Excelsior Springs, Mo. – The Excelsior Springs Animal Clinic bolstered the Excelsior Springs Fire Department’s ability to respond to pet emergencies with the recent donation of two new animal oxygen mask kits. These life-saving kits give firefighters the necessary tools to revive pets suffering from smoke inhalation during house fires.
The donation was prompted by a recent fire where three dogs – Dippy, a beagle mix, Dozer, a German shepherd, and Flower, an unknown breed – were hospitalized for smoke inhalation. Thankfully, all three dogs made full recoveries. However, the incident emphasized the importance of having readily available pet oxygen masks for the fire department.
“We were concerned by the recent fire and the impact it had on these pets and their families,” said Dr. Erica Nowlin, veterinarian at Excelsior Springs Animal Clinic. “By giving firefighters the right tools, we can really improve the chances of a pet’s survival in a fire.”
Years ago, Dr. Pete Rucker donated a pet mask kit to the fire department. Since then, the department has grown and added two fire trucks to its fleet. These newly donated kits equip all three trucks with pet mask kits.
Each kit includes three different-sized masks to accommodate a variety of animals, from large dogs down to cats, ferrets, hamsters or even birds. The clinic facilitated the purchase of the kits through a program offered by the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association that allows clinics or community members the ability to provide emergency personnel with the gear they need at a reasonable cost.
Pet owners also have an important role in ensuring their pets’ safety during a fire. While the donation of pet oxygen masks improves the fire department’s response capabilities, it’s equally important for pet owners to be proactive in fire safety planning for their furry companions.
To improve your pet’s safety in a fire, consider creating a fire escape plan that includes them. Designate a meeting spot outside your home where everyone in the family, including pets, can gather after evacuating. Having a pet carrier on hand or making sure collars and leashes are easily accessible will also make the evacuation process smoother. (Familiarize your pet with the carrier beforehand to minimize their stress during an emergency.) While window clings or stickers indicating the number of pets in your home can be helpful to firefighters, it’s important to keep this information updated.
The Excelsior Springs Animal Clinic’s generous contribution of pet oxygen masks has significantly enhanced the community’s capacity to safeguard its four-legged citizens. With these life-saving tools in place and with ongoing fire safety planning by pet owners, Excelsior Springs is well-equipped to give its furry friends a fighting chance in the face of a fire.
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