Whether you believe in global warming or not, there’s no denying that the frequency and severity of wildfires have been increasing in recent years, and along with it, the number of lives lost. Often overlooked is the number of pets that are lost when such a disaster strikes. Each year, over 40,000 pets lose their lives in house fires, with their instinct to hide in the face of danger often leading to their demise.
Cats and dogs can be difficult to find in the smoke and confusion of a raging fire, and are often more inclined to hide from their rescuers rather than seek them out. In 2023, twin brothers Ryan and Rusty Tussing decided to do something to help improve the chances of pets surviving a house fire. As a fire captain with years of experience, Ryan knows only too well the heartbreak of delivering tragic news to devastated pet owners, so together with his brother Rusty, an entrepreneur and animal welfare advocate, they founded Rescue Retriever. Their debut smoke detection device was designed to alert rescue personnel to the presence and likely location of pets in the event of a fire, significantly improving the chances that a pet will be found.
This year, the brothers have taken things an important step further with the introduction of the FireTag.
“We launched Rescue Retriever in 2023 and have successfully protected thousands of families’ pets,” said CEO Rusty Tussing. “But for us, it’s not enough. We wanted to improve the speed and accuracy with which firefighters on the ground are able to locate and rescue every pet. FireTag is our solution.”
FireTag is a lightweight, low-profile design compatible with most standard pet collars. The waterproof, chew-resistant, and durable construction makes it sustainable for everyday wear. In the event of a fire, the wireless activation is triggered by the Rescue Retriever, making a high-intensity strobe visible through dense smoke, increasing visibility on the exact location of your pet during rescue operations. It also features an optional GPS slot compatible with Apple AirTag or Android trackers. No apps, WiFi, or regular charging required – always ready for emergencies.
This device can not only increase your beloved pets’ chances of surviving the devastation of a house fire, but it also reduces search times for those risking their lives to save them.
The new Fire Tag will be available to buy from the website within the next few weeks, with delivery expected in early November. The Rescue Retriever Fire Safety Kit is priced at around $110, which we think is pretty good for something that could save pets’ lives. The kit includes a Rescue Retriever Gen 2 Smoke Detector, 1 FireTag & 1 Reflective Pet Total Sticker.
Each base unit can pair with an unlimited number of tags, which can be purchased separately for around $30, making it affordable for multi-pet households. Tags need to be replaced annually, but the base unit only needs to be replaced every 5 years.
For more information on Rescue Retriever and their award-winning pet safety solutions, visit RescueRetriever.com or check them out on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for updates.
And most importantly, stay safe.