Your Dog — November 2017

“We import the masks

from the USA because

they’re a lot cheaper than

from any supplier we can

fi nd in the UK. Each set

costs £90, and contains

a mask in three different

sizes so they can fi t

different sizes of dogs,

and even ponies, cats, and

guinea pigs,” says Lynn,

who explains that Smokey

Paws also donates a muzzle

and slip-lead with each set.

Smokey Paws’ main aim is

to have all fi re engines in the

UK kitted out with pet oxygen

masks. Since the organisation

began, 34 areas across the

country (1,218 fi re engines)

have been supplied with the

equipment, and there are

many success stories already.

“One of the masks saved

the life of a two-day-old

sheepdog who managed to

survive a fi re when his four

brothers died — his owners

called him Blaze,” recalls Lynn.

Not only do the masks help

pets who have suffered from

smoke inhalation, placing

the mask over the nose of

a stressed animal can also

have a calming effect.

“Our masks helped a pony

at a road traffi c accident, and

there was an incident where

a puppy got trapped between

two walls — the oxygen

helped to calm him down

enough for the fi re crew to get

him out,” recalls Lynn.

Although there are still over

2,000 fi re engines across the

UK without oxygen masks,

Lynn says that Smokey Paws

is really starting to gain

momentum now. She and

Brian hope that, with the

support of other organisations

and the public, every fi re

engine will be kitted out with

masks by the end of 2018.

Then, Smokey Paws will

be able to turn its focus on

supplying the masks to places

which house multiple animals,

including rescue centres and

wildlife sanctuaries. Lynn says:

“Rescue centres have already

started to hold fundraising

events to raise money.

Eventually, we want them in

every fi re rescue service and

rescue centre in the country.”

http://www.yourdog.co.uk Your Dog November 2017 61

WANT TO HELP?

There are many ways in which you can help support Smokey

Paws. Although money is important, so it can purchase and

donate as many masks as possible, raising awareness and

spreading the word about the need for pet oxygen masks is

also vital. You can also nominate Smokey Paws for supermarket

charity token schemes. For more information about how you can

help, visit http://www.smokeypaws.co.uk or call 0203 195 3892.

YorDogN b 201761

help, visit http://www.smokeypaws.co.uk or call 0203 195 3892.

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The kit

containing

three mask

sizes.

Pets are at

greater risk of

smoke inhalation

during a fi re.

Dogs have

a greater chance of

survival with

a pet oxygen mask.

60-61 YD Smokey CS(SW)EW.indd 61 22/09/2017 12:25