military foster program

1. Evaluate each request and need (preferably within a 120-mile radius of Philadelphia, PA) on a case-by-case basis to determine the best fit for all parties involved (owner, pet and foster home).
2. Establish a network of foster families providing a loving and healthy environment for companion animals until they are reunited with their owners.
3. Promote and support our military through recruiting and interviewing potential foster homes, volunteers and military personnel being deployed.
4. Establish communication with appropriate government agencies to ensure compliance with all regulations (federal, state and local).
5. Establish a network with various military locations, Family Readiness Groups (FRGs), military based veterinarians, volunteer pet transport groups, other military support organizations and animal care facilities (humane societies, animal shelters and rescue groups).

Across the country, military service men and women are deployed everyday, however their companion pets still need to be cared for and loved in a safe and sound environment. Without a close family member or friend to care for them, military pet owners are forced to relinquish their beloved pets to animal shelters or rescue groups. With the probability of being reunited again scarce, pets are either (hopefully) relocated to a good home, or more likely, euthanized due to overcrowding in animal shelters and the large size of many deployed individuals' dogs.

For the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect this country each and everyday, PACT's Military Foster Program provides the help and support they need that is so crucial to both the animal's well-being and the owner's peace of mind.

If you are interested in helping our military service men and women, become a loving and supportive foster parent for their pet today. Please carefully read the attached Military Foster Agreement for specifics, and also remember the program is currently preferable for those living within an approximate 120 miles of Philadelphia, PA. This enables both the military personnel and the foster family easy access to each other regarding the pet's needs.

Though deployments vary in length of time, they are usually between nine and 13 months, though specific sets of circumstances and tours of duty will be discussed between each pet owner and their assigned foster family. We realize that military tours of duty can sometimes be extended, and PACT will work closely with pet owners and foster families in regards to issues or concerns which may arise so that the best possible care is provided for each and every pet.

Please contact info@pactforanimals.org with any questions you may have. We are happy to hear from you.

Military Foster Agreement

Click here to download and view the Military Foster Agreement. If you are interested in fostering one of these great animals, then contact info@pactforanimals.org or click here to fill out the online application. Service Members, click here to submit a companion animal in need of fostering.

Lena and Shady

May 2013: Another successful PACT Military foster placement! Veteran PACT fosters Laurie and Stephen have generously opened their heart and home to cats Lena and Shady while their military mom Courtney is deployed overseas for a year in the Army. Courtney drove over 30 hours round trip from Missouri to North Jersey, days before her deployment, to deliver Lena and Shady to their foster parents, Laurie and Stephen. Thank you to everyone involved with this foster placement!

Louie

April 2013: Louie the Yellow lab has been a loyal and loving companion to his owners, dad Lieutenant Colonel, Timothy Washington currently deployed and mom Robin. Louie is more than just a devoted companion to Robin. For the past 4 years he has served as her therapy dog assisting her with her disabilities. Recently Robin found out that she would need surgery and 3-6 months of post surgical rehabilitation. Sadly with her husband on deployment, Robin couldn't find a place for Louie to stay during her surgery and recovery. Luckily for Louie, Robin and Timothy, PACT was able to partner them with foster VMD Jen Johnson of Stoney Creek Veterinary Hospital. Jen has opened her home to Louie until Robin is able to recuperate from her surgery. Louie and Robin made the long journey from their home in South Carolina last week and Louie is happily settling in with Jen’s family until his mom returns. Thanks to everyone involved with the placement.

Dorian Grey & Mrs. Belvedere

February 17, 2013: Holly is now fostering Dorian Grey and Mrs. Belvedere, two loving kitties, while their mother, Dara, is deploying for the next year to Afghanistan. Dara was thrilled to come across PACT’s Military Foster Program while searching the Internet. With no family in the immediate area, she was determined to exhaust every option before turning to a shelter. We were able to match her up with Holly who is looking forward to spoiling Dorian Grey and Mrs. Belvedere over the next year while keeping in constant contact with Dara via email.  

Rocky

January 7, 2013: Savannah is fostering 2 year-old Rocky for the next 6 months while his mom, Jackie, is training as a Reserve in Missouri. She thought that a friend was going to be able to take care of Rocky during her training, however she was informed on Christmas night that the friend was no longer able to assist. Luckily Jackie came across PACT online. Although he will miss his owner greatly, Rocky will benefit from weekly visits from her partner, Lacey who will remain in Pennsylvania. Both Savannah and Rocky are very excited for their adventures in the months to come together, including daily visits to the dog park!

