Animal activist donates oxygen masks to save local dogs
(Submitted photo)
SMYRNA – Local nonprofit founder and animal activist Sarah Hill described a house fire in Smyrna that nearly took her dogs from her, and discussed the reasons behind her recent donation of pet based oxygen mask kits to fire departments throughout Chenango County.
According to East Coast Adoptions Founder Sarah Hill, the organization was created in 2007 with the goal of rescuing dogs and puppies from high kill, overpopulated areas in the south, to give them a chance of a good life up north. Hill said the idea to purchase and donate the pet based oxygen masks came to her after nearly losing some of her own dogs in an electrical fire that claimed her home.
Hill added that the Smyrna, Sherburne, North Norwich, Plymouth and Earlville fire departments have received oxygen masks with the goal of saving dogs who are suffering from smoke inhalation related to house fires.
“On June 13, 2018, in Smyrna, my husband and I woke up at 4:45 a.m. to one of our dogs growling,” she said. “We saw an amber go past one of our windows in the upstairs bedroom, and my husband ran downstairs and saw our deck and entire side of the house was on fire – the flames were up to the roof.”
She said they yelled for their dogs to get outside and went with them before realizing that some of the dogs hadn’t been able to make it out.
“When we got outside, we realized we were missing two of our dogs, and my husband ran back in and upstairs to carry them down because they were too scared to move,” said Hill. “Less than a minute later, he came out with them and the fire broke into the house.”
“We would have all been trapped upstairs. We had been out of cell service for a few days, so I loaded up the dogs in the car and drove two miles down the road to call 911.”
She said while she drove away from the house to get service, her husband was able to get all but one of their puppies out of the fire.
According to Hill, approximately 25 minutes later, Smyrna and Sherburne fire departments showed up with Earlville not far behind, and Plymouth down the road on standby.
“There was a puppy still inside that we weren't able to get to, and I was sure she must have passed of smoke inhalation,” said Hill. “Then two of the Sherburne firefighters broke down the back basement door, and with their flashlights were able to locate her, crying in her playpen.”
“They carried her to me, she was alive and well, it was a miracle. Later that day, one of the two firefighters that got her out ended up adopting her. He named her Smokey and she is a common visitor at the Sherburne Fire Department.”
She said as a result of the fire her home was completely demolished.
“My sister is a first responder, and she gave me the idea of thanking the fire departments with providing the oxygen masks kits as a thank you for the volunteers who leave work and put their life on the line to help others,” she added. “The kits are about $110 each, but I believe they will save at least one animal in the future, and that is worth way more.”
According to East Coast Adoptions Founder Sarah Hill, the organization was created in 2007 with the goal of rescuing dogs and puppies from high kill, overpopulated areas in the south, to give them a chance of a good life up north. Hill said the idea to purchase and donate the pet based oxygen masks came to her after nearly losing some of her own dogs in an electrical fire that claimed her home.
Hill added that the Smyrna, Sherburne, North Norwich, Plymouth and Earlville fire departments have received oxygen masks with the goal of saving dogs who are suffering from smoke inhalation related to house fires.
“On June 13, 2018, in Smyrna, my husband and I woke up at 4:45 a.m. to one of our dogs growling,” she said. “We saw an amber go past one of our windows in the upstairs bedroom, and my husband ran downstairs and saw our deck and entire side of the house was on fire – the flames were up to the roof.”
She said they yelled for their dogs to get outside and went with them before realizing that some of the dogs hadn’t been able to make it out.
“When we got outside, we realized we were missing two of our dogs, and my husband ran back in and upstairs to carry them down because they were too scared to move,” said Hill. “Less than a minute later, he came out with them and the fire broke into the house.”
“We would have all been trapped upstairs. We had been out of cell service for a few days, so I loaded up the dogs in the car and drove two miles down the road to call 911.”
She said while she drove away from the house to get service, her husband was able to get all but one of their puppies out of the fire.
According to Hill, approximately 25 minutes later, Smyrna and Sherburne fire departments showed up with Earlville not far behind, and Plymouth down the road on standby.
“There was a puppy still inside that we weren't able to get to, and I was sure she must have passed of smoke inhalation,” said Hill. “Then two of the Sherburne firefighters broke down the back basement door, and with their flashlights were able to locate her, crying in her playpen.”
“They carried her to me, she was alive and well, it was a miracle. Later that day, one of the two firefighters that got her out ended up adopting her. He named her Smokey and she is a common visitor at the Sherburne Fire Department.”
She said as a result of the fire her home was completely demolished.
“My sister is a first responder, and she gave me the idea of thanking the fire departments with providing the oxygen masks kits as a thank you for the volunteers who leave work and put their life on the line to help others,” she added. “The kits are about $110 each, but I believe they will save at least one animal in the future, and that is worth way more.”
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