When individuals are rescued from house fires, they’re often offered oxygen masks to help their bodies recover from smoke inhalation and prevent cardiac arrest. When pets are pulled out of a structure or house fire, they may need supplemental oxygen too, but a traditional mask won’t fit.
Benefits of Pet Oxygen Masks
Pet oxygen masks, which are designed to be small enough to fit a cat or dog’s face, are being used by many town and city fire departments and first responders to help deliver supplemental oxygen to pets rescued from fires. Recently, EMTs used a pet oxygen mask to save the life of a family’s cat after it was rescued from the basement of a house that had caught fire. The cat was able to receive supplemental oxygen thanks to the pet oxygen mask provided by first responders; EMTs noted that this feline was the fourth pet to have used the mask so far.
Community Members Donate Pet Oxygen Masks to Local EMTs, First Responders
Many communities are working to raise money so that their first responders are equipped with pet oxygen masks in case of emergencies. In Pennsylvania, a pet daycare and supply center donated masks to their local fire department in case they respond to a fire in which pets need oxygen therapy. According to the center, Cold Nose Lodge, the fire department has already used the donated masks to save cats in a house fire. After Cold Nose Lodge learned that their masks were used in the fire, they wanted to donate additional masks for the town’s ambulances so that first responders always have masks on hand.
Communities Raise Funds For More Oxygen Masks
In addition to Pennsylvania, community members in other states and areas are working to raise money to buy pet oxygen masks for their local fire departments so that family members’ pets have access to portable oxygen after breathing in dangerous levels of smoke.
While pet masks are important to help save our furry friends’ lives, they are of no use unless fire departments and first responders have high-quality oxygen and tanks. As a trusted provider of medical gasses, CalOx is ready to supply oxygen and related equipment. CalOx also offers medical gas cylinders, and refill and delivery services. Contact us today to learn how our solutions can help your team.