WETHERSFIELD, Conn. -- So many people own pets -- but not as many know the proper way to help them in a crisis.

About 63 percent of all U.S. households own at least one pet, the most popular of which is fish, followed by cats and dogs.

An estimated 88.3 million cats and close to 75 million dogs are living in homes across the country.

With the pet population increasing, the American Red Cross is teaching a course on pet first aid and CPR.

Dottie Mathein, a pet first aid instructor with the American Red Cross, addresses one scenario in which a dog bites another dog. Her advice is to first protect yourself before addressing the animals.

"We get the situation controlled, and from there, then it depends on how deep it is because punctures can be deeper than you think," Mathein said.

Mathein teaches people how to use gauze to bandage the wound and pressure to control the bleeding. Then, you secure the animal and get veterinary care.

With the help of Jerry the demo dog, she also teaches CPR and demonstrates how to give the animal four or five breaths by putting your mouth over his mouth and nose, then check his pulse.

If there's no pulse, it's time to start compressions.

"You're going to take the front arm, bring it back to the chest and it'll give you the point where you want to put your hand," Mathein said.

Then, you need to do 30 compressions, which is more than what you'd do on a human.

"It's going to take a while before you even have a chance to get a lot of oxygen up to that brain," Mathein said.

You may need two people so you can get to a vet as quickly as you can while keeping the CPR going.

The American Red Cross Charter Oak chapter in Hartford teaches the course monthly. If you can't make it, there are books with DVDs that share first aid advice, one for dogs and a separate one for cats.

Mathein said pet owners should only dial 911 when a person has been hurt because EMTs are not responsible for treating animals.

Pet Emergency Services In Connecticut

The following is a list compiled by the American Red Cross Charter Oak Chapter of 24-hour and/or off-hours animal emergency services facilities in Connecticut:

• Bolton Veterinary Hospital: 860-646-6134 | Web site
• Cheshire Veterinary Hospital: 203-272-3266
• Shoreline Animal Hospital, Clinton: 860-669-9374 | Web site
• Colchester Veterinary Hospital: 860-537-3435 | Web site
• Cromwell Veterinary Hospital and Kennels: 860-635-1979 | Web site
• Connecticut Veterinary Center, West Hartford: 860-233-8564 | Web site
• Farmington Valley Veterinary Emergency Hospital, Avon: 860-674-1886 | Web site
• Manchester PetSmart (Banfield in store): 860-644-0016
• New Haven Central Hospital for Veterinary Medicine: 203-865-0878 | Web site
• Veterinary Emergency Treatment Services, Oakdale: 860-444-8870

Charter Oak Chapter: You can take part in an American Red Cross Charter Oak pet first aid/CPR class by logging on to their Web site here

More Information

• National Animal Poison Control Center (ASPCA) (a fee-based service): 1-888-426-4435 | Web site
• Connecticut Humane Society, Newington: 1-800-452-0114 | Web site
• Humane Society of The United States: 1-202-452-1100 | Web site