posted 03-23-2005 07:54 AM         

Pet Masks Donated to Local Fire Departments

Early Monday, both Carmel and Lawrence Fire Departments received special dog and cat oxygen masks that help protect your pets from smoke inhalation.

You simply place the mask over their snout of the animal.

The masks are being donated by Best Friends, a region-wide fund drive that's collecting contributions to purchase more masks.

"We are accepting donations and we are matching dollar per dollar so that we can get sets, more sets into the fire department and other fire departments also," said Shawn Robinson, manager of Best Friends in Carmel.

“In this community, we treat our pets as people. They are an extension of our family, so if we can help treat the homeowner's pets, its a great relief to them. It gives them one less thing to worry about until the owners can get them to a veterinary clinic or emergency clinic,” said Jace Platt, chief of operations for the Carmel Fire Department.

The pet masks program has been launched in eight other states and over 1,000 masks have been donated to fire departments across the nation. http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3106259

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Vision its 2am,,,you awake,,,your house is burning,,,,you awake everyone else and tell them to escape FAST, then you asked yourself,,,where did I put the pet mask? I'll take 5 or 10 minutes to find it and install on the pet's face. Who are we kidding here? "Fido, I spent good money on that doggie door>>>>>use it!!! Every man for himself!!!"