Pets rescued from fires in East Sussex will have access to specially designed oxygen masks in a bid to save the lives of more animals.
An initiative by the RSPCA and charity Smokey Paws, which joined forces to pay for the specialist kit, has ensured all fire engines in the county will now carry the equipment as part of standard practice. It is hoped the scheme will eventually be applied across the country.
Smokey Paws raises money for the life-saving masks via public donations, company sponsorships and fund-raisers.
Chief executive Brian Lockyer said: “With 46% of UK households having pets, and more than 40,000 house fires a year in the UK, pets can tragically often become the victims of smoke inhalation and poisoning. If oxygen is available at the scene, it should be provided to the pet.
“Specially designed pet oxygen masks are more effective on pets than the human masks often used to try to revive pets by first responders. Our mission is to equip every fire engine in the UK with these life-saving pet oxygen masks.”
For information about Smokey Paws can be found at www.smokeypaws.co.uk