Paws Finding Peace donates pet oxygen mask kits to Blandford Fire Department

Members from Paws Finding Peace visit the Blandford Fire Department and its volunteers to donate pet oxygen masks kits for them to have on each vehicle.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo

CHICOPEE — Pets in Blanford will soon get the treatment they need during major emergencies thanks to a recent local partnership.

Paws Finding Peace, a locally owned and operated provider of pet aftercare services, partnered with the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association Charities to provide the Blandford Fire Department with five pet oxygen mask kits, ensuring every department vehicle is equipped to provide oxygen support to pets during emergency responses.

On July 8, Dr. Lauren Atkins and Nitasha Quinones of Paws Finding Peace met with Blandford Fire Chief Adam Dolby and members of the Blandford Volunteer Fire Department to deliver the pet oxygen mask kits and to review and demonstrate the equipment and its intended use.
Atkins said it was cool to drop off the kits and demonstrate how they work at the department’s weekly meeting.

“The chief could have said just drop them off, and instead, he said, hey come to our meeting and that way you can show us how to use them,” Atkins said.

This donation equips each department vehicle with a complete pet oxygen mask kit. Each kit includes three pet oxygen masks, small, medium, and large, so companion animals of all sizes can be assisted.

Whether you have a Great Dane or a hamster, the Fire Department now has equipment just for them.

“The flow rates of the oxygen varies upon the size of the animal,” Atkins stated. “The goal is that they can hopefully help any pet family member, so like a big dog or even like a teeny little pocket pet, you can actually have their little face put in one of these oxygen masks, too.”

The firefighters were enthusiastic and excited to receive this equipment, according to Atkins. “It makes sense because most everybody has pets themselves, and they all know when they go to people’s houses, people care deeply about their pets, so it was really, really well received.”

During the visit, the volunteer firefighters connected the pet masks to their current oxygen lines and emergency manual resuscitator — the bag valve mask — confirming the masks were compatible and ready to be put in use.

The kits also included a training DVD and best practice guidance to support emergency oxygen administration for pets suffering from smoke inhalation or other respiratory emergencies.

Paws Finding Peace said in a press release that nearly 30,000 fire incidents are reported across the commonwealth each year, with almost half occurring in residential homes, making access to pet oxygen masks an important resource for first responders responding to emergencies involving companion animals.

Paws Finding Peace believes that supporting pets means supporting the communities that care for them. As a locally owned and operated Western Massachusetts business, Paws Finding Peace provides at-home euthanasia and water-based cremation services at their Chicopee Pet Aftercare Center located at 904 Meadow St. They regularly partner with local animal welfare organizations, veterinary professionals, and community groups to improve resources, expand education and promote the health and well-being of companion animals throughout our area, according to the organization.

“It’s wonderful,” Atkins said about the pet oxygen mask program. “It kind of supports our mission to help pets and pet families in the area.”

This donation was made possible through the partnership and support of the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association Charities. Through its Pet Oxygen Mask Program, they work to equip fire departments throughout Massachusetts with specialized equipment, educational resources and training materials to improve emergency outcomes for companion animals.

Atkins added that fire departments can reach out to MVMA to be put on a list for the pet oxygen masks. An individual pet owner could donate a mask to a local fire department as well.

To learn more about the MVMA Charities Pet Oxygen Mask Program, readers can visit mvmacharities.org.

To learn more about Paws Finding Peace and its services, readers can visit pawsfindingpeace.com.