Mahoning Valley fire departments receive pet oxygen masks

YOUNGSTOWN — In a fire emergency or accident, a family wants all members saved, including those with fur, paws and tails.

That was the catalyst for Never Muzzled, an animal-advocacy group, to partner with Youngstown Fire Department on a recent fundraiser in order to buy pet oxygen masks.

Linda Liguori and her daughter, Amanda, both of Newton Falls, and Sarah Harrison of Cortland, coordinate the 501(c)3 organization that secured nonprofit status in May 2015.

“Pets are part of the family,” Liguori said.

Liguori said the need for pet oxygen masks was brought to Never Muzzled’s attention through a relative of a YFD firefighter who is involved in animal rescue.

“We learned that such equipment usually isn’t in the budget,” Liguori said.

Never Muzzled researched the Mahoning Valley situation and found most of the fire departments in Mahoning and Trumbull counties did not have these masks. Volunteers decided to raise funds to cover as many departments as possible.

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com