Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
SALT LAKE CITY (April 12, 2026) — Pets are family, and they need emergency plans, too. For Pet First Aid Awareness Month, the American Red Cross of Utah provides pet owners with practical tools to prepare for emergencies, including the free Pet First Aid App, an online pet first aid class and guidance on building a pet first aid kit.
The Red Cross Pet First Aid App provides step-by-step guidance for common pet emergencies, helping owners respond when a pet is choking, bleeding, having a seizure or struggling to breathe. The app also includes information on emergency supplies, when to contact a veterinarian and how to locate pet care facilities or pet-friendly hotels. The Pet First Aid App is available by texting GETPET to 90999, visiting redcross.org/apps or searching for American Red Cross in app stores.
“When a pet is hurt or suddenly gets sick, people often don’t know where to start,” said Benjamin Donner, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Central and Southern Utah Chapter. “Clear, accessible information helps owners stay calm, act quickly and make good decisions for their pets.”
Build a Pet First Aid Kit
Creating a pet first aid kit is essential because emergencies can happen at any time, and responding quickly can mean the difference between a minor issue and a serious emergency. A pet first aid kit can make those first few minutes easier to manage and give owners the tools they need while seeking veterinary care. The Red Cross Pet First Aid App includes guidance on assembling both a pet first aid kit and a larger emergency kit.
A basic kit should include gloves, gauze, an elastic bandage, a clean cloth, a flashlight and emergency contact numbers for a veterinarian and an after-hours animal hospital. Leashes, carriers, food, water, medications and identification photos should also be kept together in a place that is easy to reach. A muzzle or soft cloth should also be included, as even gentle pets may bite when frightened or in pain.
A pet first aid kit should be kept in a convenient location, and everyone in the household should know where it is. A smaller kit can also be packed for travel, hiking or camping.
Take the Cat and Dog First Aid Online Course
The American Red Cross also offers an online Cat and Dog First Aid course that covers the basics of pet first aid in about 30 minutes. The course covers how to check a pet’s vital signs and what to do if an animal is choking, wounded, having a seizure or needs CPR.
It also includes preventive care and general pet health tips, helping owners recognize signs of illness and know when a pet may need immediate veterinary care. More information is available at redcross.org/catdogfirstaid.
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.
