Sherborn Firefighters Receive Donation of Life-Saving Equipment for Pets

The Sherborn Fire Department has received a donation of three sets of pet oxygen masks from at-home pet services provider Canine Company.

The special equipment will help firefighters resuscitate family pets they rescue during home fires and other emergencies. Fire Chief Erron Kinney accepted the donation, noting that, earlier in his career, he had rescued both dogs and cats from house fires and knows firsthand how valuable the masks can be.

Family pets are at special risk in home fires because they can’t leave the house without help. An estimated 40,000 die each year from smoke inhalation. The cone-shaped masks donated by Canine Company 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.

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.

“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. “We do that with the services we offer and it’s the focus of our charitable programs, too.”

“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,” she added.

In the last year alone, Canine Company has donated the mask kits to more than 80 communities across New England, New York and New Jersey including more than a dozen in Middlesex and Norfolk counties. Other fire departments in the area that have received donations include Franklin, Needham, Millis, Sudbury, Wayland, Wellesley and Weston.

Canine Company (www.caninecompany.com) provides at-home services to keep pets healthy, safe and happy, including Invisible Fence® Brand pet containment systems, Manners dog obedience training and mobile grooming. Its charitable Canine Gives campaign supports pet rescue groups and donates pet oxygen masks to first responders.