Recently, the Golden Valley Fire Department (GVFD) extended a helping paw to The Wildcat Sanctuary in Sandstone, Minnesota by donating 1,000 feet of retired and defective fire hoses. These hoses found new life as enriching toys and hammocks for the sanctuary’s feline residents.
The sanctuary, home to wild cats of all different shapes, sizes, and species rescued from a variety of circumstances, relies on donations like the hoses to provide essential care, food, habitat, maintenance, and veterinary attention to its animals.
Regular testing of fire hoses is crucial to ensure their longevity and safety, says Assistant Fire Chief Dom Guzman, and leaks, ruptures, or non-compliance with safety standards can lead to hose failures.
"Hoses typically get cycled out after 10 years,” explains Guzman. “Normally these hoses get trashed, but through repurposing them as hammocks or toys, the cats and the planet both receive benefit.”
To watch this story in action, check out the video CCX Media recently posted highlighting this story.
To learn more about the Wildcat Sanctuary, visit their website.
Learn more about the GVFD on the City website.