Southbury Firefighters Now Equipped with Pet Oxygen Masks

Pet parents in Southbury can breathe a little easier: the city’s first responders have a new tool to help save family pets in home fires and other emergencies. Four sets of pet oxygen masks were donated to the Southbury Firemen’s Association by at-home pet services provider Canine Company.

The kits were requested by the Association’s Health and Safety Committee, prompted by an incident last year in which first responders rescued a dog from a house fire. They started CPR immediately, but did not have pet oxygen masks making it difficult to provide the help needed.

“Our pets are our family,” said Chief Dan Tomascak. “To know that we have the capabilities to save the life of a pet is a great thing … because a pet can’t be replaced like the one you could potentially lose.” The masks will deployed so each fire house in the district has a set for pet rescue situations.

Family pets are at special risk during a home fire because they are unable to leave the house without help. An estimated 40,000 die each year nationwide from smoke inhalation, according to insurance industry estimates. Human oxygen masks do not fit the shape of most pets’ snouts, making it difficult for first responders to provide oxygen on scene.

Pet oxygen masks are specifically designed for the shape of an animal’s snout. Each donated set of pet oxygen masks includes three sizes to fit a wide range of pets – from small mammals like rabbits to giant breed dogs. The masks have been used by first responders to save at least nine pets so far this year, including three dogs and three cats in a South Windsor fire in January.

“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 at home,” said Renee Coughlin of Canine Company. “We do that with the products and services we offer, and through our pet masks donation campaign. We are delighted to provide these four sets to Southbury’s firefighters to help protect family pets across the city.”

To ensure rescuers know there are pets in a home, Canine Company provided free “Pets Inside” decals to the fire department for distribution to local pet parents. The stickers are available from the fire department, or can be requested by mail through the Request a Decal form on the company’s website.

The Southbury Volunteer Firemen's Association, Inc. is a private, member governed corporation, operating as a non-profit and providing emergency service to the community. Founded in 1932, it operates out of four facilities, with 16 specialty fire vehicles, and 66 department members. For information or to become a member, visit Southburyfire.com.

Canine Company helps families across New York, New England, and New Jersey keep their pets healthy, safe and happy at home with services like Invisible Fence pet containment systems and Manners dog obedience training. For more information, visit www.caninecompany.com. Over the past decade, the Company has donated masks to more than 500 fire departments and rescue squads across the northeast.