“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.
According to the release, about 66% of U.S. households own at least one pet, which equates to 86.9 million pets that could benefit from lifesaving oxygen in the event of a home fire.
As the largest ESD in Texas, Harris County ESD 11 covers a 177-square-mile area of northern Harris County with over 700,000 residents, according to the release.
