The Timmins Fire Department is now equipped with pet oxygen masks.
Hard Rock Animal Hospital donated six masks to the fire department at Tuesday’s council meeting.
“Just like humans they can have smoke damage in their lungs…so this provides some oxygen to them that can potentially be lifesaving," said Debbie St. Louis, who works at the vet clinic.
"And we’ve witnessed firsthand the devastation of families losing their pets in house fires and it’s heart wrenching. They are part of our families so anything that we can do to help out, we’re really proud of that."
Timmins Fire Chief Normand Beauchamp said the department has an average of 20 to 25 working fires a year, and many of them have pets.
“So that’s going to help us save more pets’ lives,” he said.
After the presentation, St. Louis explained each set has two masks, one for a large animal and one for a smaller one.
The donation is thanks to Project Breathe, which was created by Invisible Fence.
“They’re dedicated to trying to provide as many pet oxygen masks as possible to as many fire departments as possible and I thought I would reach our local fire department….and learned that they weren’t equipped,” said St. Louis.
She added that she was happy to get involved and “give back to the community that’s supported us for so many years.”
