IRONTON, Ohio (WSAZ) -- While oxygen masks often are used to save the lives of people caught in fires, they can save the life of your pet, too.

Nearly 40,000 pets die each year in house fires.

Several firefighters in Ironton are hoping they can put a dent in that number with a new donation.

Ironton firefighters say in almost every fire they respond to, there's an animal in the house.

Pet oxygen masks are a tool specially designed to save the lives of cats and dogs.

Thanks to an animal lover and the daughter of a retired firefighter, the Ironton Fire Department now has two sets. The pet friendly resuscitation devices are kept on the trucks, and firefighters are being trained to use them.

Just last week, firefighters in Cleveland put similar masks to the test and saved the lives of a litter of 9-day-old puppies and their mother.

The masks come in three different sizes, so they can fit any size cat or dog. Several other fire departments, including stations in Ashland, Huntington and Barboursville, also use the pet oxygen masks.