So you received your military deployment orders and do not know what to do with your dog or cat.
At Pets for Patriots, we get calls every week from service members who are distraught at the prospect of parting with their beloved animals.
And we get numerous requests through social media to help pets whose guardians surrendered them to shelters because they were not aware that there are other options.
Fortunately there are alternatives to relinquishing your four-legged family member.
Friends and family are often not the best choice
Deploying service members often turn to a loved one, parent or friend, particularly if they do not have a live-in partner or spouse.
People closest to a service member might feel compelled to help in the case of military deployment without giving enough thought to the responsibilities associated with caring for someone else’s pet.
It is hard to believe, but some friends and family sell, give away, or surrender a pet entrusted to their care without the knowledge or consent of the deployed service member.
If you think this situation is unlikely, consider the case of a Navy petter officer whose dog was surrendered to an animal shelter by a cousin entrusted to protect him. The dog was subsequently killed due to lack of anyone to adopt him.
Everyone thinks family or friends would never do such a thing, yet these situations happen every day.
Other people may have a legitimate reason why they can no longer care for your pet (loss of job/home), while others simply are not the people you thought them to be. Do not take that chance with your pet’s life.
There are several important questions to ask yourself before you leave your pet with a friend or family member.
Can this person manage my pet’s physical needs?
This is especially important if you have a large or high-energy pet and the potential caregiver is a senior, has physical limitations, or is otherwise unable to provide the level of activity your pet requires.
Occasionally we get calls from elderly parents who are unable to care for their child’s pet and feel they have no choice but to surrender her to the shelter.
In these situations, nobody wins – particularly the pet.
Does this person have a good relationship with my pet?
When you are faced with military deployment, never leave your pet with someone she does not know and who does not know her.
Doing so risks stressing your pet and his temporary guardian. And it increases the likelihood that the person to whom you entrusted your four-legged best friend may not feel obligated to provide the best care.
Often we are contacted when a casual friend has been entrusted with a service member’s pet, and in turn surrenders the pet or gives him away.
Can I provide all necessary resources to ensure my pet’s health?
Be sure to hand over all veterinary contact information to your pet’s temporary guardian. Let your veterinarian know who will be responsible for your dog or cat while you are on military deployment.
Consider an emergency checklist, like this one recommended by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Discuss with your pet’s caregiver any medication or special treatment he needs and make sure this person is capable of following through.
And you must make arrangements to pay for food, supplies, grooming, veterinary care, and emergencies. Your pet is still your legal and financial responsibility.
Is this person able to maintain my pet’s daily routine?
It is critical to minimize disruptions to your pet’s regular schedule. It is already stressful to him that his guardian will be away for an extended period on military deployment.
Discuss your dog’s or cat’s daily schedule – feeding, exercise, play and sleep times. Pets like routine, and will experience some degree of stress as a result of your absence.
It is important to maintain as much normalcy in their lives as possible. Do not leave your pet with someone who cannot maintain her routine, within reason.
Does this person live in an area or residence with breed bans?
Sadly, many communities and residences enforce Breed Specific Legislation that ban ownership of a range of dog breeds they deem to be dangerous.
This can include Bully-type breeds (aka Pit Bulls), Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Akitas, Huskies, Dobermans, and many other types of dogs.
Check the laws where your pet will be temporarily homed to ensure compliance with any such restrictions.
Is this person willing to enter into a legal foster agreement?
Your pet is your family. If you would not leave your human child with someone without a legally binding agreement you should not leave your dog or cat without one, either.
A legal agreement may not prevent someone with bad intentions from acting against your pet’s interests. But it should give you recourse if you pursue legal action if the person fostering your pet violates the agreement.
The Humane Society of the United States offers a sample foster agreement. However, always consult with your attorney since laws vary by state and your individual circumstances.
Pet fostering for veterans facing military deployment or hardship
If you do not know someone who can care for your four-legged friend responsibly, consider a professional foster organization.
