Pets
Pet Oxygen Masks Donated To San Francisco Fire Department
Between the time of rescue and arrival at an emergency facility, the availability of suitable oxygen masks can mean life or death for pets.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — San Francisco Fire Department engines and ambulances will now be restocked with lifesaving oxygen masks for pets who are caught in a fire after inhaling smoke, fire officials said on Tuesday.
Multiple rescue dogs, therapy dogs and San Francisco Fire Department K9s helped demonstrate how the oxygen masks should be used at Station 49. Even a rabbit named "Alex the Great" tried on a small mask.
In case of a fire, a pet inhaling smoke can be a pet owner's worst nightmare. Between the time of rescue and arrival at an emergency facility, the availability of suitable oxygen masks can mean life or death for pets.
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The San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SF SPCA) provided 95 pet oxygen masks to the Fire Department as their stock was depleting, according to the Department.
The masks, which cost about $100 a piece, can be used on dogs, cats and yes, even rabbits, for life-saving measures. The SF SPCA raked up $100,000 in donations to cover the cost.
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"We live in a city where people love their animals like family and they want to make sure that the first responders have the materials and things that they need to help two legged and four legged residents of the city," said SF SPCA Chief Medical Officer Jena Valdez.
San Francisco's furry friends are an important part of the city. In fact, it is suggested that there are more dogs in the city than children, according to 2022 Census data and the city's Animal Care and Control Department.
Thus, there is a demand for such medical devices so first responders can assist in lifesaving efforts for pets in addition to humans. While human lives come first in an emergency, it is important that there are also medical devices available to first responders who can use them for pets in need, the Department said.
"The fact that we were getting depleted shows the actual need for these to be in our community," said Lieutenant Jonathan Baxter, spokesperson for the Fire Department.
The masks are snout-shaped and come in a variety of sizes with tubing that can connect to an oxygen tank. The masks are held over the snout of a pet who may unfortunately be in an altered state due to excessive smoke inhalation.
Some mask kits will also be supplied to cliff rescue teams, marine units, mobile air units and at San Francisco International Airport.
"This is an example of your San Francisco Fire Department working with our amazing communities and our external agencies such as the SPCA, to ensure the safety of all San Francisco's four-legged family members," Baxter said.
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