Pets breathe easy thanks to charity
THREE fire stations in Sefton are now equipped with pet-friendly oxygen masks, thanks to donations from animal lovers.
The masks, provided by the charity Smokey Paws, are part of a kit specially tailored for small household pets and larger animals.
Following an initial trial of six masks in fire stations in Formby, Croxteth, Toxteth, Birkenhead, St Helens and Huyton last September, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS) now has 14 Smokey Paws masks.
The kits are being carried on fire engines based at Southport and Bootle & Netherton community fire stations in Sefton, as well as at Speke, Upton, Old Swan, Eccleston Kirkdale and Wallasey Community Fire Stations.
Costing £90 each, the kits consist of three oxygen masks that can be used for a variety of animals. They also include oxygen tubes, muzzles and a slip lead in case an animal becomes agitated while being rescued.
They range in size to fit small pets such as hamsters, snakes, dogs and cats and larger animals such as sheep and horses, and are designed to fit snugly to ensure a better flow of oxygen.
Group manager Rob Pritchard, who has worked closely with Smokey Paws to help procure the masks for MFRS fire engines, said: “It’s fantastic to now have pet oxygen masks on appliances at three community fire stations in Sefton. We are incredibly grateful to the people and organi- sations who have helped raise money to allow us to boost our numbers of the Smokey Paws kits.
“They will vastly improve our chances of reviving many more animals across Sefton who have suffered smoke inhalation.”
He added: “Pets are an enormous part of any family, so we are thrilled that we are have more of this life-saving equipment on fire engines across Sefton.”
Smokey Paws is a not-for-profit organisation that provides the first aid masks to fire services throughout the UK and relies on donations and fundraising from individuals and organisations.
Lynn Carberry, co-founder of Smokey Paws, said: “It is fantastic that Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service has received two more kits for its Sefton stations and that these will be used to ensure pets’ lives are saved.”
She added: “Up until now, many fire services have been using human masks when treating animals which aren’t shaped effectively enough; our pet masks ensure as much oxygen can be administered as possible to the animal or pet in need.
“Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service need a lot more of our pet life-saving masks and we would love to hear from any members of the public, local businesses and community groups within the Sefton area who can help us raise funds.”
To find out more, or if you can help raise funds and awareness, contact Lynn on 0203 195 3892/07340 754408 or at lynn@ smokeypaws.co.uk
Further information can also be found at www.smokeypaws. co.uk and www.facebook.com/ helpsmokeypaws