TAMPA, Fla. -- Two fires ripped through a couple of Tampa homes over the Thanksgiving holiday.
While no people were inside, the swift response from firefighters helped save multiple pets.
Capt. William Townsend credits their animal-friendly oxygen mask for saving a dog and a cat, rescued from a apartment fire Thursday on West Azeele Street.
"Neither of them were breathing when we brought them out," said Capt. Townsend.
Tampa Fire Rescue is the latest agency to receive oxygen mask kits tailored specifically for animals, thanks to the Project Breathe Program.
Project Breathe is a donation program operated by Tampa Bay-based Invisible Fence of Florida, a pet containment company.
"They’re important to us, they’re family to us and we do our best to get them out in a quick fashion," said Capt. Townsend.
The owner of Invisible Fence tells ABC Action News that the company has donated more than 25,000 pet-friendly oxygen mask kits over the years -- saving about 200 animals nationwide.
Tampa fire investigators credit the product for saving multiple pets from two fires Thursday night.
"I am so proud to hear the kits helped save pets lives last night," said owner Eric Wolfram. "I am so thankful for the men and women who risk their lives everyday, even on Thanksgiving."
