Sticker program could help save lives of pets in an emergency Niagara Falls window initiative would alert first responders
Niagara Falls is looking into a program through which residents with pets could stick a decal on the front of their homes to alert first responders of any animals inside in case of an emergency.
The idea was suggested by Coun. Chris Dabrowski, who during a recent city council meeting cited a similar program in Ottawa.
He said nearly three in 10 Canadians adopted a pet during the pandemic.
“I thought it could be an initiative we could bring forward here in Niagara Falls,” he said.
“Let’s say there was a house fire and the resident wasn’t home. (The sticker) would alert the rescuers, whether it be the fire department or the police department, on if there were any pets in the home and how many pets are in the home.”
Dabrowski suggested the fire department, in consultation with the local humane society, could work with the municipality’s communications department to investigate the process and costs associated with implementing such a sticker program.
“There are a ton of homeowners that are pet lovers and (provide homes) to pets,” he said.
“There’s nothing more important than pets to a lot of pet owners, and I think this would be a great way to alert any potential hazards, which we hope we don’t see, and let rescuers know how many pets are in the home.”
Mayor Jim Diodati called it “a great idea.”
Chief administrative officer Jason Burgess said staff will report back to council on the issue.
“I think there would probably be a way to do that through the (city’s) pet (dog) licensing,” he said.
“You can get your licence and you can get a sticker and do it as a combo package.”