Pet Resuscitation Masks Program Expands Again

Best Friends Cause for Paws program continues to grow. As of February 1 st, more than 850 pet resuscitation masks had been donated to fire departments and emergency rescue teams across five states.

The entire Charlotte, NC fire department is now outfitted with pet rescue masks, thanks to the strong public response to the fund drive. And three more fire departments in Central New Jersey have received masks because of a the generosity of the Garden State Cat Club. In both cases, community contributions were matched by Best Friends, doubling the number of masks that could be donated to rescue teams.

The program is currently being expanded to several more communities, including Fairfield County and New Haven County in Connecticut, Spring, Texas and Prairie View, Illinois.

Under the Cause for Paws program, Best Friends matches community contributions on a dollar for dollar basis for donation to fire stations within 15 miles of the participating Best Friends facilities. Gifts of $50 (enough to purchase a full set of three masks) may be earmarked for a specific fire station.

The pet oxygen masks attach to standard oxygen tanks, just as human masks do. However, human masks don't fit properly over an animal's snout and are not effective. The pet masks are specially designed for use on dogs and cats and are being donated in sets of three for small, medium and large pets.

The pet masks program began in July 2004. Participating Best Friends locations include; Best Friend North Plainfield, NJ Pet Resort; Best Friends Norwalk, CT Pet Resort; Keystone Pet Care Center in Bethany, CT; Best Friends Pineville, NC Pet Resort; Best Friends Rocky Hill, CT Pet Resort; Best Friends Mountain View Kennel, Avon, CT; Best Friends Greenville, SC Pet Resort; Best Friends Shady Grove Kennel in Durham, NC and Best Friends Four Star Pet Hotel in Lansing, MI. For more information, contact any of the Best Friends locations listed above.