Kerrville Pets Alive! donated new pet oxygen masks to local fire departments to help save pets during emergencies.
KERRVILLE, Texas — When firefighters rush into a burning home, they’re not just thinking about the people inside — they’re thinking about the pets, too.
That’s why Kerrville Pets Alive! stepped in to make sure first responders have the tools they need to save four-legged family members.
On Friday, the nonprofit delivered new pet oxygen masks to the Kerrville Fire Department. The donation comes after several recent residential fires in Kerrville involved family pets.
“We have had several residential fires recently which involved family pets,” said Karen Guerriero, executive director of Kerrville Pets Alive! “Chief Maloney reached out to us to see if the old masks that we donated over five years ago could be replaced.”
The new masks, which come in sets of three different sizes to fit animals of all shapes and breeds, will be distributed across all five Kerrville fire stations.
But the support didn’t stop there.
Kerrville Pets Alive! also purchased oxygen mask kits for the Center Point, Turtle Creek, Hunt and Ingram Volunteer Fire Departments. Those departments serve communities impacted by the tragic July flooding in Kerr County, where emergency crews continue to play a critical role in recovery and safety.
Pet oxygen masks are specially designed to deliver lifesaving oxygen to animals suffering from smoke inhalation. Unlike standard human masks, they fit securely over a pet’s snout, allowing firefighters to act quickly during precious moments when every second matters.
For Kerrville Pets Alive!, the mission is simple: protect every member of the family, including the furry ones.
With the new equipment now in the hands of firefighters across the area, pets caught in future emergencies will have a stronger chance of making it home safely.