Coastal Humane Society donating pet resuscitation equipment to Dare fire departments

Pet CPR mask. [Photo courtesy SurgiVet]

Coastal Humane Society is launching a new program this month to help Dare County’s firefighters save pets caught in fires.

The goal of Operation Fresh Air for Pets is to provide all 14 Dare County Volunteer Fire Departments with state-of-the-art resuscitation equipment for dogs, cats and other small pets.

Through the program, the society is donating up to four SurgiVet Pet Oxygen Mask Kits to each Dare County volunteer fire department. The society chose these kits based on their record of performance and ease of use. The kits will allow departments to outfit more of their first response vehicles or to upgrade their current equipment.

Sandra Cheeks, Operation Fresh Air for Pets coordinator, said the idea came from society founder Barbara Britt, whose son Jon is a member of the Duck Volunteer Fire Department.

“Barbara always wanted to do this for our volunteer firefighters because she knew how hard they work to rescue pets trapped in house fires,” Cheeks said in a news release. “Now, thanks to the generosity of folks who support us, we are carrying out this program as a tribute to Barbara and all that she inspired us to do for our OBX pets.”

If you know of a fire department that could use the SurgiVet kits, or you want to help, please contact Sandra Cheeks at sandralcheeks77@gmail.com or 252-216-5538.

Operation Fresh Air for Pets is made possible, in part, by the Society’s participation in annual fundraisers with the Wags & Whiskers Gala, Kelly’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and Seaside Art Gallery.

Coastal Humane Society is a small, all volunteer, 501(c)3 organization that helps people in Dare and lower Currituck Counties care for their pets through low-cost spay and neuter, vaccination, medical assistance, food, and disaster recovery support programs. The Society has helped more than 8,000 OBX pets and families since 1997.

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