Newton First Responders Receive 10 Sets of Pet Oxygen Masks

The Newton Fire Department and EMS has received a donation of 10 sets of pet oxygen masks from at-home pet services provider Canine Company. The special equipment will help first responders resuscitate family pets rescued during home fires and other emergencies.

To help ensure firefighters know there are pets in need of rescue, Canine Company is offering free “pets inside” decals that families can place on a front door or window. Decals are available by completing the Request a Decal form.

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.

“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.”

In the past year alone, Canine Company has donated more than 160 mask kits to first responders in over 50 communities across New England, New York and New Jersey, including to more than a dozen in Massachusetts. Other area departments that have received the masks include Bedford, Marlborough, Sherborn, Sudbury, Wayland, Wellesley and Weston. Fire departments that do not yet have the masks can request them by contacting www.caninecompany.com.

Canine Company 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.