Page 26 THE VILLADOM TIMES I & III • February 12, 2014 American Red Cross issues pet first aid app Pets are an important part of many families, and the new Red Cross Pet First Aid App puts life saving information right in the hands of dog and cat owners so they can provide emergency care until veteri- nary assistance is available. The 99 cent app gives iPhone and Android smartphone users instant access to expert information so they learn how to maintain their pet’s health and what to do during emergencies. “Pet owners learn how to recognize health problems and when to contact their veterinarian,” said Mathieu Nelessen, regional CEO, American Red Cross North Jersey Region. “The Pet First Aid App provides 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 emer- gencies.” Additional topics include burns, car accidents, falls and what to do for cold- and heat-related emergencies. Other features in the app allow pet owners to: • Create a pet profile including tag identification number, photos, list of med- ications, and instructions. • Use the list of early warning signs to learn when to call the veterinarian. • Use “click-to-call” to contact the vet- erinarian. • Find emergency pet care facilities or alternate veterinarians with the “animal hospital locator.” • Locate pet-friendly hotels. • Test their knowledge with interac- tive quizzes and earn badges that they can share on their social networks along with their favorite picture of their pet. History shows that people have not evacuated during disasters because they did not want to leave their pets behind. The Red Cross app contains resources to help owners include pets in their emergency action plans. Pet owners may also take a Red Cross Pet First Aid course so they can practice the skills and receive feedback. People can go to redcross.org/takeaclass for information and to register. The Red Cross has made great strides in making emergency information available whenever and wherever people need it. The Pet First Aid App and other Red Cross apps can be found in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross or by going to redcross.org/mobileapps. The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for- profit organization that depends on volun- teers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, visit redcross.org. The American Red Cross North Jersey Region provides programs and services throughout Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren counties, with a combined popu- lation of 5.7 million. The region trains and mobilizes more than 3,000 volunteers who support the delivery of services in the community. Last year, the Red Cross North Jersey Region responded to 485 local home fires, helping 1,269 displaced families; collected more than 26,500 units of blood through blood drives and Red Cross Blood Donation Centers; provided 1,985 military family case services with emergency messages, helping families find assistance and/or get counseling and referrals; and trained 79,341 individuals with life-saving skills in preparedness, CPR, AED use, first aid, and aquatics. Follow the North Jersey Region on Twit- ter @RedCrossNorthNJ. Expert: More breeders mean fewer shelter dogs Does the title of this article sound like an oxymoron? It’s not and here’s why. Reputable hobby breeders are breeding for health and temperament and, most impor- tantly, for the love of the breed. They will take any of their dogs back at any time. They have right of first refusal in their contracts and do not ever want their dogs in shelters -- and they back it in writing. Where confusion often abounds is when people hear that pet store dogs come from breeders. They do, but they are com- mercial breeders who are breeding strictly for profit. The well-being of the dog is not their first priority. Dogs are often bred every heat cycle with little concern for their health. Pet store dogs can cost as much as three times what a hobby breeder would charge. No reputable breeder breeds a dog every heat cycle. They care as much about the dogs that are being bred as they do the puppies. To find a reputable hobby breeder, visit the American Kennel Club website, www. akc.org, and research the right breed for you. AKC has helpful tools that can guide you through the process. For example, Border Collie + Couch Potato = Not a match! You might consider a rescue from a breed rescue group or a shelter dog. Most people are aware of the benefits and draw- backs of getting a shelter or rescue dog, so the focus here is to clear up confusion between reputable breeders and commer- cial pet store breeders. There are many benefits to buying from a reputable hobby breeder. The AKC is all about responsible breeding. Repu- table breeders will respect your questions. Ask about any health issues in their lines. A reputable breeder will not breed a dog with known health issues. A reputable breeder will insist on interviewing prospective buyers and they are very particular about who buys their dogs. Some of the benefits of buying from a reputable hobby breeder include the responsibility they have to take their dogs back, which is key when it comes to preventing more shelter dogs. They spend a lot of time socializing their puppies in those critical first three months. Dogs can be socialized later, but it is much harder and a lot of work. Breeders know that pup- pies learn their bite inhibition from their littermates. Next time you hear someone say “never buy a dog,” enlighten them about the advantages of buying from a reputa- ble hobby breeder. Don’t be persuaded by well-intentioned friends or peer pressure that you should only consider a shelter or rescue. Hobby breeders put in a lot of time and money and barely break even. They do all the right things to ensure, as much as possible with living things, that their buyers have a wonderful, healthy pet with an excellent temperament. Do your own research and decide what is best for you and your family. Those who choose well will experience years of joy and happiness with their new family member. This article was submitted by Heidi Wise, president of Coddled Creatures, LLC.