“We encourage all fire departments to carry them, and we’re finding more departments are carrying them, finding more stories like Clearcreek. They’re a real life saver.”
Alicia Woempner, special projects manager at PETA
For many families, our four-legged friends are considered kin. They are pampered and cared for like anyone else in the family on a daily basis. But what about in times of serious need? In order to tailor to animal emergency situations, specially designed oxygen masks formed to fit dogs, cats, and even pets as small as guinea pigs and ferrets are becoming standard equipment for fire departments, including Clearcreek Fire District.
After a fire broke out in a garage of a house in the Brookside community, Clearcreek Fire District made sure all four residents of the home escaped unharmed and ceased the fire. But they didn’t stop there. Hannah, the family’s 15-year-old dog had suffered smoke inhalation and appeared lifeless; but she was able to make a full recovery because the firefighters used an oxygen mask specially designed for her snout.
“By the time Hannah got to the vet she was responsive and wagging her tail thanks to the Clearcreek Fire District,” Alicia Woempner, special projects manager at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. “If it wasn’t for them she might not have made it out of the house.”
To honor Clearcreek’s Fire District as well as promote the use of animal-specific oxygen masks, PETA awarded the firefighters with the animal rights group’s Compassionate Fire Department Award.
“These oxygen masks are much easier and more efficient to deliver the oxygen to the animals and can be life-saving to many,” says Woempner. “We encourage all fire departments to carry them, and we’re finding more departments are carrying them, finding more stories like Clearcreek. They’re a real life saver.”
The Clearcreek Fire District received a framed certificate, a letter of appreciation, and a box of vegan chocolates from PETA.
PETA also encourages all animal guardians to put a sign on doors or windows of their homes to alert rescue workers to the presence of family pets. Families can order stickers from petacatalog.com, purchase them at most pet supply stores, or even make their own at home.
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