Although the holiday season offers us a bit of welcome time off and lots of joyful gatherings, it is also, unfortunately, a high risk time for house fires. Burning candles, rarely used ovens, dried out Christmas Trees, and higher use of space heaters all contribute to the statistical rise in fire risk. When a house fire occurs that includes a pet, Firefighters have to improvise their rescue efforts. When a pet is brought out of a burning building and needs oxygen, they are at much higher risk if the only masks are made for humans. The tragedy of losing a family member is devastating when animals succumb to smoke inhalation. That’s why Greg and Susan Clore with Invisible Fence of the Bay wanted to share the Project Breathe™ program with Bay Woof.
This program was established in 2006 with the goal of equipping every fire station in the United States and Canada with pet oxygen masks. The specifically designed masks allow firefighters and EMS staff to give oxygen to pets who are suffering from smoke inhalation when they are rescued from fires and often save pets’ lives. Although the number of pets that perish in fires is not an official statistic kept by the U.S. Fire Administration, industry web sites and sources have cited an estimated 40,000 to 150,000 pets perish from fire each year, most succumbing to smoke inhalation. In most areas, emergency responders are unequipped to properly deal with the crisis. The loss is terrible for the family and heart wrenching for firefighters.
Invisible Fence® Brand has donated a total of more than 12,400 pet oxygen masks to fire stations throughout the U.S. and Canada during the nine years of the program.
“When a family suffers the tragedy of a fire, lives are turned upside down,” said Ed Hoyt, Director of Invisible Fence® Brand. “Pets are valued family members, so we want families to know that their pet can be cared for if tragedy strikes. We realize that humans are the first-priority, but in many cases, pets can be saved if firefighters have the right equipment. The Project Breathe™ program is simply a way of giving firefighters the tools necessary to save pets’ lives.”
Greg and Susan Clore are looking for local fire departments and rescue organizations in the area that are in need of this pet saving equipment. Requests for a donation can be made by department personnel on the Invisible Fence® Brand website at www.invisiblefence.com/o2. If you are a community member and would like your local department to carry these kits, the Clores ask that you talk to your local department, share the Project Breathe™ program initiative and ask that they fill out the request form online.
Christina Landwehr is the Community Outreach for Invisible Fence Brand. Invisible Fence® Brand has been in the pet safety solutions business locally for over 20 years keeping pets safe.
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