WEST SPRINGFIELD – This month, owner Joe Fitzgerald and the staff at Invisible Fence of Western Mass donated oxygen masks to the West Springfield Fire Department as a part of Project Breathe.

Project Breathe, a donation program created by Invisible Fence, provides oxygen mask kits to fire departments and first responders nationwide. Inside each kit, a small, medium and large mask are included. Each fire department receives one upon request and the masks can be used repeatedly.

According to the Invisible Fence website, the program has saved over “190 pets from fire and smoke inhalation from the over 23,500 masks that have been donated.”

Invisible Fence of Western Mass purchases the kits from Project Breathe and all proceeds go to the organization to ensure that masks can continue to be provided nationwide to fire departments.

Renee Poreda, Office Manager for Invisible Fence of Western Mass, shared the pivotal moment that led the Longmeadow office to help. “It started with someone requesting a donation on our website. I gave him a call and he said he was at a fire and there was a cat trapped in it. He was trying to do his best to save the cat, but it passed away and it upset him a lot. This was the first time we donated and they were really great and happy. We felt we should do our part.”

Since then, Invisible Fence of Western Mass has donated Project Breathe oxygen mask kits to eight local fire departments including South Hadley and Southwick.

Thanks to the donation, the West Springfield Fire Department will now be equip with properly fitted masks to save the lives of residents’ furry friends.

Poreda has enjoyed taking part in the Project Breathe program. “It’s been great to go and meet all of these firemen. They’re all so thankful and most never knew it existed. Certain departments would try to take adult ones and fit them and it wouldn’t work. There are three different sizes to help any animal.”

To request a Project Breathe oxygen mask kit for your department, please visit www.invisiblefence.com/why-invisible-fence/project-breathe.