JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – The Jacksonville Veterinary Hospital partnered with the Jacksonville Fire Department by putting the safety of animals first with pet oxygen masks.
Whether you have a pet cat or dog, they are family. A tool to provide life-saving aid to animals is possible after the donation of pet oxygen masks.
WITN spoke with Deputy Chief Shaun Hayes, who says they have been using human oxygen masks during emergencies, but it has come with challenges.
“They don’t fit correctly over a dog muzzle, so we use them to get them some oxygen,” said Deputy Chief Hayes. “It doesn’t provide the quality or quantity we will be able to do now with this new equipment.”
The masks come in small, medium, and large and are used for cats and dogs. Veterinarian Dr. Candice Thomas says she’s seen animals survive a fire.
“It was not fun to do,” said Dr. Thomas. “I remember clear as day because he still smelled like the house fire that had happened days prior.”
The oxygen masks will help animals that have inhaled smoke during a house fire or emergency situation. Deputy Chief Hayes says the purpose is to reunite the animals with their loved ones after a crisis.
“This is really going to give us a peace of mind and our citizens a peace of mind,” said Deputy Chief Hayes.
A presentation about the masks took place on Wednesday at Jacksonville Fire Station 1.
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