Help Keep Your Pets Safe with Free Pet First Aid App

April 14, 2025

It’s Pet First Aid Awareness Month and the American Red Cross has an app and online class that teaches pet owners what to do to help their furry friends until they can get to their veterinarian.

For instance, what if your pet is choking, or eats something they shouldn’t? What if the situation is so serious there is no time to get to your veterinarian? With the free Pet First Aid app, you can learn what to do if facing a pet emergency. There is also expert guidance on how to maintain your pet’s health, what to do in emergencies, and how to include pets in your preparedness plans.

You can also learn what emergency supplies to have, when you should contact your veterinarian, and where to find a pet care facility or pet-friendly hotel. Learn how to assemble a pet first aid kit and an emergency kit.

You’ll also have access to step-by-step instructions, videos and images for more than 25 common first aid and emergency situations including how to treat wounds, control bleeding, and care for breathing and cardiac emergencies.

How can you get the Pet First Aid app? Download it by texting ‘GETPET’ to 90999, by going to redcross.org/apps, or by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in app stores.

The app also allows pet owners to:

Create a pet profile with tag identification number, photos, list of medications and instructions.
Access the list of early warning signs to know when to see a veterinarian.
Find emergency pet care facilities or alternate veterinarians with the ‘animal hospital locator.’
Test their knowledge with interactive quizzes and earn badges that they can share on their social networks along with their favorite picture of their pet.

CAT AND DOG FIRST AID ONLINE COURSE You can register and access this course here and go through the content at your own pace. It takes about 30 minutes to complete the course and you can stop and pick up where you left off if you need to leave the training.

The interactive course includes:

How to determine your pet’s normal vital signs so you can notice if there are any irregularities
Step-by-step instructions and visual aids for what to do if a pet is choking, needs CPR, has a wound, or is having a seizure
Information on preventative care, health and tips for a pet’s well-being

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.