Kato and Karmen

January 5, 2013: During her decade in the Army, Captain Kellie has experienced multiple relocations. Each time she has been fortunate to relocate her beloved dogs Kato and Karmen with her. However, she was unable to for her 9 month deployment to Afghanistan. With no family in the immediate area, she turned to the Internet for guidance. Luckily she came across PACT. We were able to assist Kellie in placing Kato and Karmen in a magnificent foster home with Max and Patrice who are eagerly beginning their second foster term with PACT. We cannot thank them enough!

Samson

October 5, 2012: We would like to thank David, Deb, and their generous family for volunteering to foster once again for PACT. They are fostering Samson, a four year-old boxer, while his owner, Eeann, is deployed for the next 10 months in Kuwait. Eeann came to PACT last minute when his plans for Samson fell through. Luckily, we were able to find the perfect foster home for him just in time. Samson has been getting along wonderfully with his new best friend Duke.

Bailey and Murphy

September 28, 2012: We would like to thank Kristin and her family for fostering Bailey and Murphy for the next 7 months while their owners, Ryan and Loraine, are in Texas working for the US Air Force. Bailey and Murphy have the pleasure of temporarily living with Girlz, a Chihuahua, and Poppy a Min Pin, and have already become great friends. Ryan and Loraine were worried about finding a home for both of their dogs and did not want to separate the two who have lived together their entire life. They could not be happier with the wonderful foster home they ended up with.

Glory and Matilda

September 23, 2012: Once her first fosters (Samantha and Savannah) went back home, Linda knew she was ready to foster for PACT once again. Linda and her cat, Beau have welcomed Glory and Matilda into their home while their owner, Taylor is deployed to Kuwait with the PA National Guard. Both Linda and Beau are very happy to have the company for the next year while Taylor serves our country.

Jossi

September 12, 2012: Jerry has become our first foster to volunteer for a second call of duty with PACT. He is fostering Jossi, a very friendly 7 year-old pitbull, while her Army owner, Jesse, is deployed. We were able to help Jesse and Jossi at the very last minute after another foster home fell through with a local rescue organization. Jossi has not met a person she does not greet with a wagging tail and love. We cannot thank Jerry enough for helping PACT and the military once again.

Moses

September 1, 2012: We would like to thank Marie and Hank for generously opening their home to Moses while his Army owner, Gary, is deployed. Moses has been an only pet since Gary adopted him at the young age of 2 weeks-old, but will learn to adapt to a loving household of other cats and dogs. Little by little, he is coming out of his shell, and adapting to life with Marie, Hank, as well as their 2 dogs and 2 cats. Another great success for everyone involved!

Daisy

April 1, 2012: Daisy, a one and a half year-old lab mix is being foster by John and Kim while her owner Steve is deployed in Afghanistan. Daisy is getting along extremely well with her new buddy Promise. Both Steve and PACT are extremely grateful that we were able to place both his dog and cats in such loving foster care while he is overseas.

Haley & Sabrina

March 26, 2012: Cindi is fostering Haley (gray cat) and Sabrina (black cat) while their owner, Steve, is contracted by the Army in Afghanistan. Both cats are slowly but surely getting used to their new environment. Cindi is very happy with the progress they have made so far, and will be in her loving care for the next year.

Lindor & Kirschling

March 15, 2012: Chris and his family are being deployed to Bahrain for a two year rotation. Their two beloved Labs, Lindor and Kirschling, are being fostered by Michelle and her husband Steve. Rudy, also a 9 year-old Lab, welcomes his new best friends into the house. These three youthful Labs act like they have known each other their entire lives, and look forward to bonding over the next two years.

Macho

April 2013: Macho was successfully reunited with his owner Tavon .

Sim

April 23, 2013- Mike returned from his year long deployment in Kuwait and was reunited with his beloved dog, Sim. Sim's fosters, Lynn and Tom Barron, reported Sim was a wonderful addition to their animal kingdom during his stay and was the perfect dog from the moment of his arrival. They consider Sim an honorary member of their family and have volunteered to foster Sim while Mike goes away for drill weekends. Although the reunion was bittersweet for the Barron family, they consider Sim a member of their family and would open their home to him again anytime! 

