Baltimore County Firehouses Now Equipped with Pet Oxygen Masks

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — A local company is working with first responders to help Baltimore County pets stay safe in the event of an emergency.

Invisible Fence of Baltimore donated 58 pet oxygen kits to Baltimore County fire stations Wednesday in an effort to protect animals that may need assistance after a fire. Each volunteer and career station in the county received a kit — which contains small, medium and large masks and costs almost $3,500.

"For many pet owners, cats, dogs and other animals are members of the family," Fire Chief John Hohman said. "We know how important it is to rescue them when we can."

Tens of thousands of pets are injured, some fatally, each year because of fire and smoke inhalation, according to estimates from industry experts.

The oxygen mask covers the muzzle of a pet and provides oxygen if there is a fire emergency.

“Being able to help our local firefighters save pets’ lives is very important to us,” Jeff Little, owner of Invisible Fence Brand of Baltimore, said in a statement.

Photo courtesy of Baltimore County Police and Fire.