A cat rescued in Paddington house fire was the first to benefit.
A cat in London has become the first pet in London to benefit from a specially-adapted oxygen mask for animals.
The cat was rescued from a house fire in Paddington on Friday 8 July, along with another cat on the ground floor.
Created and donated by non-profit organisation Smokey Paws, the masks are designed to fit around pets' snouts, giving them as much oxygen as possible.
On its website, Smokey Paws outlined the organisation's mission: “Our oxygen masks are specifically designed to provide essential care to pets on the scene of a house fire.
“We want to ensure that no matter what animal is your best friend, that they’ll be safe. Smokey Paws is distributing our masks to emergency services across the country to save as many lives as possible.”
At the scene of the rescue was Station Officer Nathan Beeby, who discussed the value of the pet oxygen mask: “Crews did a great job in challenging conditions to tackle this house fire and then were able to focus on the pets they had rescued.
“Having something specially designed made so much difference as the mask is properly sealed around the animal’s muzzle and all the oxygen is going into their lungs.
“The crews all thought it was a great piece of equipment that was easy to use with the training they had all had, quick to get to work with and ultimately saved the cat's life.
“Having the specialist equipment there also put the occupier at ease and they were really happy with the outcome.”
The masks are available in three different sizes, and have been used countrywide on dogs, cats, rabbits, snakes, guinea pigs, ducks and other pets, but this is the first time they have been used in London.
Fire engines in Battersea, Paddington, Richmond and Hammersmith will carry the masks as a pilot scheme, before rolling them out to fire stations across London.
The Brigade's Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Operational Policy, Dave O'Neill, said: “Of course a firefighter’s priority is always to save any human life, but we know how precious people’s pets are to them and we also know owners will put their own lives at risk by trying to return to a burning building to rescue them.
“We know there’s been an increase in people getting pets during the pandemic and we are likely to see more animals involved in incidents, so we needed to improve our ability to respond appropriately.
“This new equipment will allow our crews to safely provide oxygen to any animals which need medical attention in the immediate aftermath of a fire. They will also bring a bit of hope and positivity to families in a traumatic situation.”
Image (C) London Fire Brigade - Image taken from Twitter page @LondonFire
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
