Thanks to a fundraising initiative by the Putnam County 4-H Dog Club, the Greencastle Fire Department will be able to help pets in need of oxygen when rescued from fires.

Rob Frank, assistant chief with the Greencastle Fire Department, told the Putnam County Post the idea was the result of efforts from Jane Hugh, the Putnam County 4-H Dog Club leader.

"She reached out to all the county fire chiefs last fall and said the 4-H Dog Club was raising money to buy all county fire and EMS pet oxygen masks. I believe she said she got the idea when she saw another county doing something similar. She thought if they can do it there, why not here in our county," Frank said. 

Frank explained the goal was one per fire department, and she asked the Greencastle department how many more would they want if she could get them.

"They were able to raise enough money through sponsors, donations and a grant from the Putnam County Community Foundation Youth Philanthropy to get the departments the amount they requested," Frank said. 

With the donations in hand, the Greencastle Fire Department will now have masks on all its fire apparatus, according to Frank.

"We had a set on our engine, and we have used them several times. But to have them available on all of our fire apparatus makes them more accessible and will allow us to work on multiple pets if that occasion were to arise," Frank said. 

He acknowledged the masks are invaluable to the department and pets.

"Pets are like family to a lot of people. We do everything we can to try to save them. The availability of these masks will give us a better chance of doing that," Frank said.