A RESUSCITATOR which will help save the lives of animals rescued from smoke-filled buildings has been donated to Malton fire station.

Members of K9 Aspects Dog Agility Club, who train at Happy Paws Kennels, West Knapton, have raised the funds to provide the station with specially-designed resuscitators for pets.

The club wanted to support a new national initiative by the charity Smokey Paws which aims to provide all fire stations in the country with pet resuscitators.

Malton fire station is the first in the area to be given the new life-saving kit and the club is now hoping to raise more money to provide further resuscitators for other fire crews in the area.

Lynn Carberry, from Smokey Paws, said: "The fire service try their hardest to revive pets using human oxygen masks, but these masks are designed for the use on humans and not animals.

"The pet oxygen masks are specially for dogs, cats and smaller animals like rabbits, snakes and mice and therefore are more efficient than trying to use human masks.

“Having seen the overwhelming success and so many pets saved by using these masks in the USA, we started Smokey Paws here in the UK as a not for profit organisation, our mission is simple, to give these masks to the UK fire service and supply support and replacements free of charge when needed.

“We raise the money for the masks via donations and companies sponsoring these lifesaving pet oxygen masks, everyone can become involved, we need more donations, company sponsorships, schools to arrange fundraises and shops to take donation boxes.

"So many companies nowadays nominate to help a charitable cause each year, we urge people to talk to their employer and nominate Smokey Paws."

Rosie Stephenson, from Happy Paws Kennels, said: "It's brilliant that the agility club members have raised the funds for such a vital piece of equipment while having fun with their own dogs.

"It's been a real team effort and the equipment will be invaluable to the Malton fire brigade in any future situations involving our four-legged friends."

Mark Upton, station manager at Malton Fire Station, said having a resuscitator to use on animals was a great idea.

"People care about their pets and if they are unfortunate to be involved in a fire this is a great asset for us to have," he said.

Anyone who would like to donate to the charity, or would like more information, should go to smokeypaws.co.uk