New Oxygen Masks for Pets

[ponto]

Fire Chief Dennis Volling has seen it many times, a firefighter emerging from a burning home carrying a beloved family pet, only to have it die from smoke inhalation because there wasn't a good way to give it oxygen.

"It doesn't sound like much when you talk about a dog or cat, but it does mean a lot to that family," said Volling, a 40-year veteran. "You can imagine how these people feel. They're already losing their house, and then they're losing part of their family."

But now, some pet-friendly equipment may help give more of those stories a happy ending.

A special type of oxygen mask long used by veterinarians has begun popping up all over the country in the last year.

The trend started in Florida about a year ago and has spread to well over a dozen states from Connecticut to California. The New York City Fire Department recently ordered the masks as did the Kennedy Space Center Fire Department in Titusville, Fla.

Do the first responders in the Mason County area have this equipment?

Read More (http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/15432064.htm)

[Shrek]

I would hope my tax money would NOT be used for this. Might sound good for a human interest story but that is the end of that.

Sending Emergency Personnel into harms way for pets ONLY has always been a pep peeve of mine for years. This only encourages lawsuits on many levels.

If this project keep at its current pace it will soon be a requirement we have to pay for Vetamedics on all life squads next.

I am not heartless when it comes to animals but I have limits to how much I want to spend in taxes. If you spend money for Dogs and Cats you will have the snake, Birds and Fish owners complaining.

Who will decided who's pets are more important?

[Foxy]

I don't think they are sending in personnel for pets per say. I think that this is used in the event the animal is already out of the building?? I like knowing that they can help my beloved pet if she gets out and needs the oxygen.
What if it was a service animal Shrek?

[bikerwannabe]

I agree Foxy, what if it was one of our special K-9 animals that needed it? Pets are just as much as part of our lives as people. To some people their pets are all they have. At least it would be going for something more helpful than strip clubs and stuff.

[Foxy]

I agree Foxy, what if it was one of our special K-9 animals that needed it? Pets are just as much as part of our lives as people. To some people their pets are all they have. At least it would be going for something more helpful than strip clubs and stuff.
The city doesn't pay anything towards a strip club. Unless they are a patron, then hopefully it would be their paycheck money... wait that would be my tax dollars too wouldn't it???
And if your a big ugly ogre you would think that it isn't worth the tax money...hehehe:D
(No offense I had to say it)

[bikerwannabe]

See Foxy that would be your tax money and mine too. It is worth saving animals to me but not worth seeing someone strip. lolol

[mark]

Do the first responders in the Mason County area have this equipment?

Read More (http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/15432064.htm)

I would certainly hope not!

I'm not sure what this equipment costs to save animals, but, if money is spend in this issue, it should be spent for more equipment to save people, not pets.

People are more valuable than pets............see ya mark

[Foxy]

I would certainly hope not!

I'm not sure what this equipment costs to save animals, but, if money is spend in this issue, it should be spent for more equipment to save people, not pets.

People are more valuable than pets............see ya markI can certainly see your point, PEOPLE, ANIMAL, THINGS, those are my priorities in life.
However, if you remember that fire on Strodes Run Rd. last winter, there were no people injured but there were a lot of animals killed. In that case an oxygen mask may have helped save at least one of their beloved goats.

This mask is not just for dogs and cats, it can be used on any animal.

I don't think that the tax dollars should buy one, but it would definitely be beneficial if, at a better financial time, the local Humane Society bought one.

[mark]

I don't think that the tax dollars should buy one, but it would definitely be beneficial if, at a better financial time, the local Humane Society bought one.


That's OK with me, just as long as one is donated. No tax money needs to be involved. I don't want to see animals die either, but, there are plenty of replacement animals. Just take a walk around town, you'll see plenty of stray dogs & cats..............see ya mark

[acoolmom777]

If each vet donated one to each rescue unit, they would all be equip, and it would be a tax write to each vet also...hummm....a win win situation

[ponto]

How about using some of that pet idol money..................

More than $17,000 was raised for the Buffalo Trace Humane Society, and more than 71,000 votes were cast before the 2006 Pet Idol was announced.

Cost is about $ 65.00 for the mask. I would think that it would hook to existing oxygen systems in use by the Fire Dept.

[bikerwannabe]

How about using some of that pet idol money..................

More than $17,000 was raised for the Buffalo Trace Humane Society, and more than 71,000 votes were cast before the 2006 Pet Idol was announced.

Cost is about $ 65.00 for the mask. I would think that it would hook to existing oxygen systems in use by the Fire Dept.


Good idea Ponto. Why can't they use some of that money for that?

[Foxy]

Well ya gotta think, what is more important, a spay neuter program, an actual shelter, public education, pet oxygen mask... see there are a lot of things they need to do with that money.
I think the top priority is spay and neuter programs. but that is just my opinion. The vet's donating seems a valid point though.

[ponto]

You make a good point about the vets in the area donating the mask.

If an animal is saved, it is a good bet the animal would be taken to a vet for a check up. $$

If the beloved pet dies because of no oxygen, the vet looses a customer.