Lake County Vet Donates Pet Oxygen Masks to Area Fire Departments

LAKE VILLA, IL - A Lake County veterinarian has a goal of equipping as many local fire departments as possible with oxygen masks for pets -- with the hopes of saving the lives of more cats and dogs caught in fires throughout the county.

Christina Barcus owns the Canine Center in Lake Villa and has been using some of her business’s proceeds, and has also been taking donations, as she raises money for the pet oxygen masks and kits.

“I have been very fortunate to have my business grow in recent years and I wanted to give back to the community that helped get my business up and going in recent years,” said Barcus.

So far, Barcus has donated four kits to the Lake Villa Department. The Grayslake and Round Lake fire departments are next on her list to receive donated kits.

Many fire departments are unable to purchase the kits, which are $90 apiece, because of funding issues, Barcus said.

“Most people own pets and people consider their pets a part of their family,” Barcus said.

And she said in the event of a fire, the oxygen masks could mean the difference between life or death for their pets.

“When there is a fire, an animal will go and hide. When dogs and cats get scared, they go and find a place to feel safe,” Barcus said. She said a lot of times, firefighters will find the animals passed out in the fire and this is when the oxygen masks are needed.

Barcus is purchasing the kits through the Wag'N O2 Fur Life Program, which has provided its pet oxygen kits to nearly 3,000 fire departments throughout North America. The masks, which are specially-designed for animals, can be used both on conscious pets that have suffered from smoke inhalation and pets that need to be resuscitated after losing consciousness from exposure to dangerous toxic fumes. Barcus said the kits come with easy-to-follow instructions for the firefighters.

More via the Canine Center Facebook page

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