2/19/2013 - Town of Caledon Better Prepared to Handle Pet-Related Emergencies

The donation is part of "Project Breathe^™" by Invisible Fence^® Brand which aims to equip every fire station in Canada, the United States and the U.K with pet oxygen masks.

Long Lake Fire Department receives animal oxygen masks

Human life comes first when firefighters drive up to a house that's on fire. But after that, said Long Lake Fire Department Chief Danny Kreher, they feel good saving the pets families cherish.

"It's always nice to save a child's pet," said Kreher, whose department covers much of Pontoon Beach and the surrounding area. "A lot of these pets are like a family member."

The Fire Department will have an easier time saving pets thanks to a donation of three animal rescue oxygen masks, a gift from Invisible Fence of St. Louis. The animal oxygen masks are longer to fit the snouts of dogs and cats; oxygen masks designed for humans cannot be used on pets.

The donation is part of an effort by Invisible Fence's Project Breathe, which was set up to place animal masks in every fire station in the United States. The company has donated more than 3,400 pet oxygen mask kits to fire stations in the U.S. and Canada.

"We really love the opportunity to be able to save the lives of pets," said Jennifer Lupia, general manager of Invisible Fence of St. Louis.

Jason Sitzes, 38, a longtime firefighter for the Long Lake department, has seen the need.

"We pull dogs and cats out (but) we don't have the equipment," Sitzes said. Firefighters try to use the oxygen masks for humans on pets, but they don't work, he said.

In a demonstration at the Long Lake Fire Department's station at 4113 Pontoon Road on May 23, Jennifer Lupia of Invisible Fence placed a plastic pet oxygen mask on a black labrador retriever named Elwood.

The mask, which has a rubber ring on the inside, fit snugly over Elwood's snout. A small plastic tube on the mask connects to an oxygen tank.

Jeff Spector, a veterinarian at the nearby Creekwood Animal Hospital asked Invisible Fence to donate the masks. "We're glad that we could help the animals and the community," Spector said.

The Granite City Fire Department already has the specialized oxygen masks for pets.

The masks have shown their value, said Granite City Assistant Fire Chief Jim Snelson. "I've been on the scene a couple (times) when they've revived some dogs."

Contact reporter Jim Merkel at 618-344-0264, ext. 138