Amherst Firefighters Receive Donation of Pet Oxygen Masks

Amherst Fire Rescue recently received a donation of four sets of pet oxygen masks from at-home pet care services provider Canine Company. The special equipment will help firefighters resuscitate family pets they rescue during home fires and other emergencies.

Canine Company contacted Chief Matthew Conley this fall at the suggestion of a local resident who learned about the mask donation campaign. The company has donated masks to several other fire departments in Hillsborough County, including Bedford, New Boston and Nashua.

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. 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. “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.” So far this year, Canine Company has donated more than 150 mask kits to over 50 communities across New England, New York and New Jersey.

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.

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. Its charitable Canine Love™ campaign supports pet rescue groups and donates pet oxygen masks to first responders.