By Jennifer Finkle

Did you know that each year more than 40,000 pets die in house fires from smoke asphyxiation? Many of those pets could have been saved if fire departments were equipped with special Pet Oxygen Masks. Since fire departments are generally not permitted to use taxpayer dollars to purchase equipment that is not for humans, the local departments do not have them.

The Andes Central School CROP students are trying to raise funds to purchase Wag’N 02 Fur Life Kits for as many fire departments in our area as possible. The O’Connor Foundation will match our donation total up to $500. If you would like to support the CROP students in their effort to serve their community, please consider sending a donation to the school. We will collect donations through the end of January. Please make checks payable to Andes Central School. In the memo section please write Pet 02 Masks. Thank you for your support, and remember the pet’s life you save could be your own.  ~