Abstract: A device (1410) for collecting a blood sample from an animal has a holder for holding a sampling media (1456), one or more spikes (1418) that first pass through the sampling media (1456) and 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 (1456) during and/or after penetration of the flesh. The device has a retainer (1427) for temporarily retaining the device (1410) on the animal whilst blood is collected and for allowing the device (1410) to be removed from the animal substantially intact for subsequent removal of the sampling media (1456) from the device.

Abstract: A device (1410) for collecting a blood sample from an animal on sampling media placed (1456) next to the animal's flesh, the device comprising holding means () for holding the sampling media (1456) for placement on the flesh of an animal; spike means (1418) operable to first pass through the sampling media (1456) 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 (1456) during and/or after penetration of the flesh, and retaining means (1427) for temporarily retaining the device (1410) on the animal whilst blood is collected on the sampling media and for allowing the device (1410) to be removed from the animal substantially intact for subsequent removal of the sampling media (1456) with the blood from the device.