THOMASVILLE  — Thomasville Fire/Rescue recently received donations donors and firefighters hope are never used.

Thomasville residents Zach and Stacy Wheeler donated a dozen kits containing animal oxygen masks to be used if an animal is rescued from a fire.

The donations include a kit for each rescue truck.

“There are three sizes in each kit,” Zach Wheeler said.

The Wheelers heard about a similar donation in Valdosta and wanted to do the same for Thomasville Fire/Rescue.

People love their animals, the couple said, and the masks are a way to help them survive in a time of dire need.

“It’s a great asset to the community,” Tim Connell, fire/rescue fire marshal, said.

Animals are not often rescued from fires, Connell said, but the masks could have been used in a late 2017 house fire in which a number of cats perished.

“It’s a great thing. It really is,” Connell said, in reference to the masks.

Masks were donated to fire/rescue years ago, but they deteriorated over time.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820