Life Saving Equipment For Pets

Local firefighters will have a better chance to save pets caught in fires thanks to new equipment and training.

Local realtor John Deak and his wife Teresa donated three sets of pet oxygen delivery systems to Vernon Fire Rescue.

“It provides a varying range of snout sizes, for larger dogs, down to like a guinea pig or kittens. So what we’re doing is giving them the ability to rescue pets,” John Deak tells Kiss FM.

Deak says he would like to see other fire departments in the area get the equipment as well.

He says each kit costs about $100.

Dr. Jessica Barker from Tri Lake Animal Hospital demonstrated how to use the masks on a rabbit, a dog, and a cat.

Chris Kulak, Training Officer with Fire Rescue, says they have already put the equipment into operation.

“Emergencies affect all walks of life including pets. Thanks to this generous donation it gives us another tool to help those in need,” Kulak tells Kiss FM.

Kulak says the opportunity to save pets in fires is not that common.

“There aren’t a lot but there are pets that are impacted by fire, and it gives us the ability more efficient in the delivery of oxygen therapy.”

Photo: Dr. Jessica Barker (centre) demonstrates putting a pet oxygen mask on Zera the dog with Vernon firefighters Dan Nadeau and Allyson Reich looking on. (Pete McIntyre/Kiss FM)