Oxygen Masks for Pets Can Save a Pet's Life in an Emergency or Fire

Have you ever considered what would happen to your beloved pets if your house caught on fire? You may have a special sticker on your window that alerts the fire department that you have pets inside, including the type and number. Pets rarely have a means to escape a burning house by themselves and will often hide because they are frightened. During their time in a burning home, they are exposed to dangerous and toxic fumes and often lack the oxygen they need to survive.

According to Wag'N Enterprises, over 40,000 pets die each year from smoke asphyxiation. What happens after your pet has been safely removed from the burning home? They will most likely need a supply of oxygen to revive them. But, adult or child size oxygen masks will not fit the muzzle of a dog or other pet. Fortunately, oxygen masks specifically designed for pets are now available. The challenge, however, is getting those life-saving oxygen masks for pets into the hands of first responders.

Ines de Pablo, CWO (Chief Wag'N Officer) and founder of Wag'N Enterprises has a diverse background in the field of emergency management. With a Masters Degree in Risk, Crisis and Emergency Management from George Washington University. She gained further experience with a Washington DC based emergency management company. When over 600,000 pets either died or were abandoned in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, de Pablo was moved to use her experience to advocate for emergency preparedness for pets nationwide. Wag'N Enterprises was founded to work for the safety of all pets.

Ines explains that, "Fire departments are generally not allowed to spend tax dollars to purchase or acquire equipment not aimed at saving human lives." This means that emergency responders rarely have the ability to provide the necessary oxygen to pets after the trauma of a fire or other emergency. All this can change with the Wag'N O2 Fur Life Program which provides oxygen masks for pets.

The Wag'N O2 Fur Life Program seeks to provide pet oxygen masks on all emergency vehicles, giving rescuers the ability to save pets. Without the ability for fire departments to purchase the needed pet oxygen mask kits with tax dollars, the public can help by making donations or by becoming a direct sponsor; thereby making sure these needed pet oxygen masks for resuscitation are in all emergency vehicles.

One life-saving pet oxygen mask kit, containing one small, one medium and one large pet oxygen mask and the tubing, laminated instructions, decals for emergency vehicles and sponsorship certificate is on sale for $65. You can contact your local fire department and determine if they have pet oxygen masks available on their emergency vehicles. If they do not, they can help you determine how many oxygen masks they will need. Then, you can raise funds to help your department receive all the needed pet oxygen mask kits, or you can make a worthy donation to the cause. The pet you help to save may be your own.

The Wag'N 4 U website has a list of fire departments currently outfitted with pet oxygen masks as well as more information about how you can make a difference in your community by sponsoring life-saving pet oxygen masks for your emergency responders.

There are other companies that sell pet oxygen masks in addition to Wag'N Enterprises. Having an oxygen tank to administer the oxygen through the mask is required and does not come with the mask kits.

Sources:

Wag'N 4 U

Doctors Foster & Smith Pet Education