Animals in an emergency will now have access to oxygen masks on Abbotsford's fire trucks.
Four oxygen masks for pets have been added to local fire trucks following a successful fundraiser by Mountain View Veterinary Hospital, along with Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service and the Abbotsford Fire Fighters Association (IAAF 2864).
Mountain View began fundraising on April 8, offering pet nail trims by donation. Originally aiming to provide the pet oxygen mask kits to the Township of Langley Fire Department, the fundraiser surpassed its goal in two weeks and organizers reached out to other fire departments.
Dr. Renee Ferguson, veterinarian at Mountain View, presented the masks on Monday at Fire Hall 8, and offered training to firefighters on the use of the masks and pet resuscitation techniques.
The masks come with three different sized masks that can be used on dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds and more.
Ferguson said the masks fit around animals faces better and "I think there are a lot of pets that will benefit from this."
Abbotsford fire chief Don Beer said he thinks the donation is "absolutely fantastic."
He said pets are part of the family and with the masks they have a better chance of helping animals, giving firefighters "one more tool in their tool box."