Pet Food Express stores throughout California, including 35 in the Bay Area, will be raising money this weekend to provide pet oxygen mask kits to first responders.
The Cover Your K9 pet wash fundraiser will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday at all 62 of the company's stores. K9 emergency response teams will be on hand at all stores.
At the Rockridge store at 5108 Broadway in Oakland, Federal Emergency Management Agency veterinarian Erin Troy will demonstrate the oxygen masks and discuss their importance for pets and other small animals during fires and other natural disasters.
Participants will also have an opportunity to sign petitions in support of Senate Bill 1305, a bill authored by state Sen. Steve Glazer, D-Orinda, that would authorize emergency medical services providers to provide basic first aid to dogs and cats.
Current state law makes it unlawful to administer such aid with out a veterinary license.
