Community Corner

WilCo EMS Gets Animal Oxygen Masks Donation

Equipment intended to save four-legged members of families needing emergency oxygen.

CEDAR PARK-LEANDER, TX -- In fire emergency scenes, animals are sometimes forgotten victims.

But now, Williamson County EMS officials will be armed with life-saving emergency equipment intended to save the lives of beloved pets overcome by smoke inhalation.

The Travis County Kennel Club of Austin has donated 20 specialized oxygen kits to WilCo EMS, which includes Cedar Park and Round Rock as part of its service area.

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The donation will provide for a kit at each of WilCos 15 ambulance and five for its command vehicles. The specially sized pet O2 masks will enable paramedics to treat animals needing oxygen at fire scenes.

The kennel club’s Williamson County donation is part of a larger gift. The club is donating a total of 60 pet oxygen kits to fire department throughout Central Texas as well as to the Texas Search and Rescue team.

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The kits were purchased with money raised from the Travis County Kennel Club AKC Dog Show.

“Losing your home to a fire can be devastating, but if we can help save your companion, then we will do our best to provide the needed care,” said Kenny Schnell, director of Williamson County EMS.

Kennel Club vice president Ron Henley said the donation was a no-brainer as club officials mulled how best to distribute their donations.

“The Travis County Kennel Club is all about pets and helping them, so this was a natural fit for our money to be used for a good purpose,” he said.

Williamson County officials have scheduled a brief ceremony Friday in accepting the equipment donation. It’s scheduled in the Williamson County Public Safety Building at 1781 E. Old Settlers Blvd. in Round Rock.

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