Montgomery Township Fire Company #2 Receives Pet Oxygen Masks

Pet parents here can breathe a little easier because local first responders have a new tool to help save family pets in home fires and other emergencies. Montgomery Township Volunteer Fire Company #2 has received a donation of two sets of life-saving pet oxygen masks from at-home pet services provider Canine Company.

Fire Commissioner Brian Bonder requested the kits, after he learned about Canine Company’s campaign to donate the life-saving equipment from another fire department.

Family pets are at special risk during a home fire because they cannot to leave the house without help. An estimated 40,000 die each year nationwide from smoke inhalation. Human oxygen masks do not fit the shape of most pets’ snouts, making it difficult for first responders to provide life-saving oxygen on scene. The donated masks are designed for the shape of an animal’s snout. Each set includes masks in three sizes to fit a wide range of pets – from small mammals like rabbits to giant breed dogs.

“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,” says Renee Coughlin of Canine Company. “We do that with our products and services, and with our pet masks donation campaign. We want to be sure every pet has the best chance to survive in an emergency.”

To ensure rescuers know there are pets in a home, Canine Company provided free “Pets Inside” decals to the fire department for distribution to local pet parents. The stickers also can be ordered by mail on the company’s website through the Request a Decal form.

Canine Company helps families across New York, New England, and New Jersey keep their pets healthy, safe and happy at home with services like Invisible Fence pet containment systems and Manners dog obedience training. Over the past decade, Canine Company has donated mask kits to more than 500 fire departments and rescue squads across New England, New York and New Jersey. For information, visit www.caninecompany.com.

Founded in 1946, Montgomery Township Volunteer Fire Company #2 is the primary fire protection source for the residents of the southern portion of Montgomery Township. Its volunteers handle tasks from fire suppression to vehicle extrication to light technical rescue. The Company is always looking for new volunteers. For information, visit www.mtvfc2.com.