'Save our pets too' sticker for Brussels firefighters

A new sticker aims to make it easier for firefighters to rescue pets when they are called out to Brussels homes.

Pet-owners can place the free sticker in their front window to alert the fire brigade to the presence of animals in the house.

The sticker reads: "Firefighters, save our animals too" followed by checkboxes for cat, dog, bird or other.

Brussels secretary of state for animal welfare Bianca Debaets said: "When there is a fire, firefighters often do not know if animals are present. It's important that they are rescued - they are very important to their owners, especially people who live on their own or are elderly."

A spokesman for the Brussels fire department said knowing in advance that an animal is in the house can also make firefighters' jobs safer - especially the presence dogs which might try to prevent them entering.

Some 20,000 stickers have been printed, in French and Dutch. They can be picked up from the Brussels Environment headquarters at Tour & Taxis and will soon be available in the 19 town halls.