Pottersville Firefighters Receive Donation of Pet Oxygen Masks

The Pottersville Volunteer Fire Department has received a donation of two sets of specially designed 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.

Captain Lewis Moore III requested the masks after learning about the donation program from neighboring Peapack and Gladstone Volunteer Fire Department, which previously received a donation from Canine Company.

“Pottersville Fire is excited to have these new masks because it helps expand our services to residents and now to animals,” said Captain Moore. “This new tool will help provide care to animals until they can be seen by a vet. Being in a rural area it may take a long time to get to the vet or a while before someone can come check the animal out. These devices will prevent crucial time from being wasted and immediate care to begin.”

Family pets are at special risk during a home fire because they are unable to leave the house without help. An estimated 40,000 die each year from smoke inhalation. The cone-shaped pet masks are designed for a pet’s snout, which human masks do not 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 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.

“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,” she added.

So far this year, Canine Company has donated more than 165 mask kits to first responders in 56 communities across New England, New York and New Jersey, including several other Middlesex counties communities. For information, visit www.caninecompany.com or call 800-818-3647.

Canine Company provides at-home pet care products and services including the Invisible Fence® brand pet containment systems and Manners obedience training to pet parents.