If you did, it's likely firefighters were there at the pointy end of the rescue.

They might be the first people we call when a fire breaks out, but each year firefighters are called to thousands of animal rescues.

From ducklings down a drainpipe to cows and horses stuck down a well or bogged in a dam, they really do help all creatures great and small.

Cats are the most common animal that need rescuing, they're inquisitive and like to explore. They get stuck in tight spaces, between walls, in tiny roof spaces and even in the engine bay of vehicles where it's nice and warm.

Firefighters recently had to cut a hole through the wall in a home to rescue a cat that got stuck between two walls.

The humble family pooch also loves to explore.

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"Dogs get their heads caught in buckets and screen doors. If there's a hole they can get stuck in it," Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry said.

It's not only pet rescues that firies attend, they get called to bats and birds in trees that are caught, and often have wire or fishing line wrapped around their wings and feet.

"Magpies are very creative, when they make their nests they pick up all sorts of materials," Supt Dewberry said.

Sometimes rescues are complicated and require specialist heavy-lifting machinery, such as stock truck rollovers.

Often there's dead and dying animals, others are in distress and they lay trapped beside those that died.

"I've been to a couple of them and they're very traumatic," Supt Dewberry said.

"It's very complicated and it's a long duration and it's very messy. They're not only an animal, they're also an asset [to farmers]."

During 2021-22 Fire and Rescue NSW were called to 1962 animal rescues, the year before 2007 animals were in need of being rescued.

"Our equipment, skills and training does put us in a really good position, to not only help protect people and property, but also animals," Supt Dewberry said.

Every rescue - whether it's animals or people - gives firefighters a chance to hone their skills, Supt Dewberry said.

"Any skills we use to save and protect an animal helps us to maintain our skills to save and protect a person," he said.