample from an animal on sampling media placed next to the animal's flesh, the device comprising: a holder for holding the sampling media for placement on the flesh of an animal; spike means operable to first pass through the sampling media and to then penetrate into the flesh of the animal to create a puncture site to allow blood emerging from the site to be collected by the sampling media during and/or after penetration of the flesh; a retainer for temporarily retaining the device on the animal whilst blood is collected on the sampling media and for allowing the device to be removed from the animal substantially intact for subsequent removal of the sampling media with the blood from the device, and a press pad located, in use, to sandwich the flesh between the sampling media and the press pad as the spike means are driven into the flesh, wherein, at least a part of the retainer is adapted to be driven into and/or through the animal's flesh to temporarily retain the device on the animal.