Canine Company® in Wilton and Invisible Fence® Brand has launched Project Breathe™, the Pet Oxygen Mask Donation Program for local fire departments. Canine Company® supports the program throughout New England, New Jersey and Southern NY providing oxygen mask kits to first responders. Each kit includes a small, medium and large mask and comes in a convenient carrying case.

Although the number of pets that die in fires is not an official statistic kept by the U.S. Fire Administration, industry web sites and sources have cited that an estimated 40,000 to 150,000 pets die each year in fires; most succumbing to smoke inhalation. In most states, emergency responders are not equipped to deal with the crisis because they lack specially designed pet oxygen masks.

The goal is to equip every fire department and rescue unit with these lifesaving pet oxygen masks. To date, more than 350 kits have been donated to fire stations throughout the Northeast, so there is a long way to go to complete the mission. Canine Company asks Natural Awakenings’ readers to help connect them with local fire stations.

Please email fire department contact information to [email protected].