Abstract

Background and Aim: Veterinary biobanking advances translational research, companion animal health, and the ethical reuse of samples. Its success depends on public engagement and the pet owners’ willingness to contribute biological sam­ples. However, awareness and attitudes toward veterinary biobanking remain largely unexplored in the Baltic region. This study aimed to assess Latvian pet owners’ awareness, willingness to donate, motivations, and concerns regarding veterinary biobanking, and to identify demographic and professional factors influencing participation.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was distributed through social media and veterinary clinics across Latvia between April and May 2025. The questionnaire included 49 items covering awareness, willingness to donate, moti­vations, concerns, and demographics. Data from 164 pet owners were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Chi-square tests with Bonferroni correction, and logistic regression.

Results: Only 22% of respondents had prior awareness of veterinary biobanks. Despite this, 76% were willing to donate samples if their pet was seriously ill, and 67% even if their pet was healthy. Motivations included altruism (helping other animals), supporting veterinary research, and potential treatment benefits for their own pets. Key concerns centered on confidentiality (91%), the right to withdraw samples (60%), and control of sample use (45%). Professional background was significantly associated with both awareness (p = 0.0004) and willingness to donate (p = 0.0013). Logistic regression con­firmed that respondents in medical or veterinary professions were more likely to support donation (odds ratio = 3.31, 95% confidence interval = 1.54–7.12, p = 0.002). No significant associations were found with age, gender, education, or religion.

Conclusion: This first Baltic survey reveals that Latvian pet owners strongly support veterinary biobanking despite limited awareness. Altruism and the expected benefits of research drive participation, while ethical expectations regarding confi­dentiality, consent, and transparency remain crucial. The findings provide a foundation for developing national veterinary biobanking strategies, improving public communication, and integrating Latvia into European One Health and translational research infrastructures.

Keywords: comparative medicine, One Health, pet owners, public attitudes, translational research, veterinary biobank.