American Red Cross Offering Pet Care App

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

Pets are an important part of many families and a new American Red Cross Pet First Aid App puts lifesaving information right in the hands of dog and cat owners so they can provide emergency care until veterinary assistance is available.

Red Cross Northeast Georgia Chapter Executive Director Joni Smith said the 99-cent Pet First Aid app gives iPhone and Android smart phone users instant access to expert information so they learn how to maintain their pet’s health and what to do during emergencies.

Smith said the app offers a host of useful information for pet owners.

“It has all kinds of information. It’s just like having a book on your phone,” she said. “It covers more than 25 emergency situations, like how to control bleeding, how to treat wounds, how to treat cardiac emergencies in  your animals.”  Smiths says additional topics include burns, car accidents, falls and what to do for cold- and heat-related emergencies.

She also said the app contains other features  that allows pet owners to create a pet profile, including tag identification number, photos, list of medications and instructions.

In addition, she said it has a “click-to-call” feature that allows users to contact their veterinarian or find emergency pet care facilities or alternate veterinarians with the “animal hospital locator.”

However, Smith said it has even more features.

“It can locate pet-friendly hotels, or pet care facilities,” Smith said. “There’s also an educational component where you can be quizzed to learn how to care for your pet.”

The app is available under the American Red Cross Apps in both the Android Store or iPhone App Store.