ALBURTIS, Pa. — Macungie Ambulance Corps now has four new sets of pet oxygen masks — something they say is key if a furry or scaly friend is caught in a fire.
Cold Nose Lodge, a pet day care, training center and store in Alburtis, officially donated the mask sets Monday, matching about $200 in donations by its clients.
According to those at Cold Nose Lodge, the Lower Macungie Fire Department used pet oxygen masks — also donated by the business — in August to treat cats at the scene of an Alburtis fire.
After learning about the donation, Macungie Ambulance Corps Safety Coordinator Jack D’Andrea reached out to Cold Nose Lodge about also providing masks for the ambulances.
"I just want us to be able to give back to the community, but there's also a bit of a selfish reason for doing it."
Cold Nose Lodge owner Rayne Reitnauer
"I just want us to be able to give back to the community, but there's also a bit of a selfish reason for doing it," Cold Nose Lodge owner Rayne Reitnauer said.
"God forbid that, knock on wood, we ever should have a fire at our facility, we want to be sure that all the first responders are able to do everything that they possibly can to save the dogs who are entrusted with us."
'Important to get them care'
The day care typically houses more than 50 dogs at a time throughout the year, Reitnauer said.
She said the different sizes in the sets will allow for snug fits on a wide amount of pets' snouts — including dogs, cats and even snakes.
Reitnauer is a candidate for the 130th District state House seat, running as a Democrat against Republican David Maloney.
"I think at fires specifically, we probably take care of more animals than we do people," Macungie Ambulance Corps Executive Director Chris Greb said.
"I think a lot of times people know enough to get out, and the animals might be trying to or they're not really sure what to do."
He said it has become more typical to see emergency equipment for pets in EMS operations and anticipates at least "a couple uses a year" from the agency.
"People's pets are definitely part of the family. So I think it's just as important to get them care as it is the rest of the family members."
Macungie Ambulance Corps Safety Coordinator Jack D'Andrea
Previously, the corps had only one vehicle that could deliver oxygen to pets, and the donation will give it the necessary equipment in all vehicles.
"People's pets are definitely part of the family," Macungie Ambulance Corps Safety Coordinator Jack D'Andrea said.
"So I think it's just as important to get them care as it is the rest of the family members."