Area Firefighters Now Equipped to Save Pets' Lives

The Hallowell and Farmingdale Fire Departments are now equipped to resuscitate family pets rescued during home fires and other emergencies, thanks to a donation of two sets of pet oxygen masks from at-home pet care services provider Canine Company.

Hallowell Fire Chief Jim Owens contacted the company this fall after learning about it charitable program to provide the masks free to municipalities where the company's customers live. He requested two sets of masks – one for Hallowell and one for neighboring Farmingdale.

Family pets are at special risk in home fires since they can’t leave the house without help. An estimated 40,000 die each year from smoke inhalation. The cone-shaped masks are designed for a pet’s snout, which human masks don’t fit. Each set includes three sizes fitting a wide range of pets – from small mammals to giant breed dogs -- and connect to standard oxygen tanks the rescue teams carry.

“Our company was founded by a family of pet lovers and our mission is to help other families keep their pets healthy, safe and happy,” said Renee Coughlin of Canine Company. “Our goal is to get these in to the hands of first responders wherever our clients live so they are ready to handle an emergency involving family pets.”

To help ensure firefighters know there are pets in need of rescued, Canine Company is offering free “pets inside” decals that families can place on a front door or window. To request a decal, go to https://www.caninecompany.com/topic/petdecal.aspx.

Canine Company (www.caninecompany.com) provides at-home services to keep pets healthy, safe and happy, including Invisible Fence® brand pet containment systems and Manners dog obedience training. The company has donated more than 160 pet oxygen mask kits to more than 50 communities across New England, New York and New Jersey so far this year.