It happens at a moment’s notice. Dozens or even hundreds of U.S. troops can suddenly be deployed to places like Iraq, Somalia, or off the Gaza Strip, leaving very little time for them to make arrangements for their military pets. And this is when the military pet foster programs step up, along with hundreds of pet patriots across the country.
“My friend and I came up with the idea in 2004,” says Linda Spurlin-Dominik, CEO of Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet, which is the nation’s oldest military pet fostering program for military personnel. “We were both volunteers for Soldiers’ Angels when we noticed a posting from a serviceman in Toledo. He was being deployed and had no family members to take care of his dog, Scooby-Doo.”
Spurlin-Dominik and her friend wanted to help, so they called the serviceman, promising to find a foster family for his dog. There was only one glitch—1,700 miles separated Scooby-Doo from his potential fosters in Hot Springs, Texas. Undeterred by the new challenge, the dog-loving duo started a caravan campaign, whereby pet patriots from across the country would link the two cities together.
“We were down to the last few hundred miles when a radio show host picked up our story,” says Spurlin-Dominik. “What happened after that surprised everybody. Dozens of people called in from Toledo to volunteer as foster families. It was a miracle.”
Although the initial campaign to find a pet foster was run as an extension of Soldiers’ Angels, Spurlin-Dominik knew she and her friend were on to something. So, encouraged by Soldiers’ Angels founder Patti Patton-Bader (great-grandniece of General George Patton) to create their own legacy, Spurlin-Dominik and her friend founded Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet.
“My father always told me where there is one person in need, there is always more,” Spurlin-Dominik said. “So I did the research and discovered what was happening to all of these poor pets.”
During the opening months of the Iraq War, so many servicemen and women were called up, that many communities with military bases had to scramble to find pet placements. In one community alone, service personnel were forced to abandon more than 400 dogs and cats. And even though local shelters were able to adopt out as many as 300, they had no other option than euthanizing those left behind.
“With some support from Soldiers’ Angels, funding from the Texas VFW, and a generous anonymous donation, we were able to put everything in motion, placing four pets in foster homes in our first week,” said Spurlin-Dominik. “Since then, we’ve been responsible for reuniting thousands of pets, not just cats and dogs, but birds, turtles, snakes, chickens, and even a horse. We have people comfortable with fostering anything.”
Today, Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet maintains hundreds of pet foster families in all 50 states. After prospects fill out a form, the organization screens the application, interviews the potential foster family, verifies amenities, and assigns a coordinator to help match the military pets that need fosters with homes approved by the owners.
“Last year, we placed 5 animals and assisted 92 with our MPA fund, which is lower than some years,” said Spurlin-Dominik. “But we need help. Since COVID, we’ve been short volunteers, donations, and sometimes foster families because of inflationary pressures.”
According to another nonprofit foster placement organization, PACT for Animals, balancing the needs of military personnel and available resources is always a challenge. The organization, originally founded by retired attorney Buzz Miller in 2011, operates with four team members and a volunteer board.
Like Spurlin-Dominik, Miller’s desire to develop a foster program for the military came out of a single impactful event. Miller had been volunteering at an animal shelter and witnessed military personnel surrendering their pets after being deployed.
“It broke his heart because he couldn’t believe soldiers were being forced to give up their pets when called up to serve their country,” explains Julie Zantopoulos, communications and outreach manager for PACT for Animals. “We typically help somewhere between a dozen and 30 pets during any given month.”
Originally, PACT for Animals serviced a tri-state area that included Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. But much like Guardian Angels, demand tends to coincide with which units are being deployed to which military bases. Now, California, South Carolina, and Texas tend to have the greatest need.
“It takes some effort because every area is different. Every state has different needs, laws, and local resources,” says Zantopoulos. “But the effort is all worth it. Pets typically react with joy and excitement when they see their owners again, giving us some very touching reunion stories.”
And there are many stories. PACT for Animals placed a white pitbull for two months after a specialist in the Army Reserves was called up for special training. A U.S. Air Force family stationed in southern India enlisted PACT for Animals to help arrange long-term foster arrangements until their return. PACT for Animals placed two dogs for U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant Michael for nine months again.
“Our goal is always to ensure a harmonious match that benefits the owner, the pet, and the foster family,” says Zantopoulos. “We do this by carefully assessing the needs and preferences of both the foster parent and the pet. Then, we consider factors such as the pet’s temperament, activity level, and compatibility with other pets and family members.”
PACT for Animals keeps an active list of animals in need on a dedicated web page. Pet profiles include pictures, details about the animal’s age and temperament, location, and anticipated duration of deployment or medical care. In addition to foster homes, PACT for Animals has a need for home visit volunteers and outreach support. The organization accepts donations and fundraises with Military Challenge Coins.
Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet assists with foster placements for active duty military personnel, families of deployed service members who have an emergency, wounded warrior support, veterans with medical issues, homeless veterans, and fallen warriors. The organization is currently working to replenish its Military Pet Assistance Fund, which assists with pet care-related expenditures such as emergency veterinary care. The organization is actively seeking volunteers and donations.
Along with Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet and PACT for Animals, Dogs on Deployment, founded by two active-duty military officers who faced their family’s pet crisis while simultaneously deployed, also helps find foster homes. In addition to a pet boarding network, the organization is developing several programs, including financial assistance for veterinary care and covering pet relocation costs during a permanent change of station.
It’s often said that a strong military depends on strong families. Thanks to these amazing organizations, these military families include military pets. Rather than surrendering their pets, service members can work with the organization best suited to their needs. There is no charge for participation, but pet owners generally pay for veterinary services and a food allowance for their military pets. Many pet patriots also offer to keep in touch with the owners during deployment.
