Related story: Ann Arbor fire aftermath: 'I'm so grateful' about dog rescue and resident safety
Last August, Saline firefighters and Huron Valley Ambulance paramedics rescued a cat from a fire and saved its life using special animal rescue equipment. On Feb. 5, the Washtenaw County office of Paul Davis Restoration & Remodeling will donate the same pet oxygen mask kits to the Washtenaw Area Mutual Aid Association for distribution to local fire departments.
Saline firefighters and paramedics use special animal rescue equipment to save a cat on the scene of a house fire in York Township last summer.
Photo courtesy of Saline Area Fire Department
"These masks are specifically designed to fit over the muzzle of an animal and allow animals to receive pure oxygen after exposure to a fire and smoke inhalation," said Brian McCall, who owns the local Paul Davis Restoration office.
Saline Area Fire Chief Craig Hoeft has seen the masks in use.
"A couple of years ago, we had a house fire with several pets involved," said Hoeft. "We had HVA assist us, and they gave oxygen to the pets but didn't have masks specifically made for the pets. The human masks don't work as well."
Mobile veterinarian Dr. Katheryn VanKoevering donated masks for pets to the Saline Area Fire Deparment and trained firefighters on how to use them. Hoeft says the masks are contoured to the shape and size of cats' and dogs' faces.
"At a house fire last August in Saline, HVA paramedics saved a cat using a pet oxygen mask," said Hoeft. "The donation of these masks is a great thing."
The mask kits will be presented to HVA Feb. 5.