PET FIRST AID CLASS SCHEDULED
 FOR WEDNESDAY, OCT. 24TH
MARSHALLTOWN

Calling all pet owners!

Iowa Rivers Chapter American Red Cross is now offering "Pet First Aid for Cats and Dogs" to individuals in our service area. Participants will learn how to use basic first aid techniques to protect their pets from further harm or injury in emergency situations until they can be transported to the veterinarian. Skills include bandaging, choking, cardiac arrest, poisoning, seizures and life-threatening bleeding as well as eye and ear injuries

Cost for the three-hour class is $25 per person and includes an attendance certificate. The pet first aid handbook used in class may be purchased for an additional $10. Cat and dog manikins will be supplied by the Red Cross.

For more information, contact Iowa Rivers Chapter ARC by calling (641) 753-3317 (toll-free 877-792-3808) or emailing klostermanj@iowarivers-redcross.org.

We carry Pet First Aid Kits in stock.

"On March 17th, I took the American Red Cross Pet First Aid class at the Iowa Rivers Chapter headquarters in Marshalltown. The timing for my training could not have been better, for on July fourth, I was called by the American Humane Association to go on my third animal disaster relief mission. This call was to Miami, Oklahoma, which was severely flooded by the Noesho River.

When we arrived on the fourth, the flood waters were still raging, and our crew of specially trained rescuers saved a number of dogs and cats in dramatic boat rescues. As these animals were brought into the emergency shelter area, we cleaned them, bandaged wounds, and treated some shock. In the nine days that followed, we housed over 140 dogs and puppies and over 180 cats and kittens. Of those numbers, we only lost two dogs (one to parvo) and three cats that were just to near death to save.

I'm thankful that I was able to get the additional Pet First Aid training from the Iowa Rivers Chapter, it certainly made me a more effective volunteer."

                  
                                       Bill Grimes, State Center