Medford Firefighters Now Equipped with Special Tool to Save Pets’ Lives

The Medford Fire Department has received a donation of three sets of specially designed pet oxygen masks to help first responders resuscitate pets rescued during house fires. The gift came from at-home pet services provider Canine Company.

Captain Mike Barry requested the donation after learning about Canine Company’s charitable campaign to get the life-saving masks into the hands of firefighters and other first responders in communities where it clients and their pets live.

To ensure firefighters know to look for pets in a home, Canine Company is providing free “pets inside” decals that Medford 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. “We do that with the services we offer and it’s the focus of our charitable programs, too.” In the last year alone, Canine Company has donated the mask kits to more than 80 communities across New York, New England and New Jersey.

Family pets are at risk because they are unable to leave the house. An estimated 40,000 die each year from smoke inhalation. The cone-shaped pet masks donated by Canine Company are designed for a pet’s snout, which human masks do not fit. Each set includes three sizes for a wide range of pets – from small mammals to giant breed dogs -- and connect to standard oxygen tanks the rescue teams carry.

Canine Company provides at-home services to keep pets healthy, safe and happy. The company serves families across New England, New York and New Jersey with the Invisible Fence® Brand pet containment system and Manners dog obedience training. Its charitable Canine Gives campaign supports pet rescue groups and donates pet oxygen masks to first responders. For information, visit www.caninecompany.com or call 800-818-3647.