Bella

March 9, 2013: Diomarys has returned home after serving our country for the past 6 months in Africa. She almost did not recognize her pup, Bella who was only a 8 months-old when she deployed! To no one's surprise, Bella remembered her mom and was very excited to be reunited with her. We would like to thank Hal and Cheryl for taking tremendous care of Bella over the past 6 months. Although Diomarys lives in North Carolina, and Hal and Cheryl in Pennsylvania, they plan on staying in touch and hope to visit each other when Diomarys visits family in Pennsylvania.

Meat and Vader

February 25, 2013: John has returned from Michigan where he was being treated for PTSD. He is thrilled to be reunited with Meat and Vader. He could not stop thanking PACT as well as Jay and Pam for saving his dogs, who he referred to as his "best friends." Jay, Pam, and John will all stay in touch and plan on scheduling play dates for all 4 of the pugs who had grown so close to each other over the past month.

Cabela

December 29, 2012: Cabela has been happily reunited with her owners after spending the last 6 months with her wonderful foster family. Just months after her fiancé had been deployed to Afghanistan, Rachel was faced with a new issue. A new law was passed in her township that prohibited pit bulls from living in apartment complexes. Rachel needed a foster home to take care of Cabela while she looked for new housing and awaited the return home of her fiancé. Josh, Tori, and their loving family came to the rescue! Even with 4 kids and 2 dogs in the house, Josh and Tori welcomed Cabela into their home with open arms. The entire family will miss Cabela but will remain in constant contact with Rachel and plan on having Cabela visit on a regular basis.

Niko & Teddy

December 7, 2012: Iesha has returned home from spending the last 11 months in Kuwait. During the deployment, her two Chihuahuas, Niko and Teddy, got to be quite comfortable living with Mary and her dog, Elvis. Although they will miss their friends, Niko and Teddy are absolutely ecstatic to be back with their mom at home. Mary and Iesha have developed a special bond that will carry on for years to come. Iesha plans to make several trips with Niko and Teddy to visit Mary and Elvis.

Hunter

October 15, 2012: Hunter's foster mom, Diane, has become Hunter's forever guardian. Due to his age (12 years- YOUNG) Hunter's family, currently stationed in Hawaii for the next 3 years, as well as Diane, agreed that it would not be in his best interest to attempt to fly him to Hawaii once they obtained off-base housing. Although he will definitely miss his former family, Hunter is very happy with Diane and is so thankful to have such a wonderful and loving new family.

Buster

September 26, 2012: Tracy and Buster have been reunited after Tracy spent the last 5 months in Qatar. PACT was able to match Tracy and Buster up with a loving foster home in their home state of North Carolina after one of our foster home volunteers introduced us to a family friend. It was a perfect match, and we would like to thank Kim and her daughter for taking such wonderful care of Buster.

Axle and Gabby

August 22, 2012: After a successful stint in a VA hospital, Axle and Gabby's owner is back on his feet and has been reunited with his companions. We cannot thank Cheryl enough for her patience and care during the foster term. More than once, Cheryl extended her foster care when Axle and Gabby's owner needed more time for treatment. Although she is sad to see them go, she is extremely happy that the loving dogs are reunited with their owner and get to go home!

Samantha & Savannah

August 17, 2012: Terrie's stint in Afghanistan was cut short, and is happily reunited with her two kitties Samantha and Savannah. Linda had graciously volunteered and was prepared to foster the two for the next year. Although she is sad the stay was cut short, she is very happy that Terrie has returned home safely and was able to bring Samantha and Savannah home once again.

Sarge & Cappy

August 15, 2012: After spending the last 5 months in Iraq, Corrie and Justin have returned home to pick up Sarg and Cappy. They were extremely thankful for the wonderful care Shanny and her family provided for their pets during their deployment. After an emotional reunion, Corrie and Justin have agreed to make frequent visits with Sarg and Cappy to see Shanny and her daughters.

