Florida Firefighters Have Started Carrying Oxygen Masks For Cats, Dogs And Hamsters

March 4, 2004 -- Florida firefighters have started carrying oxygen masks for cats, dogs - and even hamsters - to help save pets suffering from smoke inhalation.

Members of the Seminole County Fire Department got the idea after watching TV footage of efforts to revive a dog.

Fire Lt. John Rogers said, "Because they are small, smoke affects [animals] worse and quicker than it does a human."