Beginning in late May, Harris County Emergency Services District 11 first responders started using pet oxygen masks to rescue animals from home fires, according to a June 2 news release.
“Without these masks specifically designed for the faces of cats and dogs delivering lifesaving oxygen to animals exposed to smoke inhalation, people could lose treasured members of their family,” Jordan Anderson, interim CEO of ESD 11, said in the release.
Put in perspective
Anderson said he believes oxygen masks designed specifically for pets are essential tools in rescue efforts because, in the event of a fire, it's often difficult to locate animals as they tend to hide underneath beds and in closets. As a result, pets inhale more smoke than humans, often leading to their deaths.
