FIREFIGHTERS IN THE UK have started using oxygen masks that are specially designed for cats and dogs.

However, a spokesperson for Dublin Fire Brigade says it is not currently considering this.

Last year a tabby cat called Harriet was rescued by Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service in England.

It’s believed that the cat started the fire by turning on a hot plate as she slid off a pile of ironing on the cooker.

She then fled upstairs where her owner couldn’t retrieve her because of heavy smoke. Shropshire Fire Service said the incident last September was the first time the specially designed oxygen mask had been used to save a pet in England.

A not-for-profit organisation Smokey Paws designs the mini masks and has started providing them to stations in England and Scotland.

Lerwick Fire Station in Shetland was the first station in Scotland to use the masks, which are also being provided to Scalloway Fire Station and Brae and Bixter.

Smokey Paws was set up by Lynn Carberry and Brian Lockyer after they discussed how they would get their own dog out in a house fire and discovered there were pet life saving masks in America, but not in the UK.

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Each set of masks cost £90 (€100) and includes three different kinds of masks which “fit animals of all sizes from horses to mice”, according to the charity.

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Smokey Paws Founder Brian Lockyer says, “Specially designed pet oxygen masks are more effective on pets than the human masks often used to try to revive pets by first responders.

“By providing one special animal oxygen kit for each fire engine in the country as well as providing them to sanctuaries and shelters, we hope to enable first responders to save even more animals lives.”

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