Chapel Hill, Carrboro fire departments get oxygen masks for pets

Firefighters in Chapel Hill and Carrboro are now better equipped to save pets' lives when battling a blaze.

The Invisible Fence Company on Monday donated to every Chapel Hill and Carrboro fire station specially designed oxygen masks made to fit over an animal’s snout.

Invisible Fence says approximately 500,000 pets are affected by home fires each year and that 40,000 to 150,000 die – most from smoke inhalation.

The company says that the fear of smoke can cause a pet to become confused and that indoor cats tend to hide in fear and can get trapped inside burning homes.