A Better Way Pet Sitting Donates Masks To Save Pets

Wendi Dellemonico, owner of A Better Way Pet Sitting Service, is constantly on the look out for ways to help animals as well as give back to the community. So when she read an article about firefighters in Utah receiving pet rescue kits designed to revive dogs and cats, her mission became clear.

“I thought, this is something that I can do to help the animals in Burlington,” she said. “Many people who own pets in the United States see them as members of their family,” said Wendi, who owns 2 dogs and pet sits for many animals in Burlington and surrounding towns.

When a pet is involved in a house fire, many will hide and not come out. Those pets traditionally are not found until after the fire is out, which is often too late. But many pets have the ability to make a miraculous recovery. Having specialized oxygen masks can make their chances of recovery even greater. In the past, fire crews have had to resort to using human oxygen masks or simply conducting mouth -to- snout resuscitation for pets. The human oxygen masks, however, are not able to be adapted to seal properly around an animal’s face. The new pet oxygen masks come with several different fittings so dogs, cats and animals of all shapes and sizes can be helped.

Proving that just one person can make a difference, Wendi contacted H.E.L.P. Animals, Inc., a non-profit organization based in Orange City, Florida and purchased one of their pet rescue kits to donate to the Burlington Fire Department. H.E.L.P.’s mission is to raise funds to assist with the cost of supplies or repairs to rescue groups and shelters that are dedicated to helping injured, abused or abandoned animals. In order to provide this support, it takes an enormous amount of funding for medical, nutritional food, and adequate housing. Sales of the pet oxygen kits goes directly toward this cause.

“I know how hard it is to lose a beloved pet,” said Wendi. “It’s especially hard for children to lose pets and if we’re able to save even one life, that will be enough for me!”