Will you know what to do when your pet needs help?

Your pet depends on you for his or her well-being. In addition to providing daily care, love and affection, your best friend depends on you in an emergency. Whether your pet becomes ill or injured, or needs help in a disaster, the American Red Cross can help.

Our Pet First Aid course teaches you emergency care procedures for cats and dogs and provides tips for keeping your pet happy and healthy too.

Contact Health & Safety at 715-344-4052 or healthandsafety@charter.net. for more information about your local pet first aid course.

Learn How To :

• Administer medications
• Recognize an emergency
• Perform CPR and first aid
• Treat common problems and emergencies requiring immediate attention
• Stock a pet first aid kit

Your pet is part of your family. And just like any other member of the family, pets can become ill or injured. Would you know how to care for your pet in an emergency? Here are a few tips:

• Always approach a sick or injured animal slowly and cautiously.
• Watch the body expressions and sounds your pet makes to warn you. Even your own pet can be aggressive when in pain or frightened.
• Do not make quick, jerky, or loud movements. They might further scare your pet.
• When necessary, use towels or blankets to subdue cats or small dogs.
• Keep the phone number and address of your veterinarian in a convenient location.
• Have the phone number and address of an after-hours veterinary clinic on hand and keep directions to that clinic in the same place. Whenever possible, call ahead to let them know you'll be coming.
• Pay attention to what is normal for your pet so you can detect signals when something is wrong.

The American Red Cross Pet First Aid class can help you learn more about caring for your pet in an emergency. The course’s focus on dogs and cats does not replace the use of veterinary services but provides you with the knowledge to help keep your pet sustained until you reach an animal hospital.