Santa Monica Fire Department Receives PETA Award for Rescuing Dog From Fire

Firefighters Used Special Oxygen Mask to Revive Unconscious Canine

For Immediate Release:
September 17, 2013

Contact:
Sophia Charchuk 202-483-7382

Santa Monica, Calif. — On Saturday, members of the Santa Monica Fire Department responding to a blaze in an apartment building at the corner of Second and Hill streets found an unconscious dog who had hidden behind a mattress in one of the apartments. The firefighters rushed the dog, named Stella, from the burning building and immediately began to revive her using an oxygen mask specially designed for dogs and cats. Stella soon regained consciousness and was taken to an animal hospital.

For the firefighters’ heroic efforts to save Stella, the Santa Monica Fire Department will receive PETA’s Compassionate Fire Department Award.

“Santa Monica’s firefighters are truly heroes because they don’t consider their job done until all residents—both human and nonhuman—have made it to safety,” says PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. “PETA hopes the compassion and know-how shown by these firefighters will inspire others always to come to the aid of animals in need.”

PETA encourages all animal guardians to place a sign on doors or windows to alert rescue workers to the presence of dogs and cats. Families can order stickers from the PETA Catalog or make their own at home.

The Santa Monica Fire Department will receive a framed certificate, a letter of appreciation, and a box of delicious vegan chocolates from PETA.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.