Seattle Fire Department Chief Harold Scoggins announces Invisible Fence’s donation of 20 pet oxygen masks to the Seattle Fire Department. Photo from Seattle DogSpot.
Invisible Fence Brand of Seattle announced today that the company is donating 20 pet oxygen masks to the Seattle Fire Department (SFD) as part of its Project Breathe program. The masks will be used to resuscitate animals overcome by smoke at fire scenes.
The company also donated a pet oxygen mask to the Seattle Animal Shelter.
“I am very thankful for Invisible Fence’s generous donation,” said Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins. “These masks are another tool in our tool belt that firefighter’s can use to save pets overcome by carbon monoxide.”
At least 40,000 pets die in house fires nationwide every year.
Chief Scoggins noted that SFP began carrying pet oxygen masks on Battalion Chief vehicles in 2006. Since then firefighters used the masks to successfully resuscitate half a dozen pets.
Invisible Fence’s Lori McCallister gives a pet oxygen mask to Seattle Animal Shelter director Don Jordon. Photo from Seattle DogSpot.
Invisible Fence has distributed approximately 1000 pet oxygen masks to fire departments in Western Washington, including Mercer Island, Tumwater, and Thurston County. It has donated about 11,000 masks nationwide.
The company is also working with the Seattle Kennel Club to donate masks to its “disaster vans” which will help pets impacted by natural disasters like the Oso landside.
Chief Scoggins urged families to incorporate their pets into practice fire exit drills at home to ensure that they get out of the house safely. He also recommended that families make one person per pet responsible for taking it outside during a fire. Finally, Chief Scoggins said that if you have to evacuate your home during a fire and can’t find your pet, leave doors open so it can escape on its own.
Seattle Animal Shelter director Don Jordon noted that you can pick up rescue alert stickers at the Shelter’s office at 2061 15th Avenue West. The stickers go on your home’s doors and tell firefighters/first responders how many pets you have in the house.
Firefighters and other First Responders can request pet oxygen masks from Invisible Fence Project Breathe program in the Project Breathe section of its website.
Thanks to Invisible Fence for its generous donation to SPD and the Seattle Animal Shelter.
Pet oxygen masks give pets a better chance of surviving smoke inhalation by quickly reducing carbon monoxide levels in their bloodstreams. Thanks to Emmy for demonstrating how they fit. Photo from Seattle DogSpot.
Pet oxygen masks aren’t just for dogs. They can be used on cats, gerbils, mice, rats, and other small critters. This cat is Theo and he’s available for adoption from the Seattle Animal Shelter. Photo from Seattle DogSpot.
Chi was not interested in demonstrating how the smaller pet oxygen masks work. Photo from Seattle DogSpot.
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