COLUMBUS – The Columbus Fire Department is now equipped to save a pet in the event of a house fire.

The fire department recently received pet oxygen masks through an Invisible Fence Brand donation.

The donation is part of Invisible Fence Brand’s Project Breathe, established with the goal of equipping every fire station in the United States and Canada with pet oxygen masks.

“These masks allow firefighters to give oxygen to pets who are suffering from smoke inhalation when they are rescued from fires,” said a release from Invisible Fence Brand. “The masks often save pets’ lives.”

Invisible Fence Brand donated more than 1,530 masks to more than 510 fire stations in North and South Carolina since 2008.

Nationally, Invisible Fence Brand has donated more than 10,000 pet oxygen masks in the U.S. and Canada with a reported 70 plus pets being saved by the donated masks so far.

“Our commitment to pet safety extends beyond pet containment by funding deserving projects that help keep pets safe at home,” said Jim White, owner of Invisible Fence of the Mountain Region. “By donating the pet oxygen masks, we hope to help save more pets and prevent pet owners from losing a beloved four-legged family member while dealing with the devastation from a fire.”

It is estimated that 40,000-150,000 pets die each year in fire, most succumbing to smoke inhalation and more than 500,000 pets are affected by home fires each year. The statistic is not an official U.S. Fire Administration statistic, but is based on estimates.

For more information about the pet oxygen mask donation program, visit invisiblefence.com/O2.