Hazardville Fire Department Now Equipped with Pet Oxygen Masks

The Hazardville Fire Department has added specially designed oxygen masks for pets to its toolkit of life-saving equipment, thanks to a donation by Connecticut at-home pet services provider Canine Company (www.caninecompany.com).

Lt./EMT Ryan Cunningham contacted the company to request the masks on behalf of the department.

Pets are at special risk during home fires because they are unable to leave the house without help. An estimated 40,000 die from smoke inhalation each year across the U.S. The cone-shaped masks are designed for a pet’s snout, which human masks don’t fit. The set of masks includes three sizes to fit a range of pets -- from small mammals to giant breed dogs.

To help ensure first responders know there are pets in need of rescue, Canine Company is offering free “pets inside” decals that families can place on a front door or window. Decals are available from the ambulance corps or by completing the Request a Decal form on the company’s website.

“Our company’s mission is to help families keep their pets healthy, safe and happy,” said Renee Coughlin of Canine Company. “We do that with the products and services we offer, and also through our masks donation campaign.”

Canine Company has donated over 200 kits to fire departments and first aid squads in 70 communities across New England, New York and New Jersey in the past year alone and at least a dozen pets have been saved with the masks, including three in Connecticut.

Canine Company, which is headquartered in Wilton CT provides at-home pet care products and services including the Invisible Fence® brand pet containment systems and Manners obedience training to pet parents. Through its Canine Love campaign, the company supports pet rescue and provides pet oxygen masks to first responders.

For information, visit www.caninecompany.com or call 800-818-3647.