– Donation will help save dogs and cats suffering from injuries caused during house fires –
Franklin, NC – In an effort to help local first responders save family pets during house fires and other life-threatening emergencies, Noah’s Ark Animal Companion Hospital today donated oxygen masks specially designed for small animals to Franklin Fire and Rescue and the Macon County Emergency Medical Service.
“During the summer, we learned from local fire and EMS personnel that as they saved some house pets during a fire, their stock of these important pet first-aid supplies needed replenishing,” said Dr. Jeff Todd, owner of Noah’s Ark. “We always believe it’s our obligation to help our first responders and local pet owners in times of need, and this is the perfect opportunity to accomplish that goal. We respect our first responders, and any chance we can help, we do what we can.”
In 2023, there were 527 fire calls and 1,489 animal-related calls to 911 in Macon County. As a result of the donation, all of Macon County will be covered when it comes to this pet life-saving equipment.
“This donation demonstrates just how critical it is for the community to partner with local first responders,” said Ben Ormond, chief of the department of Franklin Fire and Rescue. “Our first responders take their duties personally and it’s upsetting to lose anyone to a tragedy, even a pet. Noah’s Ark’s generosity helps all of us.”
The oxygen masks are designed specifically for small animals like dogs and cats and can make the difference for a beloved pet to survive a devastating fire and smoke inhalation.
“We want to do everything we can for our local families and visitors in Macon County,” said Warren Cabe, Macon EMS director. “These life-saving devices makes doing our jobs that much easier.”
“With this equipment, EMS providers can potentially save the life of a pet with smoke inhalation in the event of a fire. For so many of us, our pets are more than just pets, they are FAMILY,” said Wendy Barker EMT-P. “This is a great partnership between local first responders and Noah’s Ark to provide not only care to the citizens and visitors of Macon County but to those people’s beloved pets. Macon County EMS is very fortunate to have the generosity of this local veterinary clinic to provide these lifesaving oxygen delivery devices. And so, from the bottom of our hearts a HUGE thank you to Noah’s Ark!”
Located in Franklin, Noah’s Ark Animal Companion Hospital is Macon County’s largest AAHA accredited veterinarian office. In addition to its comprehensive pet health services, NACAH offers doggie daycare and training services at Noah’s Playground and Noah’s Play and Train facilities. For more information, visit https://noahsarkvet.us.
Franklin Fire and Rescue is located in Franklin, North Carolina. The Department was formed in 1911 and has 32 highly trained, dedicated volunteer members and ten full time paid members. Franklin responds to just under 2,000 calls a year. The department has eight trucks in house and has over 39 square miles of fire district. For more information, visit https://www.franklinfire-rescue.com.
