AUSTIN, Texas — Ever wonder how firefighters help pets after rescuing them from fires? The Austin Firefighters Association broke it down.
Austin firefighters carry specialized oxygen kits on every apparatus designed to revive animals suffering from smoke inhalation, the association said.
Each kit contains three oxygen masks, sized small, medium and large. They can fit animals ranging from birds and cats to large dogs.
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The masks are made to create a tight seal around an animal’s snout, allowing firefighters to deliver high concentrations of oxygen directly to the animal.
The kits also include oxygen tubing that connects to the same supply used for human patients, a kennel lead to safely restrain frightened or disoriented animals, and instructions to pass the animals off to veterinarians.
Many Austin fire companies supplement the standard kits with additional supplies, according to the association. Those enhancements can include pet carriers or blankets for safely moving animals away from a scene, cooling supplies or towels for treating heat exposure, and treats or muzzles to calm stressed animals.
When a pet is rescued, firefighters assess the animal’s breathing, secure it and apply the appropriately sized mask to deliver oxygen until the animal can be transported for veterinary treatment.
“This isn’t just about saving property — it’s about protecting families,” the association said. “And in Austin, pets are family.”