Our military personnel must make a few sacrifices when they enter the armed forces and get deployed, including experiencing long periods away from loved ones and pets. While people may understand why you are leaving, pets are another story, and the need to find a place to board your dog while you are gone can add to the problem. Fortunately, a few helpful groups can provide homes to service members’ pets while they are away. Here are several options so you can see if one is right for you.
The 4 Military Dog Boarding Groups
1. Dogs on Deployment
- In Operation Since: 2011
Dogs on Deployment is a non-profit organization that helps military personnel find volunteer boarders for their pets when they need to leave on deployment. It was started in 2011, and its mission is to address the need for reliable and safe pet care for military personnel. It also advocates for pet owner rights within the military and provides education about pet care.
Services Offered:
Dogs on Deployment has a large network of volunteers across the country waiting to house and care for pets while their military owners are away. It also offers financial assistance to soldiers experiencing pet-related emergencies, such as unexpected veterinary care.
2. PACT for Animals
- In Operation Since: 2009
PACT for Animals is a non-profit organization focused on providing foster care to pets of military personnel while they are away. It was started in 2009, operates in all 50 states, and has helped find temporary homes for more than 3,000 pets.
Services Offered:
PACT for Animals helps match military personnel with foster pet parents in their area who can watch over their pets while they are away. It also offers emergency support for military personnel and foster homes and facilitates communication between pets, their owners, and the temporary foster parents to help make everyone more comfortable.
3. Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet
- In Operation Since: 2005
Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet was started in 2005, when Linda Spurlin-Dominik and Carol Olmedo learned that people in the armed services all across the country had trouble finding someone to care for their pets while they were away. They wanted to bridge the gap between pet ownership and military duties.
Services Offered:
Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet helps connect military members with volunteer foster families in all 50 states. It also provides services to veterans who are facing homelessness, health problems, or other issues that cause them to need temporary homes for their pets.
4. American Humane Military Initiatives
- In Operation Since: 1877
American Humane is the oldest organization on this list, as it was started in 1877. It aims to improve the safety and welfare of animals, and its military initiative aims to provide support for military personnel and their pets during times of deployment.
Services Offered:
While American Humane does not run an in-house fostering program like the other options on this list, it can help you get in touch with the help that you need. It also provides advice, resources, and guidance to military personnel who need help finding temporary homes for their pets. It works with shelters and private groups, including Dogs on Deployment and PACT for Animals, and can walk you through the process of signing up for those organizations.
Other Resources
911 Foster Pets
911 Foster Pets is an organization for anyone facing a pet emergency, including military personnel, and will help you find a quick home for your pet if you suddenly need to go away.
Camp Bow Wow
Camp Bow Wow is a great option for anyone, including military personnel, who must board their pet quickly because they need to leave town. This organization has locations across the country, a CPR-certified staff, spacious play areas, and 24/7 security. It also uses webcams, so you can see your pet while you are away.
Dogtopia
Dogtopia is a great location for boarding pets that is not limited to military personnel. It offers short- and long-term boarding options and keeps your pet entertained with full days of exercise and fun, along with plenty of interaction with other people and pets. With more than 200 locations across the United States, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find one if you need it.
How Can You Help?
If you would like to help people in the military find homes for their pets while they are out of town, there are several things that you can do.
Volunteer
Many of the organizations on this list rely on volunteers to provide homes for animals while their military owners are away. If you have the ability, opening your home to pets can provide a valuable resource to many soldiers.
Donate
Even if you can’t open your home to pets, a great way to help is to donate money. You can contribute to any of the organizations on this list through their websites, and they would all be grateful for it.
Spread Awareness
Spreading awareness is a useful way that you can contribute even with a limited budget. Talking on social media and other places about these groups and the difficulty that people have in the military when they need to leave their pets can help get other people involved who might donate their homes or money to help.
Conclusion
If you are in the military and need help boarding your pet while you are away on assignment, Dogs on Deployment, PACT for Animals, and Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet can get you in touch with volunteers who are willing to watch your pet for you. The American Humane Military Initiatives can help educate you and link you to important resources that might also help. There are several commercial dog boarding establishments open to everyone, and some may even offer a military discount.
If you are a civilian looking to support the wonderful people in the military and their pets, volunteering your home, donating funds, and spreading awareness can be a big help.
Featured Image Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock
