Tail Wagger’s USA is committed to
helping people help animals. It is our ultimate goal
to be able to support dedicated pet owners who are in need of
assistance along
with providing necessary funding for those animals in emergency
situations.
Breath of Life
Tail Wagger’s USA is proud to announce the
distribution of oxygen masks to local Fire
Departments. This long-time vision was made possible
by the generous donations from the supporters that attended
the 20th Annual TailWagger’s
Bowl.
Chairman Matt Schaecher, a Detroit Firefighter,
had risked his own life when he carried a dog out of a fire,
using his own oxygen mask, causing minor lung
damage. To date, 29 sets of masks have been purchased -
each containing a large canine, small canine and
feline.
Founder Laura Zain has set her sights high and
is hoping to equip all of Wayne, Washtenaw and Livingston
County if donations are received. Each oxygen mask set costs
$50 and comes included with the hosing and instruction
card.
To date, Westland, Redford, Garden City and
Inkster Fire Departments have received oxygen
masks from Tail Wagger’s USA. Citizens of these cities
can be assured that every rescue vehicle is equipped and
ready to save the life of their pet!
Watch our progress and view the photo-stories
of presentations made to date.
Donations can be made specifically to the
Breath of Life
Campaign so that we can continue to equip the Fire
Departments that are in need. Thank you for saving a life of
someone's pet!
Supplemental Oxygen
Mask
The supplemental O2 masks can be used to
provide oxygen to animals that are in
respiratory distress. The mask has a 22mm x
hose barb adapter on the inlet side,
allowing you to connect either oxygen
tubing (included) or the adapter can be
removed to allow the attachment of a
standard 22mm resuscitation bag or to an
anesthesia machine breathing circuit. The
mask also has dual vents on the sides to
allow unrestricted inhalation and
exhalation. If oxygen flow is set too low
for patient requirement, the vents will
allow the patient to inhale ambient air. If
oxygen flow is set too high for patient
requirement, the vents will allow excess
air to escape.
Local Fire Departments
Receives Life-Saving Tool For Pet Rescue
January, 2010 – When fire strikes, family pets
can be injured or die from inhaling smoke. Because human oxygen
masks don’t fit over animals’ snouts, local firefighters and
rescue personnel can’t do much to help them. Until now.
Pet owners in Westland, Redford and Garden City
can breathe a little easier – and so can their pets – because
firefighters are receiving sets of specially-designed oxygen
masks for use on dogs and cats – thanks to the generosity of
Tail Wagger’s USA.
The fire department’s newly-acquired masks
operate much as human masks do, but are cone-shaped to fit over
an animal’s snout and come in three sizes – large canine mask,
small canine mask and feline. Their design makes them more
effective at delivering oxygen to family pets who have suffered
smoke inhalation during a home fire.
Tail Wagger’s USA heard about the oxygen masks
and was able to purchase them primarily due to the generous
donations and support from their recent Tail Wagger’s Bowl –
their signature fundraising event held every November.
Founder Laura Zain had a vision three years ago
to equip local fire fighters with these masks after hearing
about how Matt Schaecher, a Detroit Firefighter, had to carry a
dog out of a house fire in Detroit. Schaecher put his own life
at risk by using his own oxygen mask to save a dog and suffered
minor lung damage because of it.
Pets are at a greater risk than their owners of
suffering smoke inhalation during a home fire because they hide
rather than leave the house. Last year, more than 40,000 family
pets died in home fires across the United States.
More cities can receive the masks if animal
lovers step forward to contribute to the Tail Wagger’s USA
Breath Of Life campaign. Mask sets cost $50 each and to date,
twenty-nine sets have been purchased and will be distributed to
neighboring cities in need.
Contributions can be made through HYPERLINK
"http://www.tailwaggersusa.org" www.tailwaggersusa.org or by
mail at 27859 Oakley St., Livonia, MI 48154.
Tail Wagger’s USA is a 501 (c)(3) Non-Profit
Organization, committed to helping people help animals. It is
their ultimate goal to be able to support dedicated pet owners
who are in need of assistance along with providing necessary
funding for those animals in emergency situations.