Pet fostering is a rapidly growing industry that provides short- and long-term care to pets of individuals who are in the military, are hospitalized, displaced due to disaster, or facing unforeseen homelessness.
The animal is typically fostered within a private home and some states require that foster homes be licensed. In all cases, the service member remains financially responsible for their pet’s food, supplies, medical care, and other routine needs.
Pets for Patriots works with two nationally operating organizations, listed below. Both are nonprofit organizations like ours.
Dogs On Deployment
Dogs On Deployment helps service members facing military deployment, hardship, or medical emergencies find qualified foster homes for their pets.
We partner with Dogs On Deployment by referring to them veterans who need short- or long-term pet foster care. In turn, they refer veterans to us who are looking to adopt companion pets.
In addition to pet fostering, Dogs On Deployment maintains a Pet Chit program to grant funds for emergency medical care for veterans’ pets.
Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet
Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet is another qualified military pet foster organization.
Like Dogs On Deployment, Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet relies on a network of volunteer foster homes to match pets with an appropriate caregiver.
Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet maintains a Military Pet Assistance fund to help with a range of pet medical and/or boarding needs for deployed personnel, homeless veterans, or those facing short-term hospitalization.
Have a plan for military deployment or hardship
With a little planning you can ensure responsible care for your pet during your absence.
Once you surrender your dog or cat to a shelter or rescue, you are no longer that animal’s legal guardian. Military pet foster organizations are therefore unable to assist because the pet is now legally owned by the shelter.
There is no reason that dogs and cats should be relinquished to shelters when there are professional foster organizations with proven track records to help.
Have a plan; your pet deserves it.
Hi Connie,
As noted in the article in which you left a comment, please have your son contact Dogs On Deployment or Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet to arrange a foster for his dog: https://www.petsforpatriots.org/military-deployment-and-your-pets/
Pets for Patriots
My son is being deployed and he has a 6 months german shepard who is very high spirted i have a dog already they are too much together is there someway to get him fostered
This site is perfect for all the pet animals. I have bookmarked it, so i can easily refer this website to my friends who have dogs or cats.
Thanks
Hi Julie,
We’re sorry to hear that your friend isn’t able to keep the obligation to care for your dog; this is one of many reasons we urge service members to use professional deployment boarding organizations.
Please contact Dogs On Deployment to see if an emergency foster can be arranged: https://www.dogsondeployment.org/ – and best of luck finding a responsible boarder for your pup.
Pets for Patriots
Hi, my husband is deployed and I moved to another state. And we had our friend taking care of our dog. They said they could the whole nine months and now they can’t. I am not close to be able to make other arrangements and I am desperate.
Breanna, please contact the organizations listed in our post to arrange responsible care for your cats.
I’m joining the military and have 2 cats, im looking to leave for basic training, and tech school in March or april. I’m looking for someone to watch them during the time I’m gone.
My wife and I will be living out of the country for 3-4 years. Rather than fostering i would prefer my pets to finf a new forever home. does anyone know any links or organization near Quantico for such things? Thank you in advance.
I’m thinking about joining the Army Reserve… do you take care of pets during basic training and ait?
I have a family member who is going to basic training in the Coast Guard October 25th and is looking for a temporary home for her dog until she gets stationed and can get off base living where she can have her dog back. Her partner will be arranging the living as soon as they find out where she’ll be stationed and able to care for the dog after that, but current living situations don’t allow her to keep the dog while she’s at basic. Do you have any good recommendations for short term fostering in California or Texas?
PLEASE READ!!!!
Hello my friend, I need help!!! My family and I are moving. My husband and I will be living separately for close to 1.5yr due to his upcoming deployment. In this time I unfortunately can NOT bring my cats because of allergies on part of the owner of where the children and I will be residing. I am in desperate need of someone willing to be a foster parent to my babies until he is back and I can get the babies back. We don’t anticipate the time to be that long but I am saying it just as a worst case scenario. I am coming to you guys as a last resort. I have asked many close friends and family for help, unfortunately I have found no one. I am able to cover the expensive a for the cats, food/litter/vet anything!!! I will also bring them to you. So no need to worry about that. Please if you can not help, maybe ask someone?? I am so upset at the fact of losing them and I can’t imagine having to bring them to a shelter where they will most likely be euthanized because most people won’t adopt an older cat, they turn two in July. I want them to be together as well. I feel terrible as it is.. If anyone can help me please call/text/inbox me. Thank you for reading this long post. Xo much love, Jaime
Hello! This inquiry is not necessarily related to pets of service members but I think you might be able to offer us some guidance and/or resources? I belong to Southwest Canine Corps of Volunteers, a dog therapy organization serving the Albuquerque, NM area. A nurse at a local hospital we serve is compiling a list of resources for patients who might be hospitalized, without friends or relatives available to care for their pets, and inquired as to whether we might guide them to such resources/foster care. I hope you might give us some guidance? THANK YOU! KBock
I am in a position to foster pets for deployed military who may need help. I would be more than happy to take care of their furry family member.
Hey Y’all! I have the most random question, and I really need help on this question I am trying hard to figure out. My husband was currently in the Marines, (infantry 0311) back in 04-08. He got out and went Private Contractor and now he is on his 6th deployment all together. When he deployed this time around, He had left behind his service dog, in which calms him down when theres big groups of people, when he’s nervous etc. I recently had her Registered under the US dog registry (ADA). We currently reside in North Carolina, and I’m heading home to New York (upstate) to visit family. I will be bringing my husband dogs with me, and we are both on the certificate as her Handler, due to him being deployed, she need stop keep up on her training. I’m having a heck of a time with a private condominium housing that won’t allow her because the person who she is servicing will not be present (due to him being deployed to Afghanistan) . I have been doing research and just not sure where to even start. I have her ID tags, her certificate …. she has a vest, and proper documentation. Just because my husband is deployed doesn’t mean I will cage his dog up and not keep up with her training. I feel that this is being unfair and heartbreaking because for someone who truly needs a dog when he is home in the “real world” … we are getting pushed aside. If anyone has any information or some how some way guide me down the path I need to take …. please contact me. I leave in less than a month, and this is very important to me! please email me when you can, PLEASE! THANK YOU! ja6mg13@gmail.com Thank you so much for your time at reading this. – Jessica G.
While my brother was on leave as he is periodically I would dog sit for him and it was no problem my children and I love his dog but my local SECCA has come after me stating that I need to pay $240 as they had record that in 2011 that I was dog sitting and when they checked again in 2015 i happened to have the dog again. Which I do periodically. I offered my brothers military info and to obtain his deployment info but they refused and even if I returned the dog I still needed to pay the $240. My brother lives in a rural area and has 2 acres of land so he never bothered having his dog licensed in his own city. Apparently SECCA does not care for families that care for a dogs of people that defend out country,
I would love to provide a good home to a sm/med size dog no bigger we have two rescue cats we would want the dog spayed or neutered
We live in north county
I would love to provide a good home to a sm/med size dog no bigger we have two rescue cats we would want the dog spayed or neutered
We live in north county
Hi there,
I have a woman friend down in N.C. near Ashville who is in real need of a place to stay with her two cats. She has no car right now and has been in great physical pain, due to arthritis (had a bad accident) she is 53 years old. She really is a home body because of this. She was wondering if anyone knew of a site where military men and women are looking for people to take care of their homes and or pets/ with access to a car for grocery shopping – while they are deployed. Her name is Joy. She does not drink or drug, is highly intelligent and she is a writer. Please contact me with any helpful ideas.
bless you
Hello there, I know this site is not for adopting puppies but I was wondering if any one new any good sites I can check out. My husband and I recently got married and he runs a high risk of getting deployed next year, since we aren’t ready for babies we wanted to get a puppy to enjoy before deployment. However, it has been extremely difficult because puppies in our area sell for very high, the cheapest we have found has been $1000 and as Newley weds we really can’t afford it.
Hi this site is giving me some hope! I had a cat and had to give her away to my co-worker and now hes leaving to the army Feb 24th 2015…I’ve been helping try and find someone that can take hr but its soo hard! people only want kittens 🙁 Is there anyone here that can help? Hes leaving for 6 months and would love to have her when he gets back.. Call me pls 917-202-8554 we are in NY
Well I definitely enjoyed reading it. This information offered by you is very helpful for proper planning.
I have two loving cats that need a temporary home while I am deployed with CLB 24. I am stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC. due to leave the end of this month (sept.) if you can help please contact me at 609-553-0678. God bless you.
Anyone in the Ft Irwin area willing to foster 2 of fur children for two months?? I’m currently deployed and my husband is unable to for the time being due to orders. I’ve tried everything I possibly could. I really do not want to part with my babies ))):
I deploy in a couple days and have not found a foster home for my two bull terriers Ivy(2yrs) and Jazz(1yr). I have tried every website with no luck. If anyone could help in the San Diego area please I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.
There is a dog on death row in NYCAC because the Soldier is deployed and the live in girl friend surrendered the dog because she didn’t have time to care for him. I am willing to care for this Soldiers’ dog if someone can get him out of this high kill shelter and help transport him to me in Florida. I am asking for nothing just transport the dog to me until the Soldier returns back stateside to get him back. Is there any help available.
Soo okay i kinda need help.. am not married but i habe 3 babiez.. leaving for Basic Military Training in about august.. any help that i may be able to use.. i saved 2 of them from a person i knew and my other was my sisters who gave him to me.. they are 2 purebreed toy yorkies.. (2.9lbs and a 6.5 lbs) and a Morkie about 10 lbs.. very friendly… shots up to date and they are 3, 4 , and 5… 2 boys 1 girl.. in the philadelphi/NJ area
My Son is getting discharged in 2 weeks the lady who was watching his dog took him to the shelter today. I have 4 dogs of my own and can’t take him at legal limit. We need help plz we are in Illinois and after a tour in Afghanistan it breaks my heart to hear him plead for help with his dog
Hello.. my situation is a little different from most of these posts. I am currently already on deployment and my husband is in Norfolk taking care of our two cats, who are litter-mates. Upon my return to the States, we will be getting a divorce and he has not told me what his plan is for the cats. Since I don’t want the possibility of his leaving them in the apartment to starve or letting them run wild around the city, I am trying to make some long-distance plans for them.
The problem I have is that after the divorce, we will lose our additional income, our BAH (we’re mil-mil) and this will cause me to lose my ability to pay for the apartment and he doesn’t want to keep the apartment either. Until I am an E-4 with four years in (which is November of this year), I will not be able to take care of the cats. My parents already have two cats and a dog in their place in Florida and the only friend willing to take them in has a full-time job and is a full-time student at her college, also in Florida.
I need someone who would be willing to take the cats in for a max of seven months until I can take care of them again. I don’t want to give my babies back to the pound I adopted them from and my last resort is a kennel for kitties or the Humane Society. They’re adults now and I don’t want my big girls to be in a cramped cage for seven months. I don’t want them to be in cages at all. And I don’t want them separated. They sleep on each other..
Can anyone help? I’m very distressed over this. My email is harmonee.831@gmail.com. Please let me know if there is anyone in my area (Northern Virginia) or in Florida (where my parents or best friend could pick them up if I’m underway when the time is up) who would be willing to assist me. I would greatly appreciate it!
I have a pitbull, I leave for basic training for the army July 1st. Is there anyone who would be willing to take care of her while I’m gone, she will be 6 months when I leave. She’s playful and likes little kids and other dogs.
Sweetie,
Where are you know…and can you get to Florida….I would love to help you. I have two Pits mixes and very aware of this breed. Contact me asap if you are serious about this. You do realized that you may get stationed overseas and Pit’s aren’t welcome in so many places overseas and if you are single you will have to stay on base in the barracks unless you are married. I am willing honestly willing to help you, I retired in 2011 and have the time. Email me.
We are a military family, my husband just received orders to Okinawa, Japan. We will be stationed there for three years. We financially can’t afford to fly our dogs over with us, and don’t want them to have to be quarantined for who knows how long. We would be so blessed to find someone or a family to adopt them until we return state side, or if we can’t find some one to adopt them, if we could find a new permanent home for them. They are the sweetest dogs, they house trained and love kids!!! We have a shar-pei and a cockapoo. Both have been spade, and are up to date on all shots! If you could help or know someone who can, please contact us via email. Usmcculp@gmail.com
I am looking for long term care for a military pet. My sister’s husband in deployed and she has a debilitating health condition and cannot take care of their dog. If anyone has a home for her dog that would be so helpful and her husband would be very grateful.
Where are you located? my husband and I are interested in fostering dogs for military personnel that are being deployed. We are located on Long Island in NY
Hi all,
I am facing a very difficult reality concerning my adorable terrier mix, Cally, as we are moving to our first duty station at Lackland AFB in September where my husband will be attached to an Army unit. We are choosing to live off base and all the apartment complexes besides one in the area of San Antonio that we are looking, will accept my dog because of her mixed “aggressive” breed. She looks mostly boxer/staffordshire/pit and according to my vet, a variety of other breeds. These rules are very strict and they won’t even accept her if I got a DNA test done and it indicated that she is 10% terrier….
I’m holding out hope that we like the apartment that will accept her, but I realize there is such a small chance. Another issue we have is that she is urine incontinent which means she needs to remain on medication for the rest of her life and she drips 24/7. Without this problem, I know many people who would take her in but it is definitely a commitment and burden to take on. She also isn’t a big fan of other dogs.
If I do need to give her up, what is my best option? Can anyone recommend a SAFE place for her to call home and have a family who loves her as much as we do? She’s about 45 lbs and sits on my hip like a baby, follows me around and loves people. She has been trained and knows her commands very well. She’s incredibly playful and full of energy.
Any help or advice will be EXTREMELY appreciated. Cally is my first ever dog and I’ve had her since my husband left for basic training this past November. Needless to say, she’s been more than a pet to me. I can be reached at awelch048@yahoo.com We currently live in New Jersey.
Thank you very much,
Alyssa Louro
Alyssa,
How are you guys getting to San Antonio….I ask because you may want to contact Villalobos they are now in New Orleans but if you are driving maybe you guys can get your dog to them if you contact that ahead of time on their website. This was you won’t have o turn her over Callie over to a shelter. Pit Bull terrier mix looking dogs don’t stand a chance in a shelter there are just too many already being killed hourly in shelters. I have two girls Pit bull Mix and a Pit Bull and I absolutely love the breed but with all of the issues constantly on TV with irresponsible owners this breed will always be the underdog. Please let me know if you come up with a solution. Be careful where you choose to move and try to take her because if it isn’t in your lease don’t take a chance on bringing her to your new place. The best of luck.
PACT for Animals is a Non-Profit Organization that actively recruits, checks, and connects foster families with military service members in need of animal care during deployment. We are located in the Philadelphia, PA area, but will find sweet, in-home foster care with one of our volunteers for any animal that you can get to us. We do require that animals are altered and current on all shots including kennel cough. Check http://www.pactforanimals.org for more information.
Does anyone know any program in Washington state that can provide foster pet care? i have 2 cats and while I am not active duty, my husband is and he is currenlty deployed to Afghanistan. There is a high chance that i will be deploying to Afghanistan with my job for 6 months max. Some programs limit their support to single soldiers or dual military and not DOD civilians. I am unsure how it works for our situation – active duty/DOD civilian marriage. Any insights or help would greatly be appreciated. I don’t have any family here in WA state and all my friends are either allergic or have dogs of their own and my cats don’t function well with a dog in sight. Any help is greatly appreciated!! Thank you.
