Rescue Retriever Wins Prestigious Award for Pet Safety
In a significant development for pet safety, Rescue Retriever has been honored with the
2025 Pet Care Safety Solution of the Year Award by the Pet Innovation Awards. This award recognizes innovative solutions in the pet care industry, and Rescue Retriever's flagship product—a unique smoke detector for pets—stands out as a breakthrough technology engineered for emergencies.
The impetus for creating the Rescue Retriever device came from a tragic experience faced by co-founders Ryan and Rusty Tussing. After losing a Great Dane in a house fire, they were determined to find a method to prevent such heart-wrenching losses in the future. Their personal experience drove them to develop a safety device tailored specifically to improve the chances of pets surviving fires.
The Rescue Retriever device is specially designed to be installed in locations where pets often hide during distressing situations, like crates or bedrooms. What sets this device apart is its innovative feature of a powerful silent strobing light that activates upon detecting smoke—allowing firefighters to locate pets who might otherwise remain trapped in the chaos of a fire. Along with the detector, a reflective decal is placed on windows or doors to inform rescue teams of the presence of pets, providing vital information at a glance.
“Every second counts when it comes to saving lives, especially for pets who cannot call out for help. Our primary goal was to eliminate the element of uncertainty for firefighters and aid them in their rescue efforts,” said Ryan Tussing, who also serves as a seasoned fire captain.
In a competitive field featuring thousands of global nominations, Rescue Retriever’s innovation was recognized alongside notable previous winners such as Banfield Pet Hospital and Hill’s Pet Nutrition, reinforcing its status as a transformative solution in the pet care market. The Pet Innovation Awards celebrate the creativity and dedication of products that push the boundaries of what is possible in pet safety and care.
Rusty Tussing, the CEO of Rescue Retriever, expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the importance of awareness about pet safety in emergencies. “This award is a testament to the dedication we have towards improving the lives of pets and ensuring they receive the same emergency preparedness that we provide our human family members,” he stated.
With more than
40,000 pets lost in fires each year, the need for comprehensive safety solutions in homes is greater than ever. The Rescue Retriever device not only addresses this need but also provides peace of mind for pet owners who fear the worst during unforeseen emergencies.
Rescue Retriever continues to explore ways to enhance pet safety with the backing of firefighting expertise and a commitment to innovation. Interested individuals can learn more about this award-winning solution by visiting
RescueRetriever.com and joining their community on various social media platforms.
As the landscape of pet care evolves, tools like the Rescue Retriever are crucial in advancing safety measures that can save lives. This not only reflects the growing awareness of pet safety in emergencies but also highlights the importance of innovation in tackling longstanding challenges faced by pet owners around the world.