Story by Rhett Fleitz

A  Powhatan County fifth grader is making a difference for pets, pet lovers, and fire departments around Virginia and beyond. Monica became interested after seeing a story about a pet who survived a fire after being administered oxygen via a pet mask. She soon realized that not all firefighters have this tool to their disposal. She then thought up PetMask.com. The idea behind PetMask.com is simple, she raises money to purchase pet oxygen masks and then she donates them to fire departments.  The website boasts her accomplishments, her plans for the future, and her search for fire departments in need of pet oxygen masks. Her story has been covered on the news and in magazines.

The website states:

Pets are often more vulnerable to smoke inhalation in fires because they hide. Unfortionatly human oxygen masks don’t fit properly on animals and can’t be used to provide them with the much needed oxygen. These little cup-shaped pet masks were originally developed for use by veterinarians and seal around the muzzle of an animal tighter than a human mask. This helps firefighters deliver the right amount of oxygen to the pet.

The cone-shaped plastic masks, which come in three different sizes and fit snugly on snouts, can resuscitate animals suffering from smoke inhalation. This mask set is so versatile it should take care of just about any air breathing animal species from a tiny bird or reptile to a St. Bernard. The masks are economical, reusable, sturdy and easily cleaned, plus they have a 2 year manufacturer warranty.

We hope that by raising money to purchase pet oxygen mask kits that we will contribute to saving pets and protecting pet owners that may risk their own life to save a pet in a fire.

PetMask.com offers the following on Monica:

Hi, I’m Monica and I am a 10 year old fifth grader at Pocahontas Middle School in Powhatan County, Virginia. I came up with the idea of raisingmoney to buy pet oxygen masks for our fire department after seeing a news story where one was used to save a family’s pet after a house fire.

I am an animal lover and care a whole lot about all animals. I want to become a veterinarian when I grow up and open my own clinic.

I hope to raise enough money to buy pet oxygen mask kits for each fire station. It would make me so happy to know one of my oxygen mask helped save a pet’s life.

So far, Petmask.com has supplied kits to Powhatan, Hopewell, and a Glen Aubrey (NY) Fire Departments. She is currently working on Amelia, Chesterfield, and possibly Prince George County Fire Departments.

She is not only in need of donations, but also to find out departments which would like to take her up on the offer for free pet masks.

You can read about the types of masks she purchases and donates here.

PetMask.com also offers photos, videos, and other information about Monica on her quest.

Does your fire department need pet oxygen mask kits? Are you a fire department employee or volunteer looking for mask kits? Contact PetMask.com at request@petmask.com and let them know. They can help!

Be sure and tune in to CBS 6 – WTVR Wednesday, Febuary 11 at 9:00 am. Monica will be featured on “Virginia This Morning” to discuss PetMask.com and her efforts to support fire departments and our pets.