[Volunteer Claudia]

April is National Pet First Aid Awareness Month

YOUR Humane Society SPCA’s Board Director, Dr. Kelly Vernon, reminds pet owners that April is National Pet First Aid Awareness Month. During your time as a pet owner, you may encounter an emergency with your pet and YOUR Humane Society SPCA wants to make sure you are prepared by offering a few tips. First, it is important to have a well stocked first aid kit for your pets when at home or travelling. There are many printable lists that can be accessed online, but we are listing the main items below. You can add other items to your kit that you may find specifically helpful to accommodate your individual pet.
• A copy of your pet’s health record and a list of any medications they take
• Bandage materials such as gauze, non-stick bandages, and non-adhesive bandage wraps
• Latex gloves
• Antibiotic ointment (such as Neosporin)
• Hand sanitizer
• Grease-cutting dish soap
• Thermometer (not oral)
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Penlight or small flashlight
• Styptic pencil or other clotting powder
• Instant cold pack
• Blanket and extra leash
• Soft muzzle (Please know that in a situation where your pet is hurt, having a soft muzzle to use can be important to prevent biting while attempting to treat an injury. Even the most patient and kind pet may bite when in pain.)

To not waste valuable time searching when in any emergency, have three important phone numbers and addresses stored now in your phone directory and with your first aid kit:
1. Your primary veterinarian’s contact info
2. Your local after-hours veterinary emergency center
3. Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661

YOUR Humane Society SPCA encourages you to keep your first aid kit handy within your household and to bring it along whenever you travel with your pet. Keeping a second smaller kit in your car is also a great idea. Be sure to check the kit on occasion to ensure nothing is out of date or damaged and remember to refill anything after using the kit. Consider signing up for a local pet first aid course from a qualified professional too.

YOUR Humane Society SPCA is a 501(c)3 non-profit, no-kill organization helping animals in need throughout their community as Sumter County’s oldest and largest private no-kill shelter. Donations directly help to cover the cost of saving, treating and caring for neglected, abused and abandoned animals. Learn more about them at hsspca.org, 352-793-9117, on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter or visit them at 994 CR 529A, in Lake Panasoffkee, FL. Office open: Mon.-Fri. 8am-4:00pm, Animal Areas: Mon.-Fri. 9:00am-3:00pm, Sat.: Animal Areas & Office 9:00am-3:00pm. Sun.: Closed. Visitors are always welcome however, due to COVID-19 concerns, visitors are requested to make an appointment until further notice.