Cat Rescued from Structure Fire

COLUMBIA, SC – Columbia Fire Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins announced today that during a residential structure fire yesterday afternoon (June 25^th) on Tryon St, in the Olympia community, fire crews rescued an unresponsive cat that was located inside when the home was being searched.

Columbia Firefighters removed the cat, began chest compressions and administered oxygen using one of our Wagn’N O2 Fur Life® pet oxygen kits that was donated to our department.  After several minutes he regained consciousness.  Columbia Firefighters cared for him until City of Columbia Animal Services took custody and its owner located, which we are glad to report the owner was located and informed us that the cat’s name is “Soldier”.  At last check “Soldier” was recovering.

This and many other pet rescues are successful with specialized pet kits like the ones from Wagn’N O2 Fur Life® that have been donated to Columbia Fire Department from citizens of the City of Columbia and Richland County.

In November 2012 Columbia Fire Department partnered with two Columbia citizens and Wagn’N O2 Fur Life® Program.  This partnership provided a way for those who wanted to donate pet oxygen kits to CFD.

Wagn’N O2 Fur Life was established in 2008 and has been providing these kits to fire departments through direct, sponsorship/gift and fellowship programs.  The kits a $75 fee, contain specially designed animal oxygen masks and other valuable materials that aide firefighters when they encounter a conscious or unconscious pet.

The Columbia Fire Department encourages you to visit www.petoxygenmasks.org to learn more about the Wag’N O2 Fur Life® Program and how to donate lifesaving pet oxygen kits to the Columbia Fire Department.  To donate go the website, www.petoxygenmasks.org then choose METHOD #2 to sponsor and under Choose Options select A Fire Department and under Department Information make sure you type in Columbia SC Fire Department.