Pet Oxygen Masks Donated To Police By Garwood Business

GARWOOD, NJ — Invisible Fence of Union County in Garwood has donated three sets of specially designed oxygen masks for pets to the Rahway Police Department.

"Pets don’t know to get out when there's a fire. They hide and often end up with smoke inhalation," said Mike Kelly of Invisible Fence of Union County. "Human oxygen masks just don’t fit over an animal's snout, so rescue personnel have difficulty reviving pets. With these masks, first responders can deliver oxygen – and save pets' lives."

Each pet oxygen mask set includes three reusable masks in different sizes that can be used on pets from a rabbit up through giant-breed dogs. The masks connect to the standard oxygen tanks rescue teams carry.

"We truly appreciate this donation and we know these masks will make a difference. Most of us are pet lovers and are glad to have a tool to help us save animals’ lives," Andrew Tkach of Rahway Police Department said.

The donation is part of the company's nationwide Project Breathe initiative to outfit first responders across the country with the lifesaving resources. It was launched after the company learned that an estimated 150,000 pets die in fires each year, with most succumbing to smoke inhalation.

To date, more than 11,500 pet oxygen kits have been donated across the United States and Canada.

Fire departments and emergency rescue squads that do not yet have the masks can request them through the Invisible Fence Project Breathe webpage or contact Mike Kelly of Invisible Fence of Union County at 973-632-0714.

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