Snout Support
Calling All Snout Supporters
Pet oxygen kits save lives. We believe this equipment should be standard on every fire truck in every city. After all, when firefighters respond to a blaze, they often find pets in the structure and save fur babies right alongside their people.
On the night of Aug. 6, 2019, firefighters responded to a call at Falconbridge Animal Hospital. Along with many other boarding fur babies, a 4-year-old Greyhound named Derby had been rescued from the burning building and was suffering smoke inhalation. His oxygen level was dangerously low.
Because DFD trucks were outfitted with pet oxygen kits, Derby got life-saving oxygen immediately.
A Tale of Survival
Derby’s mom’s phone rang at midnight. Her fur baby was being rushed by ambulance to an emergency facility. Derby would spend several days at Veterinary Specialty Hospital getting intense medical care to stabilize his oxygen level, plus bath after bath to cleanse his skin of smoke.
Several first responders told Derby’s mom, Tracy, that without pet oxygen kits, survival outcomes for the Falconbridge dogs would have been very different. Firefighter Emily Hannigan, who was at the scene, told WRAL news just how critical the kits were in saving these fur babies.
In fact, every dog rescued from Falconbridge that night survived because first responders had pet oxygen kits—the very same ones donated the year before by Eno Animal Hospital.
Our Cause: Help First Responders Save Animals
Dr. Sabrina Grinstead, our owner and fearless leader, has long had friends in the local fire department. When she asked what she could do to help, they told her about the shortage of equipment for pets on local fire trucks.
She knew immediately what she wanted to do. In 2018, Eno Animal Hospital started raising money by reaching out to the amazing Eno family and then matching all donations dollar for dollar.
In May 2019, Dr. Grinstead proudly presented Chief Bob Zoldas and members of the Durham Fire Department, including Captain Tina and Jethro, with 14 pet oxygen kits. Watch the donation ceremony on WRAL.
Those kits were on the fire trucks screaming toward Falconbridge Animal Hospital that scary summer night—ready for Derby. Watch the story on CBS17 news.
Within a week, Derby got to go home to his mama. Ten days after the ordeal, Tracy called us to say “thank you, thank you, thank you” for the donation. A trained paramedic, she is sure the kit helped save Derby’s life.
“I feel very grateful and blessed,” Tracy said. “My precious cargo is home with me. Immediate oxygen made a huge difference. I’m just so grateful y’all stepped up.”
How Many More Pets Can We Save?
After the Falconbridge fire, we kept raising money and matching funds. To date, we’ve donated 25 pet oxygen kits to Bull City and surrounding communities…
Durham, 14
Bahama, three
Stem, three
Creedmoor, two
Lebanon, two
Redwood, one
Introducing Snout Support
We recently learned the DFD needs our help again: to re-outfit every truck with a brand- new kit. In April 2024 we officially named our cause “Snout Support” and are kicking off fundraising again!
Each pet oxygen kit contains three resuscitation bags and three masks designed specifically for dogs and cats of different sizes. The equipment is reusable and easy to clean.
Our 2024 Snout Support fundraising goal: $2,000
Being a positive force in our community is important to us. If you’d like to contribute or learn more, call our team at (919) 471-0308.
We’ll fundraise for Snout Support until we hit our $2,000 goal. And we hope, with your support, that will be soon! When we ask you to donate $1 at your visit, please say yes. And be on the lookout for more Snout Support info.
We welcome any and all contributions because every little bit helps. Welcome Snout Supporters!
