PENTICTON–Penticton firefighters have a new tool in the arsenal to help save lives, and this one is just for the pets of the family.
Last month, a fire in Burnaby killed seven dogs and two cats.
That incident made Penticton firefighters consider the need for an oxygen delivery system for pets.
In response, the Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team donated six oxygen masks to the fire department Wednesday morning.
The masks are in several sizes and shapes, to fit the smallest beak to the largest snout.
They have proved successful in reviving animals who have suffered smoke inhalation.
“If there is anything we can do to mitigate the scene by helping the pets out, that helps the scene overall and helps the people” says Mike Richards with the Penticton Fire Department.
Some neighbouring communities already have these oxygen therapy masks, such as Naramata, Willowbrook and Oliver.
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