The donated masks are from the family of "Duffy," a pet therapy dog who died in a house fire earlier this year.

The masks are designed to administer oxygen to pets that have been overcome from smoke or fumes.

The fire department says that pets instinctively look for a place to hide in a fire rather than trying to get outside.

"We are in there we want to be able to provide support, and to have all the tools to be able to do that really means a lot to these guys," said Edward Kuppinger, Rochester Fire Department.

"Losing a pet and especially losing a therapy animal is like losing a part of yourself. That was the most painful thing about the whole fire, we lost everything but we are not going to be able to get Duffy back. So maybe, just maybe somebody else's dog will be saved," said Nancy Owens, whose family donated the masks.

Battalion chiefs and and the fire safety officer will carry the kits to fires if and when the need arises to assist a pet. Each kit costs $75.