Supporting Our Military and Their Beloved Pets

Across the country, every day, men and women of the armed forces are sent to trainings, deployments, and re-assignments in places where their pets cannot go. Even on short trips, without a capable friend or ability to afford expensive kenneling services, military pet owners are forced to unwillingly surrender their beloved pets to animal shelters or rescue groups and never see them again. With the probability of being reunited again very low, pets are either re-homed or euthanized due to overcrowding in animal shelters. Even today, one third or more of the animals that enter a shelter are euthanized. Imagine going off to fight for your country knowing that your furry family may be euthanized because no one else could help.

With the important role pets play in our physical and emotional health, are we willing to let a soldier’s best friend be yet another sacrifice they must make to serve their country? Or will we assure them that their pets will be safe and sound, waiting for them when they return?

PACT exists for the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect this country every day. Our Military Foster Program provides the help and support they need that is crucial to both the animal’s well-being and the owner’s peace of mind.

How It Works – Fostering a Military Animal

PACT works directly with all military service members to match their companion animals with appropriate foster homes that will give them the care and love they need while their owners are deployed. We facilitate the foster home placement via our Foster Agreement – a written agreement that outlines the terms of the relationship and protects the interests of all parties involved.

During the foster term, PACT remains in close contact with the foster home to ensure the pet is settling in to a loving and safe environment. PACT continues to work with the foster home caregivers regarding any issues or concerns that may arise. PACT has a network of animal volunteers to help should an emergency arise at the foster home, and provides assistance, when necessary, by coordinating transport, professional trainers, groomers, kennels, food and supply support, and veterinary discounts for foster animals. Our foster programs are free; however, we ask that pet owners cover their beloved animals necessary expenses while in the foster home (food, grooming, veterinarian costs, etc).

While the owner is deployed, the foster family provides owners with regular updates on their pet’s well being, recent activities, and care. These are sent via emails, texts, phone, Facebook, post mail, videos or whatever works best for the owner! The updates always include a summary and often fosters can provide photographs or video — and the video of their best friend playing in the sunshine may be the best thing that soldier sees all day. Giving our brave military personnel a connection to their friends left behind and a reason to come home is one of the best things PACT Foster Families can do for our country.

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

Military Foster Agreement

If you are interested in fostering one of these great animals, please click here to fill out the online application, and contact info@pactforanimals.org about the pet you want to foster. Service Members, click here to submit a companion animal in need of fostering.

We need your support!

Help us make a difference by becoming a foster parent to a companion animal of those in need or by financially supporting our foster programs. Please click here to donate whatever you can to continue to keep these emergency services free to all military personnel and hospital patients in need.