Working on Story about Pet Oxygen Masks

Here are the raw notes:

The O2 Fur Life Evolution

by Pet oxygen mask on Monday May 03, 2010. We want to start by thanking all of our wonderful readers as well as supportive pet parents, organizations and first responders that have made a true difference in their community by providing/acquiring pet oxygen masks over the past two years!


The Wag'N Pet Oxygen Mask Initiative (aka The Wag'N O2 Fur Life Program) has been growing and wagging ever so stronger since its inception in February 2008. We are not done. Your feedback has been priceless!

As you probably know, the program provides four methods to acquire the pet oxygen mask kits. Three methods are designed to serve our first responders in the USA and Canada. The fourth method consist of providing support to pet parents and breeders whose pets require supplemental oxygen therapy.

From the period of January - April 2010 the Wag'N O2 Fur Life Program has been making some great strides:
- Generous Sponsors have provided 169 kits to their first responders.
- First responders took the initiative for 54 kits
- The Wag'N O2 Fur Life Fellowship sponsored 20 kits.
- Altogether getting 243 kits in the field in a four month period! Wag'N On!

Here are some recent improvements we've made to not only provide the life saving gear but further the training and sustainable use of this equipment.

CHICAGO BREAKING NEWS http://tinyurl.com/2uou7sf
Chicago Fire Department gets pet oxygen masks
May 19, 2010 9:30 AM | No Comments
More than 235 pet oxygen masks have been donated to the Chicago Fire Department--enough to outfit every city fire truck and rescue unit.

The donation is the largest to date by Invisible Fence Brand, which over the last three years has outfitted fire departments in Cleveland, Memphis, Toronto and dozens of smaller cities, including 31 area suburbs and fire protection districts, according to the company.

As with oxygen masks used to treat human fire victims for smoke inhalation, the smaller pet masks allow first responders to provide life-saving support to pets and service animals until veterinary care can be administered.

It's estimated that 40,000 to 150,000 pets die in fires each year, most because of smoke inhalation. To date, its donated kits have save 19 pets in fires, Invisible Fence said.

"We're hopeful citizens in the City of Chicago are comforted knowing that we have the tools necessary to help save their pet," said First Deputy Fire Commissioner Robert Hoff. "We all too often see people who want to risk their own live running back into a burning home to get their pet. We can all recall a fire from the past when these kits would have helped save a pet."

Special oxygen masks help fires' other victims
http://tinyurl.com/26t5o2k
Published: May 26, 2010

Related Links

Adopt a pet
Share your pet photos
More from Pets
When firefighters rush into a burning home, it's not just the human residents they rescue. Frequently, they carry out pets.

When an animal is overcome by smoke in a house fire, Tampa firefighters do all they can to help, including administering oxygen. It's not easy; oxygen masks for humans don't fit well over muzzles.

The Tampa Bay Kennel Club has come to the rescue. It recently donated 32 pet oxygen mask kits to Hillsborough County and Tampa fire rescues.

"With the masks donated by the Tampa Bay Kennel Club, we will be able to administer a higher level of oxygen to pets suffering from smoke inhalation," said Tampa Capt. Bill Wade. "Additionally, the club members provided a training video that offers training and tips for firefighters to use to help prevent further trauma to pets during treatment, and also help protect the firefighter from being bitten or scratched by a stressed animal."

Kennel Club Secretary Linda Lopez got the idea for the gift after she read about a similar donation in Sarasota. The club purchased the mask kits through the Wag'N O2 Fur Life Program. Since its inception in 2008, the program has provided more than 190 fire departments across the United States and Canada with oxygen masks and "Pet Oxygen Masks on Board" decals for their stations and vehicles.

"We're quickly finding out just how great of a need this is," said Ines de Pablo of Wag'N Enterprises, a pet emergency management company. "Dryer fires, furnace fires, pets knocking candles over with their tails, you name it, fires are started because of it. We were shocked to find that most fire departments aren't equipped to save your pet's life in an emergency. These pet oxygen masks can be used on dogs, cats, ferrets, birds, hamsters, alpacas, wolves and many more species."

Included in each of the kits is a set of three pet oxygen masks and corresponding oxygen tubes, a CPR For Cats & Dogs magnet and laminated instructions to remind first responders of the techniques for animals, a leash, two "Pet Oxygen Masks On Board" decals, an instructional DVD and a PowerPoint presentation for training. It's all wrapped up in a Wag'N O2 Fur Life bag that can also be used to contain small animals.

In past years the Kennel Club has donated bulletproof vests for police dogs and provided money to purchase a search and rescue dog. Each month, members also bring dog and cat food to their meetings. The club matches the donations pound for pound and gives it all to the Humane Society. The club also sponsors a seminar for young people to learn about caring for and exhibiting their dogs, and awards an annual scholarship to a student.

Watch for a Responsible Dog Owners Day event sponsored by the club, the first week of September at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. For information about the Tampa Bay Kennel Club, visit www.TampaBayKennelClub.com.

