Beachwood First Responders Receive Pet Oxygen Masks

First responders in Beachwood have received a donation of four sets of pet oxygen mask kits from at-home pet services provider Canine Company.

The kits were requested by Captain Kevin Peck of Beachwood Emergency Medical Services for both the EMS and the Fire Department following the tragic fire the destroyed the home of a Pine Beach K9 Police Officer. One of the families’ dogs died as a result of severe smoke inhalation suffered while trapped in the home. A second dog, the officer’s K9 partner, also suffered smoke inhalation, but was resuscitated.

The kits have been deployed so first responders across Beachwood will be able to deliver oxygen effectively to pets in need on the scene of future house fires and other emergencies. To ensure rescuers know there are pets in a home, Canine Company is offering free “Pets Inside” decals that local pet parents can post on a window or door. They are available by completing the Request a Decal form on the company’s website.

Pets are at special risk during a home fire because they are unable to leave the house without help. An estimated 40,000 die from smoke inhalation across the U.S. each year. 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 pets from small mammals to giant breed dogs.

According to Canine Company, donated masks have been used by first responders to save more than 18 pets – including six dogs, 11 cats and a rabbit – over the past year.

“Our company mission is to help families keep their pets healthy, safe and happy. We do that with our products and services, and with our charitable programs,” said Renee Coughlin of Canine Company. “We are grateful to Beachwood’s first responders for their concern for the well being of all family pets in the community.

Canine Company has donated masks to first responders in more than 500 communities across New England, New York and New Jersey. Other area communities that have requested and received the masks include: Bayville, Jackson Township, Ocean Gate and Tom’s River. Fire and EMS leadership can request the masks by going to the Canine Love page on the company’s website.

About Canine Company: Canine Company provides at-home pet care products and services including the Invisible Fence® brand systems and Manners dog obedience training to pet parents across New England, New York and New Jersey and mobile grooming and pet sitting services in select market. For information, visit www.caninecompany.com or call 800-818-3647.