WHAT: The Houston Fire Department will accept 25 sets of special dog & cat oxygen masks for pets to be placed on fire apparatus. The masks are being donated by Best Friends Pet Care. The event will kick-off a city-wide campaign to outfit all Houston fire stations with the masks.

WHEN: April 27, 2006 at 11 a.m.

WHERE: Fire Station 2
5880 Woodway (off Bering)

DETAILS: Pets are rescue by firefighters throughout the year and these special mask designed specially for cats and dogs will help firefighters revive these beloved animals. A demonstration will be given by the best Friends Pet Care.

Best Friends , a national chain of boarding kennels, launched the “Cause for Paws” campaign last year to equip fire departments in its service areas with the specially-designed pet masks. Best Friends matches community contributions for the purchase of masks on a sliding scale depending upon the town's proximity to the Best Friends location. To date, more than 2,000 sets of masks have been donated to 400 fire departments in 19 states.

For additional information about the Best Friends "Cause for Paws," please contact:

Debra Bennetts, 203-846-4660 or Barbara Bangser, 203-438-5090 at Best Friends – Corporate

Stephanie Ellis at Best Friends Houston, 713-664-7111

Captain Beda Kent, 713-495-7905 - Houston Fire Department