Outlet: Virginia Beach Beacon

By Melanie Barker, Correspondent

Local pets and their owners can breathe a little easier.

The Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad recently received a donation of 10 kits containing oxygen masks designed specifically for pets. Each kit contains three masks- small, medium and large- that fit over an animal’s muzzle.

The kits will allow the squad – which operates a station at the Oceanfront and one in the Great Neck area – to keep a kit in each of its 10 rescue ambulances. The Invisible Fence Brand of Hampton Roads donated the kits as part the company’s national “Project Breathe” campaign.

Harry Bigley, who owns the regional Invisible Fence dealership, said the goal of “Project Breathe” is to ensure that every fire and rescue house in the country has at least one pet oxygen mask kit. So far, about 3,000 kits have been placed nationwide, Bigley said.

Bigley said last year, Invisible  Fence donated 10 kits to the Chesapeake Fire Department. As recently as July 23, that equipment was used to help revive and save a dog during a house fire, he said.

Travis Smith, lieutenant of equipment for the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad, said the city’s fire department already has pet oxygen masks. But his squad is the first of the city’s 10, all-volunteer rescue squads to receive kits from Invisible Fence.

On Aug. 3, the squad held an open house at its Oceanfront station to acknowledge receipt of the kits. Cake and treats were served to people and their pets, while the city’s Animal Care & Adoption Center showed off dogs and cats available for adoption.

Roy White, commander of the rescue squad, enjoyed the change of pace. “Usually the only time people see us, they’re not having a very good day,” White said. “This is a good day.”