Project Breathe Provides Fire Departments with Pet Oxygen Masks

Nearly all fire fighters have seen people try to rush back into a burning building to save their pets, and most understand that pets are indeed beloved family members. Although the number of pets that die in fires is not an official statistic kept by the U.S. Fire Administration, industry web sites have estimated that 40,000 to 150,000 pets die each year in fires; most succumbing to smoke inhalation.

Most emergency responders are not equipped to deal with the crisis because they lack specially designed pet oxygen masks. A human oxygen mask is too flat and not able to cover the snout to give enough oxygen to the animal. With the right equipment, firefighters and EMS rescuers can often save a pet's life.

To fill this need, Invisible Fence Brand started Project Breathe, a pet oxygen mask donation program, to provide oxygen mask kits to first responders. The goal of Project Breathe is to ensure that every fire department and rescue unit is equipped with these life-saving pet oxygen masks. To date, they have donated more than 10,000 masks to fire stations throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Fire departments are eligible to receive one kit per station. These masks can be used on dogs and cats of all sizes. Each kit includes three mask sizes - small: for animals up to 20 pounds; medium: for animals up to 50 pounds; and large: for animals 50 pounds and above.

The masks have a rubber seal to create an airtight seal around the animal’s snout. The first responder can hold the mask on the pet and bring it back to consciousness. With these masks, first responders can provide lifesaving support until veterinary care can be obtained.

If you are a member of a local fire department and would like to receive a pet oxygen mask kit for your station, visit the Invisible Fence website, and complete the donation request form.

If you would like to make a financial donation to Project Breathe to help support this program, please visit their website at http://www.invisiblefence.com/Giving-Back/Project-Breathe.