Wyckoff PD, FD Get Pet Oxygen Masks Thanks To Local Girl Scout

WYCKOFF, NJ – Thanks to the efforts of a local Girl Scout, first responders in Wyckoff are now equipped with life-saving pet oxygen masks.

For her Silver Award project, Josie Perretta, an 8th grader at Eisenhower Middle School, started raising money for the masks last spring by selling personalized Easter baskets.

Altogether, Perretta wound up raising enough to purchase six pet oxygen masks. And, after partnering with Canine Company, a pet services provider, her efforts were matched and six more sets were donated for Wyckoff’s first responders, according to Debra Bennetts of the Canine Company.

The masks were presented to the Wyckoff Police and Fire Departments earlier this week by Perretta and Canine Company representative Judith Stivaly. During the presentation, Stivaly demonstrated the masks on two “volunteer” dogs -- a Havanese named Brady and a Wheaton Terrier, Buddy.

The Canine Company has donated pet oxygen masks to many other police and fire departments in Bergen County, including Fair Lawn, Mahwah, Midland Park, Oakland, Paramus, Ridgewood and Rutherford

In June, the company partnered with an Upper Saddle River Girl Scout for her Gold Award project on pet safety. As a result, masks were donated to Upper Saddle River Fire Department and EMS, Bennetts said.

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

The cone-shaped masks donated by Canine Company are designed specifically for a pet's snout, which human masks don't fit. Each set includes masks in three sizes to accommodate pets from small mammals to giant breed dogs.

According to Canine Company, at least 14 pets' lives have been saved so far this year by first responders using the donated masks, including four pets in New Jersey.

For more information about the company's donation efforts or to make a request , email petmasks@caninecompany.com or call 800-818-3647.