Animal Lovers Can Help Rescuers Save Our Precious Pets

Suppose you are at work and a short in the electrical wiring of your home causes a fire. Or a gas leak erupts and quickly fills the air with deadly toxins...

Rescuers will do their best to extricate your frightened pet from the smoke filled dwelling, but it is possible that your dog or cat may still sustain smoke inhalation, shock, burns or other serious injuries.

In cases where humans are saved from such situations, the prompt application of oxygen is an essential component in sustaining life. But think about it....an oxygen mask that is specifically designed to fit humans is not functional when it comes to saving the life of an injured pet.

Thankfully, a hard-working and dedicated group called Companion Animal Advocates (CAA) has found a solution to this problem.

Companion Animal Advocates is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization based in Bergen County, NJ. Staffed solely on the energies of committed volunteers, CAA works to keep family pets from being surrendered to already crowded shelters in instances where their owners can no longer care for them.

In addition, CAA coordinates donations of specially sized and designed pet oxygen masks to community rescue services, such as firefighters and ambulance corps, to help ensure the survival of domestic pets in emergency situations.

Just this month a set of pet oxygen masks was donated by Mary-Anne and Joe Colucci to the Emerson Volunteer Ambulance Corp. on behalf of Companion Animal Advocates, and in memory of their dear dog Spenser.

The pet-friendly masks come in three sizes to accommodate large, medium and small sized dogs and cats. These masks will permit firefighters and EMT's to apply oxygen to pets who are facing life-threatening situations.

"CAA is doing an amazing job making sure that many towns in Bergen County are equipped," said Mary-Anne Colucci. "I would highly recommend residents contact Companion Animal Advocates to donate to their town and ensure that all pets have a fighting chance in case of the unthinkable."

The $100 tax-deductible donation of a single set of pet oxygen masks includes a full range of tools to help local community rescuers effectively attend to your pets in the worst case scenario:

• 3 oxygen masks
• 3 oxygen air tubes (1 for each mask)
• 1 Fur Life carry bag (for storage and mobility)
• 1 laminated instruction sheet (which includes the ABC's of CPR for dogs and cats
• 1 kennel lead (for animal restraint & control)
• 2 "Pet Oxygen Masks On Board" decals (for display on rescue vehicle and in department
• 1 Powerpoint presentation (for training)
• 1 instructional DVD (titled "Pets Need Oxygen Too")
• 2 Animal Incident Report (AIR) forms for first responders
• 1 pet rescue notice form

One of the many intentions of Companion Animal Advocates is to help every town in Bergen County become properly equipped with a kit of oxygen masks so that our pets can be safe.

This year alone, CAA has facilitated the donations of over 12 sets of pet oxygen masks in the county.

Check out the good work of Companion Animal Advocates on their website!

If you would like to help ensure the safety of your own precious pets in the River Edge/Oradell area by donating a set of oxygen masks to emergency responders, please contact:

Email:     Christine@CompanionAnimalAdocates.org
Website: www.CompanionAnimalAdvocates.org
Telephone:  201-706-7666