Thomas County residents love their pets, and many households have multiple four-legged family members living with them under one roof. Dogs, cats, ferrets and birds enjoy the security, love and care they receive from their two-legged friends for years, until a disastrous fire strikes.
Thomas County Emergency Services will rush into a house engulfed in flames to rescue humans and pets. But what of the pets that are instinctively hiding under beds or closets in fear of flames and smoke? Precious time is spent searching for the family dog or cat that is hiding, and while eventually rescued, many are pulled out of a burning house in a semi-conscious or unconscious state from smoke inhalation.
Red Road Rescue, Inc., a non-profit organization in the county, recognized the need to provide the county Emergency Services with a means of helping firefighters revive rescued pets.