Donated Oxygen Masks Could Save Pets in Southern Illinois

The chief of a Southern Illinois fire protection district says new equipment recently donated to the department may have helped save four dogs that died in a house fire last year.

The (Alton) Telegraph reports the South Roxana Fire Protection District received two pet oxygen mask kits from employees of St. Louis’ Kennelwood Pet Resorts.

Company officials say thousands of pets die in fires every year, most from smoke inhalation.

Todd Werner is chief of the fire protection district. He’s says he’s not sure if the masks would have made a difference in last year’s fire. But Werner says: “We could have tried something more than what we were able to do.”

The kits include different sizes of masks to fit many varieties of dogs and cats.