Pet Oxygen Masks Donated To Garwood EMTs

(Editor's note: This article previously incorrectly referred to the recipients as firefighters, which has been corrected.)

GARWOOD, NJ — The Garwood Rescue Squad is now better equipped to save our furry friends from house fires. A release from Invisible Fence of Union County says the EMTs, who assist firefighters, were given two sets of oxygen masks specially designed for pets.

Invisible Fence's Project Breathe initiative is designed to provide these life-saving masks to first responders around the country.

“Pets don’t know to get out when there’s a fire. They hide and often end up with smoke inhalation,” said Mike Kelly of Invisible Fence of Union County.

Each of the two sets has three different-sized masks to fit on pets "from small mammals like rabbits up through giant-breed dogs," the release says. They're designed to connect to the oxygen source the firefighter already uses.

“We truly appreciate this donation and we know these masks will make a difference. Most of us are pet lovers and are glad to have a tool to help us save animals’ lives,” said Capt. Luciene Rabain, according to the release.

To date, the release says, Invisible Fence has donated over 11,500 masks to firefighters around the United States and Canada.

Union County firefighters and rescue squads can visit the Union County Invisible Fence website and make a request for pet masks.