Pets
Foster Care for Pets of Deploying Owners DOES Exist!!!Hello, readers! Since I have an editor of the 4militaryfamilies.com web page for Pets, I have had numerous questions - and a few desperate pleas - for assistance in placing beloved pets in foster care for the duration of a service members' deployment or training. The good news is - help is available! Previous military deployments have often been accompanied by increased levels of animals being taken to animal shelters but a call to duty doesn't have to mean giving up your pet. Many soldiers have chosen the option of foster care for their animals. Oftentimes a family member or friend is able to foster for a time, but in the event that no one is available, check out this website for organizations specializing in placing military pets into foster care:
www.netpets.org The Humane Society has guidelines posted for those looking to place their animals into a foster care setting. It is all in the planning! Below are the HSUS' recommendations (which can be found on their website at www.hsus.org) - Arrange for a family member or friend to care for your pet in your absence if possible.
- Have a written agreement outlining the pet care arrangement. Issues to consider include what happens to the pet if the caregiver can no longer keep the animal, who is liable for damages done by the pet, what happens if you don't reclaim your pet, and what happens if the pet is injured or becomes ill in the temporary home.
- Complete a pet personality profile to assist the caregiver in understanding your pet's particular needs.
- Update vaccinations as needed and provide the caregiver with veterinary records.
- Outfit your pet with a collar and tag with the temporary caregiver's contact information. Make sure your pet is wearing a rabies tag or license as required by law in your community.
- