That program has been so high in demand that it’s recently grown to include hospitalized adults recovering from hip or knee replacements who can’t walk their dogs for six months.
In 2013, PACT started working with children’s hospitals around Pennsylvania and now has expanded services to Arizona and Washington to match foster homes with pets belonging to kids suffering from serious illnesses like cancer and heart problems.
This year, Linda hopes to find the right volunteer trainer, so she can restart her Warriors’ Angels program, which trains service dogs to help soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
“Families fall apart during deployment,” says Alisa Johnson, who founded Dogs on Deployment, a nonprofit that pairs service members’ pets with foster families. She felt the need after she was sent to Marine Corps training while her husband was deployed with the Navy simultaneously, without anyone to watch their Australian Shepherd for the six months they’d be away.
Matches are made depending on household activity levels, other pets and travel schedules. The military member sets up automatic shipping for pet food and any other needs, and puts a credit card on file with his or her veterinarian — eliminating all costs for the foster family.
Pet Size Small (under 20lbs) Medium (21-45lbs) Large (46-65 lbs) Extra Large (Greater than 66 lbs)
Boarding length needed Less Than 1 Month 1-3 Months 4-6 Months 7-12 Months Greater Than 12 Months
Boarding length available Less Than 1 Month 1-3 Months 4-6 Months 7-12 Months Greater Than 12 Months
Only show me DoD Boarders that Do not have dogs in the household Do not have cats in the household Do not have children under 5 in the household Do not have breed bans Accepts unaltered pets Accepts special needs pets
Can take pets weighing Small (under 20lbs) Medium (21-45lbs) Large (46-65 lbs) Extra Large (Greater than 66 lbs) down-arrow trash-bin home-icon-silhouette remove-button facebook twitter instagram youtube road-sign download grid down call fax trash-bin settings user email pawprint list
American Humane is one of the biggest and most widespread animal advocacy groups in the world. And the information they provide on Fostering Military Pets is just one of several military initiatives they run. They don’t run their own in-house fostering program, but they offer up great advice and pointers on how to do it and do it right. Their military pet initiatives and programs date back to the First World War. And in the hundred-years-plus since then, they’ve done plenty for military families and their dogs.
It’s always heartbreaking when you have to leave your loved ones behind due to the needs of the service. Whether you’re off in the field for a month, spending a few weeks at a training course, or deploying to the other side of the world, it’s tough. Fuzzy ones included. But that pain can be eased by knowing your dog will be cared for by dedicated animal lovers.
Founded by a dual-military husband and wife, Dogs on Deployment is run by folks who know firsthand the difficulty of leaving a pet behind when the military sends you away. A foster and military pet advocacy program set up along similar lines to PACT, this organization’s primary mission is pairing vetted volunteers with military pets who need fostering while their service members are away from home. They also provide education services, promote pet health, and do their best to provide financial support for families experiencing pet-related emergencies. And don’t let the name fool you, they cater to cats and canines alike.
Of course, if you have a spouse, friends, or other family members willing and able to care for your pup while you’re gone, then this may be the best option for you. But for those who require or prefer a company with a structured program to foster your pet while you’re deployed, we’ve compiled 4 of the best options who can help you.
The military community is made up of all kinds of people. Plus a fair amount of animals. If you’re reading this, chances are your military family includes a dog or two. From big woofers to little yippers, the canines of military families are always there when their humans need a fuzzy cuddle, a good excuse for a walk, or just a whole lot of unconditional affection. While there’s certainly no downside to owning a dog, doing so while in the military comes with a particular challenge: what to do with a dog when you’re deployed? Luckily, there are some great options and programs out there that foster military dogs during deployment.
You can board a pet for an active duty service member through Dogs on Deployment
Deployments suck for everyone in the family. There are countless resources out there to help military dependents, but not too many troops know what to do with their beloved pets. Our pets are just a much a part of our family as anyone else and deployments can be just as rough on them as they are on people.
The hardest part is that there’s no way to sit down with your pet and explain to them that you’re going away. One day you’re giving them plenty of love and the next you’re gone for a while.
If you have a pet and are about to deploy, there are several things you need to do to make sure they’re given the best care until you can come home to make one of those adorable reunion videos. I’m not crying. Just someone cutting onions, I swear.
The best thing you can do is to keep their routine as unchanged as possible. Keep them with people you know will love them as much as you and, if you can, keep them in the same place that they’re used to. In their furry minds, they don’t really grasp the concept of time so it’s just like you’re taking a really long time coming home.
It won’t hurt to give them all of the loving they’ll be missing out on in one day. (Meme via Pop Smoke)
Not everyone you know is willing to take in your buddy at a moment’s notice. Thankfully, there are many great organizations that can assist you if you can’t find boarding for your pet. Dogs on Deployment and Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet are two fantastic organizations that will foster your pets with loving homes.
Both groups provide free boarding for your pet until you come home. They work by connecting troops with boarders in their area who will give them plenty of love.
(By the way, if you’re just reading this because you love animals, these pets need foster homes and they’d love to let you help.)
What better way can you think of to support the troops than by literally taking care of their puppy for them? (photo by Senior Airman Keenan Berry)
While you’re deployed, you can still send your pet some love. They won’t recognize a chew toy you ordered on-line as being a gift from you but they will immediately recognize your scent if you send back home a blanket you’ve been sleeping with. Most pets are intelligent enough to recognize your face and voice over a video call, but it’s not the same.
They can’t really count down but they’re definitely ready for you to come back. (Photo by Sgt. Valerie Eppler)
When the time finally comes for you to reunite with your fur-baby, don’t freak out if they freak out. They’ll be jumping with joy and probably knock something over with their tail in excitement. It kind of goes without saying but you should give them the same amount of love that they’re giving you.