If you would like to donate a pet oxygen mask kit to a fire, K9, EMS, military or other unit, first contact the unit to see whether it can and will use the masks. Then visit www.wagn4u.com/O2FurLife to order the kit.

Write to pet-lifestyle expert Kristen Levine at Fetching Communications, P.O. Box 222, Tarpon Springs FL 34688; e-mail kristen@fetchingcommunications.com.

Pet oxygen masks for every fire truck around Tucson
TucsonCitizen.com March 1, 2010 Rynski
The donation comes from Tucson Pet Care Network, a group of local animal care professionals which aims to give pet oxygen masks to every fire station in the Tucson metro area.

Four masks are going to Northwest Fire District Fire Station 38, 8475 N. Star Grass, on Wednesday, March 3.

“Many people consider pets members of the family,“ said Northwest Fire Capt. Adam Goldberg in a news release, “and the devastation of losing a cherished pet is often much greater than the trauma of losing a house or possessions.”

You got that right, Captain.

Designed to fit the noses and snouts of dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, birds and other small animals, pet oxygen masks could mean the difference between life and death if our beloved pets were ever trapped in raging smoke and flames.

“We’ve already donated some masks to local fire stations,” said Tucson Pet Care Network Chairperson Kate Titus, “but we want to make sure there is one on every truck that might be responding to a fire.”

Individual members have donated to fire stations near their homes, and the Northwest delivery marks the first donation by Tucson Pet Care Network.

“We’ve also had a few vets get in on the action,” Titus said. Both Dr. Tim Ireland from Encanto Pet Clinic and Dr. Ann Campbell from Plaza Pet have purchased and donated masks.

The Network has five more masks to deliver, most likely going to Tucson Fire Department stations.

“We’re well short of that goal and need the public’s help to make that a reality,” Titus said. “Outer-lying areas have the most need, but there is a need in Tucson proper as well.

We discovered the need for the masks from a group called Bark Buckle UP (www.barkbuckleup.com ) and their promotion, Bark 10-4, for fire awareness month in October. They worked with SurgiVet, manufacturer of the masks, and Smith Medical, distributor of the masks, to make them available for public sponsorship and distribution to fire houses in the community. The masks are sponsored by 100 percent donation and there is no tax or shipping costs. The masks are delivered directly to the firehouses. It’s easy for the public to get involved. The masks are just $25 for a medium mask or $65 for a set of three masks in small, medium and large.

To help Tucson Pet Care Network with its efforts or to learn more, visit TucsonPetCareNetwork.com.

JACKSONVILLE,MD
Jacksonville VFC Receives Donation Of Pet Oxygen Masks
April 2, 9:22 PM Baltimore Emergency Services Examiner Michael Schwartzberg
http://tinyurl.com/255kuec
Jacksonville, MD - Dogs of various breeds, sizes and colors - and their owners - visited the Jacksonville Volunteer Fire Company in northern Baltimore County on March 27th to make a special presentation. Shore Hearts Golden Retriever Rescue donated three sets of pet oxygen masks to JVFC firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics.

“As with most of our equipment, we hope to never have to use these masks. However, should the need arise, we will now be better equipped to provide initial treatment to various sizes and types of pets following a house fire or other incident,” said JVFC Captain Andrew Laird.

In the event of a house fire or other emergency, pets may need the same care and equipment to survive that their owners receive. An oxygen mask specially designed for pets that comes in three sizes can help save their lives. Captain Laird said JVFC crews plan to put the masks on both of the company’s fire engines and on the ambulance.

Marie Sciscione and Pat DeGuilmi along with their two Golden Retriever therapy dogs, Rayne and Stella, led the brief ceremony in front of JVFC Station 47.

Shore Hearts Golden Retriever Rescue was established in September 2003 to assist shelters and existing rescue programs by bringing together suitable placements with potential homes as far away as Georgia, Maryland, Indiana, Missouri and New Mexico. SHGRR is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Lanoka Harbor, New Jersey and has volunteers in several states across the country including Delaware, Maryland, Missouri and Pennsylvania.

JVFC is one of 35 volunteer fire companies that work alongside 24 career stations to provide an integrated network of emergency response for Baltimore County. JVFC protects approximately 10,000 people in its first-due district, which covers over 75 square miles. The volunteers responded to nearly 1,500 calls for emergency service in 2009.

For more information on Shore Hearts Golden Retriever Rescue visit www.shorehearts.org. For more information on the Jacksonville Volunteer Fire Company, visit www.jvfc.com.

AnnArbor
By Lisa Allmendinger, Heritage Newspapers
Ann Arbor Kennel Club donates pet oxygen masks
Heritage Newspapers (Heritage.com)
Fast Facts

What: Ann Arbor Kennel Club

Where: 1575 E. North Territorial Road

Recent donation: Pet oxygen masks to the Scio Township Fire Department for dogs, cats and other small animals

Upcoming event: American Kennel Club Sanctioned B puppy match 10 a.m. March.

