Project Breathe: Saving the lives of pets

Lancaster, Cheektowaga- It is estimated that between 40,000 to 150,000 pets die each year from house fires, most succumbing to smoke inhalation. In 2007, Project Breathe, a nonprofit organization, was created to help reduce these numbers.

Did you know that in most states, fire departments do not have specifically designed equipment to save pets?

Working with a medical supply company, Wag’N Pet Safety Gear, Invisible Fence Brand has been equipping fire departments with pet oxygen masks at no cost. The project’s goal is to ensure that every fire department and rescue unit is equipped with these lifesaving pet oxygen masks.

To date more than 9,500 mask kits have been donated to departments throughout the U.S. and Canada. These lifesaving pet oxygen mask kits have saved the lives of more than 100 pets.

Each kit has three mask sizes: small: used for animals up to 20 pounds; medium: used for animals up to 50 pounds; and large: used for animals 50 pounds and above. These masks can be used on dogs and cats of all sizes and even gerbils and snakes.

“Basically, anything with a snout,” remarked Events Coordinator for Project Breathe Casey Wiederhold.

The mask has a rubber seal to create an airtight seal around the animal’s snout. The first responder can hold the mask on the pet and bring him back to consciousness. First responders can provide lifesaving support until veterinary care can be obtained. Each mask can be used to resuscitate pets as well as be used with an oxygen source.

A human oxygen mask is flatter and goes over a person’s face. It is not able to cover the snout to give enough oxygen, according to Wiederhold.

Within the kit, in addition to the masks, there is tubing to connect to the oxygen tanks that are already on the fire rigs. There is also a rescue leash and detailed instructions on how to properly use the masks. All of the masks are completely reusable and can be cleaned using dishwasher soap.

A community member, volunteer firefighter or fire chief can contact the company for information about the kit. Typically, one kit is donated for every first response vehicle in the fire department.

Once a donation date is set, Invisible Fence Brand staff members will demonstrate how to use the masks on a dog. During the training session, firefighters learn the proper fit for the masks and get comfortable with using the masks.

On Tuesday, Feb. 21, members of the Rochester/Buffalo Division of Project Breathe attended the monthly Cheektowaga Fire Chiefs meeting to donate 20 pet oxygen mask kits.

Every fire district in Cheektowaga, as well as the Villages of Sloan and Depew, were equipped with life saving pet oxygen mask kits. The Town of Cheektowaga is protected by ten fire districts, which are served by 11 volunteer fire companies.

“It was really important to us that every fire district within the Cheektowaga area received a mask,” said Tony Hettinger, Project Breathe’s director. “These pet oxygen mask kits are the difference between saving a pet’s life or not.”

Cheektowaga is one of the first areas in Western New York to be outfitted with lifesaving pet oxygen mask kits.

Kurt Spieler, chief of the Forks Fire District in Cheektowaga, contacted Project Breathe regarding the donation when his wife learned of the organization after attending a local pet expo.

Spieler said that countless times throughout his career in the volunteer fire service he has seen pets rescued only for the firefighters not to have the proper equipment outside to further help.

“Several times I have seen firefighters and paramedics attempting to help animals, but I have never seen equipment designed for pets on our rigs. These kits will allow us to effectively render medical assistance to family pets in distress from smoke inhalation,” commented Spieler.

The Rochester/Buffalo Division of Project Breathe has donated more than 50 oxygen mask kits to fire departments in both areas.

“In our division, we go to different pet stores and different events to raise money and raise awareness because actually a lot people haven’t really heard about it,” said Wiederhold.

Some fire departments that use the pet oxygen mask kits include: Batavia Volunteer Fire Department, Wright's Corners, Hilton Fire Department, Morton Fire Department, East Bloomfield Fire Department, Union Hill Fire Department, and Silver Springs Fire Department. Also, on Thursday, March 8, Wilson Fire Department will be receiving a donation. 

Donations are made possible by a Charitable Gift fund, where people can donate directly to Project Breathe at www.projectbreathe.org.