GASTON – Gaston area first responders will be equipped to save a pet’s life in the event of smoke inhalation during a house fire. That’s because Invisible Fence® Brand is donating pet oxygen masks to Gaston Volunteer Fire Department.

This donation is a part of Invisible Fence® Brand’s Project Breathe, which was established with the goal of equipping every fire station in America and Canada with pet oxygen masks. These masks allow firefighters to give oxygen to pets who are suffering from smoke inhalation when they are rescued from fires. The masks often save pets’ lives.

Invisible Fence® Brand has donated more than 1,530 masks to more than 510 fire stations in the Carolinas. They started donating pet oxygen masks in the Carolinas in 2008. Nationally, Invisible Fence® Brand has donated more than 10,000 pet oxygen masks to fire stations all over the U.S. and Canada throughout the life of the program. A reported 70+ pets have been saved by the donated masks so far.

“Our commitment to pet safety extends beyond pet containment by funding deserving projects that help keep pets safe at home. By donating the pet oxygen masks, we hope to help save more pets and prevent pet owners from losing a beloved four-legged family member while dealing with the devastation from a fire,” said Jim White, owner of Invisible Fence South.

Although not an official U.S. Fire Administration statistic, it is estimated that 40,000 to 150,000 pets die each year in fires; most succumbing to smoke inhalation, and over 500,000 pets are affected by home fires each year. In most states, emergency responders are not equipped to deal with the crisis. The donation of these specially designed and potentially lifesaving pet oxygen masks will enable first responders to efficiently administer oxygen to a stricken animal.

The pet oxygen mask kit will be housed on the department’s fire engine that responds to all structure fires. Firefighters from Gaston Fire & Rescue recently conducted a training session on the proper techniques for delivering oxygen to pets.

The firefighters in the photos are Firefighter Mike Pulley (gray shirt) and Firefighter Tyler Randof (blue shirt). The Rottweiler puppies in the photos are Jax (camo collar) and Zeus (green collar).

For more information about the pet oxygen mask donation program, visit www.invisiblefence.com/O2 or contact Phillip Howard, Donation Coordinator, at 704-409-3973 or phillip.howard@invisiblefencesouth.com.