Neighbor News
East Haddam Fire Department Receives Pet Oxygen Masks
Donation from Canine Company ensures firefighters are equipped to save the lives of family pets rescued in fires and other emergencies
The East Haddam Fire Department has added specially designed oxygen masks for pets to their toolkit of life-saving equipment thanks to a donation by at-home pet services provider Canine Company (www.caninecompany.com).
Captain Jeremy Schumann contacted the company on behalf of the East Haddam Fire Department after he learned about the masks from a neighboring 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. Each set includes masks in three sizes to fit a range of pets -- from small mammals to giant breed dogs.
Find out what's happening in The Haddams-Killingworthfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
In the past year alone, 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. Other central Connecticut departments that have requested and received the masks include Cromwell, Farmington and Glastonbury.
The donated masks have been used to save more than a dozen pets in the past year -- including four dogs, seven cats and a rabbit.
Find out what's happening in The Haddams-Killingworthfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“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. “Our goal is to get these in to the hands of first responders in every community we serve o they are prepared to handle an emergency involving family pets.".
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 by completing the Request a Decal form on the company’s website.
Canine Company 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.