Save Pets From House Fires With Fido Bags: Youngsville Fire Department’s New Initiative

The Youngsville Fire Department will now have something new for each unit within their department that will be able to help our furry friends when their home catches on fire according to KLFY.

Did you know that 40,000 family pets perish each year across the country because they inhale the dangerous fumes produced by a fire?  The Fetch Foundation shares that shocking statistic on its website. They state that half a million pets likely are impacted by a fire.

It was several years ago when we first reported on an effort to bring The Fetch Foundation's Fido Bags to fire trucks in Lafayette. A Fido Bag is a bag that has supplies that can be used to treat our animals if they too are involved in a fire.

The Fido Bag comes equipped with a special oxygen mask along with the following:

• Burn Cream
• A Water Bowl
• Blankets
• Gloves
• Wet Wipes
• Leashes

The oxygen mask is versatile as it can fit small and large animals, and it's reusable. If you click here you can find out how to donate a bag. Here's their video:

Youngsville Fire Department Captain Lindy Bolgiano says

It really stuck out to me that we need to do more for not just our residents, but their extended family as pet friends as well. What better way for us to give back than to make sure we can assure them that their pets will be taken care of in a crisis or time of need?

This 501(C) 3 non-profit organization says part of its mission is to make sure there is a Fido Bag in "Every station in the nation".

Another part of their mission is to help with other rescue missions and to help abandoned dogs. The Homeless 2 Heroes Program matches dogs that have been surrendered with people who have disabilities.

Dogs are selected and trained to help those who need a service dog to make life easier. The program leaders say these dogs are so happy to know they are helping their humans.