More Information: www.annarborkc.org

Scio Township Engine 2 is now equipped to treat pets suffering from smoke inhalation thanks to a donation of oxygen masks from the Ann Arbor Kennel Club.

Called a "Revive-A-Pet" kit, it includes three oxygen masks that fit a dog and three for cats and other small animal.

Scio Township Fire Chief Carl Ferch said the masks attach to an oxygen tube attached to an oxygen tank that's aboard fire engines.

The $250 oxygen kit will travel in Engine 2, the fire department's primary fire apparatus, he said.

The Ann Arbor Kennel Club was formed in 1937 to serve the needs of the purebred dog community in Washtenaw County, said Sandra Hanson of Ypsilanti Township, president of the club.

"It's our job to help dogs (and other pets)," she said.

The kennel club meets at the fire department. Camilla Thorne of Grass Lake, the club's treasurer, says the donation was part of the club's mission.

Melinda Hart of Superior Township, another club member, said the kennel club committed to making sure the fire department has what it needs. In previous years, the club has donated bulletproof vests and window fans for the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department canines, said Betsy Dale of Stockbridge, a club member.

"We're very thankful to the Ann Arbor Kennel Club," said Ferch, who added that the animal oxygen masks would be another life-saving piece of equipment at his department's disposal on a fire scene.

Lisa Allmendinger can be reached at 1-877-995-NEWS 1-877-995-NEWS (6397) or at lallmendinger@heritage.com. Check out her daily blog at www.A2Journal.com.

Invisible Fence Program Donation Program
http://www.invisiblefence.com/o2/
Invisible Fence Brand is in the business of saving pets lives and we strongly believe in programs that not only help keep pets safe in their yards, but safe from other hazards like house fires. Although the number of pets that die in fires is not an official statistic kept by the U.S. Fire Administration, industry web sites and sources have cited that an estimated 40,000 to 150,000 pets die each year in fires; most succumbing to smoke inhalation. In most states, emergency responders are not equipped to deal with the crisis because they lack specially designed pet oxygen masks.

To fill this need, Invisible Fence Brand started the Pet Oxygen Mask Donation Program to provide oxygen mask kits to first responders. Each kit includes a small, medium and large mask; fire departments are eligible to receive one kit per station.

How can you help?
Our goal is to ensure that every fire department and rescue unit is equipped with these life saving pet oxygen masks. To date, we have donated more than 1,600 kits to fire stations throughout the US and Canada but we need your help to reach more! To build on our existing donation program, we opened a Donor-Advised Fund with The Fidelity® Charitable Gift Fund (“Gift Fund”) to collect charitable contributions to support organizations and programs that help save pets lives.

Your charitable contribution will be pooled with other donors’ charitable contributions to support The Pet Oxygen Mask Donation Program. Our program works with non-profit organizations to purchase and distribute pet oxygen mask kits to first responders. Please consider making a donation to Project Breathe to support these efforts.

Toronto Star http://tinyurl.com/25qjwoc
Firefighters get pet oxygen masks Masks big enough to fit Great Dane, small enough to resuscitate parrot
Denise Balkissoon
Staff Reporter

Pet owners will be able to breathe easier after Toronto Fire Services receives a donation of animal oxygen masks on Thursday.

Fire chief vans in all 16 districts will be kitted out with a $100 set of three masks, in sizes big enough to fit a Great Dane and small enough to resuscitate a parrot.

“A dog has a snout, so it’s a longer style mask than for a human,” said Dr. Barbara Bryer, head of the emergency department at Veterinary Emergency Clinic, which is donating half the masks. The rest are a gift from the pet safety company, Invisible Fence of the Greater Toronto Area.

About 20 Toronto pets suffer from fire-related smoke inhalation every year.

Firefighters will not get specific training in using the masks on frightened or unconscious pets, said fire department Capt. Adrian Ratushniak, but treating a dog is comparable to treating “a small child.”

He wasn’t sure if only dogs and cats would be eligible for oxygen treatment. “I imagine the small masks would probably be suitable for a ferret.”


Chicago Fire Department gets pet oxygen masks (WGN-TV)
To date, kits have saved the lives of 19 pets in fires
http://tinyurl.com/2a3k984

CHICAGO - More than 235 pet oxygen masks have been donated to the Chicago Fire Department.

That's enough to outfit every city fire truck and rescue unit in the city.

The donation is the largest to date by Invisible Fence Brand, which has donated to fire departments across the country for the past three years.

The company says an estimated 40,000 to 150,000 pets fie in fire each year because of smoke inhalation.

To date, the company's kits have saved the lives of 19 pets in fires.

"We're hopeful citizens in the city of Chicago area are comforted knowing we have the tools necessary to help save their pet," said First Deputy Fire Commissioner Robert Hoff.