I AM LOOKING FOR CARE FOR MY BABY. SHE IS A MINI AMERICAN ESKIMO 22LBS. MY FAMILY MEMBER HAS TO MOVE AND CANNOT TAKE CARE OF HER ANYMORE. I RETURN OFF DEPLOYMENT IN OCTOBER I LOVE IN CHESAPEAKE,VA. i WOULD PREFER HER TO BE ALONE OR TRY TO INTEGRATE HER WITH ANOTHER SMALL ANIMAL. SHE DOES NOT LIKE MAILMEN OR CATS LOL.. I ADOPTED HER FROM A SHELTER 6 YEARS AGO AND IM A LITTLE SKEPTICAL BECAUSE SHE WAS ABUSED BEFORE I GOT HER BUT SHE IS LOVABLE AND IS A LONER BUT LOVES TO RUN IN A BIG YARD AND PLAY CATCH!
I am a deploying service member in need of a foster for my dog. The arrangements i made months ago fell through and i might have to send my dog back to the shelter. If there is anyone looking to foster a dog in or around the Austin area please let me know.
Have you found a solution? What kind of dog do you have?
well i would love to help if i could and how do i do this
I own a pet sitting , dog walking business in Northern Va, and offer great military discounts for long term overnight care in my home for pets whose parents are deployed. Basically just to cover the cost of food, etc. My husband is a Lt Colonel in the Marines, so we gladly will do this for anyone in the DC, Maryland or Northern VA area.
Please feel free to contact me at 571 338 7297.
I can’t believe that every shelter in the country doesn’t have these resources on speed dial.my heart breaks for the soldier in Texas who may learn that his beloved pet was killed in a heartless shelter. I re-posted that part of this blog separately ,hoping my friends in Texas would also & maybe we can find a home that way…
Lori, it is not the shelter’s responsibility, although we agree it would be helpful if they had this information to counsel potential military surrenders. Once an animal is surrendered to them, it is legally no longer “owned” by the service member and therefore not eligible for military pet foster programs. Owners, including active duty military, must take responsibility to educate themselves about options to ensure the continuous care of their pets if they are deployed. Sadly, some wait until the last minute to find long-term temporary care for their pet, by which time it’s often too late.
Now that is ridiculous! The dog should be sheltered anyway and the former owner contacted. Sometimes the service member is overwhelmed and make poor choices which they later regret. Helping to make the poor decision have a better outcome should not be canceled by some “rule” you have. Such hogwash!
Glad to meet you! Last year I helped a young woman who needed a foster home for her two pups during a year sojourn in Iraq. What worked was posting her home for rent on MilitaryByOwner.com Not only did she find a wonderful military couple who rented her home – they also cared for her two dogs. It worked beautifully for everyone.
Best to all!
A friend sent me a notice last night of a dog turned over to the Denton, Texas, animal services because her owner was being deployed. I have written to the director there asking that she try to contact the owner and tell him of these options. Sadly, his dog, Lady, Pet ID 35744 was turned over to a city shelter where she will not be kept alive if not adopted quickly. Ideally, it would be nice if she could be fostered until the soldier returns. If there is anyone in the DFW area that could rescue her (and hopefully foster), please do so and ask the shelter to contact her owner of her whereabouts so he can have her back upon return. This soldier is already sacrificing so much. The sacrifice should not include sacrificing a four-legged best friend too. http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/21284991
In the compiltaced world we live in, it’s good to find simple solutions.
oops. Nevermind. Answered my own question!
My husband and I are available to foster a military members dog (or two). How do we get in touch with an organization to let them know we’re able to do this?
Rebecca, we suggest you contact our partner Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet and apply to be a pet foster for a deployed service member. Thank you for stepping up!
My son is a deployed Marine. I have been caring for his two labs, but I have to move to care for my ill parent. I, myself, am a single mom. I cannot take the dogs. Can anyone help? These two dogs are best friends. Please, someone help us. I can transport and help a little with food.
Have you found a solution? Where is your location?
Im a Nationalguard member.I have a yr and half old nuturedfemale chocalate labrador. I have to leave duty for a month. idont have anybody to trust to live her..Is anyone will helpme to watch my dog while im away for militaryduty? thankyou.
I know this is from very very long ago but are you still able to provide this service ?