Pet safety took a step forward in Middleburgh Monday night.
Kim Bellizzi of Invisible Fence presented three pet oxygen masks to the Middleburgh Fire Department as part of the company’s Project Breathe Program.
The three different-sized kits, she said, “are for dogs, cats and other small animals.”
Ms. Bellizzi demonstrated a mask on firefighter Mike Devlin’s dog, Bentley, who cooperated for the demo.
Firefighters would typically use the masks after rescuing a pet from a fire. Although dogs normally would resist a mask, Ms. Bellizzi said dogs suffering from smoke inhalation would be more compliant.
“We protect animals,” said Ms. Bellizzi, whose Invisible Fence office is in Galway. “Everyone wants their animals to be safe.”
Nancy Reinhart nominated the Middleburgh Fire Department to receive the masks.
Invisible Fence has donated more than 23,500 masks to fire departments in the US and Canada through Project Breathe.