Ferndale Fire Department to Receive New Equipment Designed to Save Pets

The  is about to get a new tool in its fire safety arsenal, and this time, it will help save the lives of pets.

On Wednesday morning, Invisible Fence Brand and the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association will donate two pet oxygen mask kits to the city. The specially designed masks can help firefighters save pets from succumbing to smoke inhalation.

“I think it’s great and will go a long way,” Ferndale Fire Marshal Brian Batten said. “We’ve had numerous fires where the animals succumbed to the smoke inhalation because there wasn’t much we could do, so this will help us possibly save an animal’s life if we can get them outside and revive them.”

First responders at the will be presented with the donated pet oxygen masks and then will demonstrate how the masks are applied and used on dogs.

The donation is a part of Invisible Fence Brand’s Project Breathe, a national effort whose goal is to equip every fire station in the United States and Canada with the masks. According to the company, 40,000-150,000 pets die each year in house fires. So far, more than 10,000 masks have been donated, and more than 50 pets have been saved by their use, the company said. 

For more information on Project Breathe, visit invisiblefence.com/O2.