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You can learn more about how to provide first aid to your dogs and cats, and support a local rescue team’s work.
Putnam County’s Disaster Animal Response Team will teach the basics Saturday. DART’s Jeremy Richter said many pet owners may not realize they can provide CPR or first aid to pets, or that the process is different than with humans.
“It’s very important that this is something that those who love pets so much have the ability to learn these skills and be prepared to take care of their little furry friends,” Richter said. “And I think that it’s really important as the disaster animal response team to be able to offer this to our community and say, hey, this is just one more way that we can help improve our community.”
The classes raise money for the response team’s efforts. Richter said the movement began nationwide in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. They can help in a weather disaster with creating emergency shelters for animals that have been found. The team can also provide search and rescue efforts for animals.
Richter said the shelters give aid to owners who may need to leave dangerous situations.
“So that people could house their animals and they would be able to evacuate, and they would not feel the need to stay in place where it’s dangerous because they didn’t want to leave their pets, Richter said.
The class takes place Saturday at a cost of $75. Richter said all the money goes to support the Response Team. You can find out more information by searching Putnam County Disaster Animal Response team on social media.
Richter said the group also invites other interested animal owners to become part of the response team’s work.
“We meet on the first Sunday of every month, and we publish that and tell people, ‘hey, this is when and where. What we’re doing,'” Richter said. “And the best way to get involved is to just show up and start. Just show up and start and learn what we’re all about. And we also have credentialing classes throughout the year and training stuff that will get you up and running.”
