Donation to Milan Fire Dept. will save family pets

Donation to MFD will save family pets

By Logan Watson

It is often said that it is the little things that matter in life. The photos, keepsakes and trinkets that bind our pasts to the present. These things cannot be replaced, and in the event of a house fire, these items are either the first to be saved or the first to be missed.
Family pets also hold a special place in our hearts, and some new equipment donated to the Milan Fire Department last Thursday can help firefighters save their lives.
Invisible Fence of West Tennessee, located in Martin, presented the department with two pet oxygen mask kits as part of their “Project Breathe” program. Since the inception of the program, Invisible Fence has donated more than 10,000 pet masks to fire departments across the United States and Canada.
“This project has been so well received,” said Robert Lee, owner of Invisible Fence of West Tennessee. “We are going to donate 1,100 pet mask kits to all 18 fire departments in our area.”
The kit consists of three oxygen masks designed specifically for animals. The masks come in three sizes to accommodate all breeds of dogs and cats, and connect to the oxygen tanks used by firefighters, operating in the same way as their non-rebreathers.
“We have had several instances recently where pets have succumbed to smoke inhalation,” said Chief Dillard. “Close to half of the homes in Milan have family pets, so we’re really happy about this. Pet owners will be, too.”

SAVING PETS – The Milan Fire Department received a donation of two Pet Oxygen Mask Kits last Thursday. The masks are designed to fit all breeds of dogs and cats to help pets recover from smoke inhalation. Pictured are (from left) Milan Fire Chief Steven Dillard and Robert Lee, owner of Invisible Fence of West Tennessee. Photo by Logan Watson.