Riley

July 1, 2012: Riley has been reunited with her loving Marine dad Justin and mom Ashlee. Although she will definitely miss her daily play time at the dog park with Patrice and Max, she is very happy to be reunited with her family. Patrice and Max went above and beyond their call of duty as foster guardians. Justin and Ashlee were thrilled with the constant updates and pictures they received of Riley during the foster period. Patrice and Max, although sad to see Riley go, are very happy with their first foster experience and cannot wait to foster once again for PACT's Military Foster Program.

Roxie & Jackson

June 15, 2012: Tom and Gretchen generously welcomed Roxie and Jackson into their loving home for the next 2 months while their owner, Virginia, goes through training. Roxie and Jackson have felt right at home thanks to the care and attention Tom and Gretchen have provided. In addition, they have 2 new buddies, Piper and Molly, who have been more than happy to share their home. Gretchen tells us that the only problem to date is finding a space on the couch between all 4 cuddling dogs!

Max

June 3, 2012: Kevin returned home happy to see his best friend Max and was very thankful for the wonderful foster care he received from Jerry. Unfortunately, Kevin encountered multiple personal hardships and was not able to take Max back into his life. With the help of Jerry, PACT was able to place Max in a loving permanent home with Jerry's friend, John. Both Kevin and Jerry have made multiple visits to see Max who has adjusted fantastically to his new life with John.

Mac

June 1, 2012: Our first deployed Service Member, Andrew, has returned home and is happily reunited with his best friend Mac. Andrew and his wife Grace could not be more thankful for PACT's services and for Cyndy's loving foster care. Andrew and Grace realized without PACT, they likely would have never seen their beloved Siberian Husky Mac again follow Andrew's deployment. Look at those smiles!

Iysis and Romeo

May 15, 2012: Upon returning from Afghanistan, Ryanna and her partner were forced to move into a smaller apartment. Diane, who fostered Isys and Romeo, agreed that the environment would not be the best situation for both large dogs to live in. Diane has taken Isys into her home with open arms. Ryanna is extremely grateful for Diane's dedication and loving care. They remain in constant communication and have had reunions with both dogs on multiple occasions.

Sasha and Veda

February 27, 2012: Kathleen and Andrew have both returned home from Afghanistan. Although Sasha and Veda settled in very comfortably with their pal Duke and their loving foster family, they were ecstatic to see mom and dad once again! We could not have asked for a better foster family during the deployment. David, Debora, and their 3 children provided a perfect foster environment. PACT, as well as Kathleen and Andrew, cannot thank them enough!

Francis & Gidget

February 4, 2012: Upon reading this heartbreaking story, Laurie and her husband Stephen decided to help save the lives of 2 cats. Their military vet "dad" has terminal cancer and wishes for all of his beloved cats to be placed in loving homes since he can no longer take proper care of them. The cats, Francis and Gidget, were driven 5 hours by a caring volunteer to be united with their new forever home. Along with Laurie and Stephen, Francis and Gidget joined 3 other loving cats and are adapting well!

Foster Program for Dogs & Cats of Military Personnel

Brigadier General John Gronski came to Buzzy's Bow Wow Meow in 2011 to honor Buzz and PACT for the work they are doing in locating temporary foster homes for dogs and cats who have no place to live while their "best friend" is serving our country. We want our military to rest assured that their companion animal is being well taken care of while they are on active duty, and that they will be reunited with their pet after their tour of duty. It is often very difficult for a soldier to place their "best friend" into foster care. However, foster care is definitely preferable to having their "best friend" placed in shelters (which have an average euthanasia rate of approximately 50%).

Not many civilians are aware of the plight of our men and women who are called up for active duty and need to find housing for their beloved pets, while they are away serving our country.

PACT's military foster program, which is just beginning, is unique in that during the time the pet is with their new foster family, photos and letters are required to be sent to their "parent" on a regular basis. It is a great morale booster as well as a "thank you" to that soldier. The added benefit of PACT's program is that when the soldier returns, the foster family can keep in touch through contracted visitation rights for the life of the pet with his reunited soldier. It is a win-win situation for the companion animal, the soldier, the foster family, and our country.

This program is something we must do for our men and women who are risking their lives for us and our country in these increasingly dangerous times.

Anyone who is interested in becoming a foster for one of our military personnel's pets can find out more information by contacting Buzz Miller at buzz@pactforanimals.org or 610-581-4141.

We would appreciate all charitable contributions to further this PACT program.