A local business that helps people recover from disasters is helping Windsor-Essex residents keep their furry friends safe.
Parker DKI, which specializes in clean-up and restoration for homes and businesses affected by fire, flooding, storm damage, and other calamities is teaming up with the Windsor-Essex County Humane Society, along with Tecumseh Fire and Rescue, for a home decal campaign designed to warn first responders if a pet is in the home.
The decals are placed inside a front window of a home or on the front door of an apartment or condo. In the event of a fire, the decal informs firefighters that there are animals inside, along with how many.
Melanie Coulter, executive director of the humane society, said just like humans, pets need to stay safe.
"It's really important that emergency responders know that there are pets in the home," said Coulter. "That's why we're partnering with Parker DKI to make these decals available that will ensure that emergency responders know that there are pets inside the home."
Parker DKI has donated the costs of printing the decals and company president Jim Parker said, in addition to having the decal, it doesn't hurt to be prepared in other ways for an emergency.
"The main thing is to have a safety plan that includes your pets," said Parker. "Your pets are an extension of your family."
Bob Hamilton, chief fire prevention officer with Tecumseh Fire, said when a fire breaks out, cats have a tendency to go into fight-or-flight mode and seek refuge from smoke and flames.
"Usually dogs are going to follow the rest of the family, they're a little more in tune to that," said Hamilton. "But mostly cats hide there. They're usually pretty smart, they get low in the smoke, which is what we practice in our fire safety plans."
The decals were designed by Charit-ees, a project of the Downtown Mission. They are available free of charge at the humane society on Provincial Road, Parker DKI on Jefferson Boulevard off Queen Elizabeth Drive, and Tecumseh Fire and Rescue on Lesperance Road.
Jim Parker, left, of Parker DKI and Tecumseh Fire Chief Prevention Officer Bob Hamilton with furry friends at the Windsor-Essex County Humane Society, Windsor, July 16, 2019. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.