Calls for mandatory first aid qualifications for pet professionals
"Simple first aid skills could save a pet's life" - Jocelyn Toner, RSPCA.
A petition has been launched calling for mandatory first aid qualifications for all UK pet professionals.
The Safe Pets and People Campaign calls on dog groomers, dog walkers, breeders or pet sitters to have first aid training so they can act fast should the animal in their care become injured or unwell.
The campaign is the brainchild of Sarah Mackay and Fern Gresty of training provider iPET Network, which is offering key workers who come into contact with dogs the chance to undertake a dog first aid qualification for free.
National charity RSPCA, Street Paws and The Groomers Spotlight are among the animal organisations that have welcomed the initiative.
RSPCA head vet Jocelyn Toner said: “We advise that all professional dog walkers should have first aid training, and we’d be supportive of any campaign to roll this out to include all individuals who work within the pet industry.
“Simple first aid skills could save a pet’s life or ensure an animal receives immediate care before they’re able to see a vet and we think it’s a wonderful idea that the Safe Pets and People Campaign wants all pet professionals - from groomers to breeders - to have basic first aid training.”
Street Paws founder Michelle Southern added: "We are proud to support Safe Pets and People as the more people that have these vital first aid skills the better.
“From our perspective as a charity offering canine first aid is opening real doors for the homeless people and their dogs that we support. Having this knowledge and other skills allows hostels to be safer and more dog friendly, and that means safe beds on these cold winter nights for people and their loyal companions."
At the time of writing, the petition had garnered more than 500 signatures. To find out more and to lend your support to the campaign, visit change.org
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
