Costa Mesa couple donates 15 animal oxygen masks

Costa Mesa has received an anonymous donation of 15 animal oxygen masks.

A Costa Mesa couple contacted Lynda Jenkins, city grant administrator, to make a donation “in memory of Naz, a very special cat.”

The masks, which normally come in three sizes for animals, ranging from small cats to large dogs, will be kept in nine of the city’s fire engines, three animal control vehicles and three police K-9 units, authorities said. The donation has been valued at roughly $1,000.

“I didn’t know what they look like until they arrived,” Jenkins said. “It’s pretty unusual and really a welcome surprise.”

They are only intended for use during emergency calls, when animals are trapped in a structure, fire authorities said.

— Kelly Strodl