Jacksonville, IL pup saved from fire. Pet oxygen masks: the gift of life for fire departments.

November 9, 1:23 PMSt. Louis Pets ExaminerMary Bushnell

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It is estimated that more than 40,000 pets die of smoke inhalation each year in house fires. Until a few years ago, even if firefighters were able to get to them, there was little they could do to revive them. For a lot of lucky pets fire departments nationwide are now becoming equipped with kits especially designed for saving the  lives of all family members, even the four legged ones.

Not common place by any means, but growing in numbers,community groups are beginning to raise the funds needed to supply oxygen masks to local fire departments for pets. They usually have a trio of canine sizes and one designed for cats. They can be adjusted to even save a bird if need be.   Up until now the only alternative was to try to use the human mask, which just was about impossible to make work, or for the truly dedicated, mouth to mouth. The financial costs for the masks are relatively small, but to the families that love these pets the benefits are priceless.

A Jacksonville, IL family lost everything last week to a house fire, except their 8 month old lab puppy, Princess. The family wasn’t home, but firefighters found Princess by the back door in very bad shape. Two firefighters carried the unresponsive pup out and put on the mask, which the department had been given only one week before. One firefighter monitored the mask while the other started chest compressions. It took 10 minutes before there was any sign of life, but then she slowly came back. It took an entire tank of oxygen and the life saving equipment donated to the department; not to mention the dedication and love of the firefighters that fought so hard to bring the pup back.

What started out years ago as veterinary equipment  to supply anesthesia and oxygen has become a life saving tool for fire departments. Please check with your local fire department to see if they have the kits they would need to save a life of a beloved pet.   Cold weather and the holidays are around the corner; this means that the incidence of house fires increases dramatically.  People use space heaters, fireplaces and candles this time of year. Unfortunately these items are all notorious for causing fires.  No one wants to see lives lost, human or otherwise due to the lack of the right equipment.  Join your local humane groups and private organizations when they ask for donations for these life saving masks. 

Thanks for reading!   keepsake16@yahoo.com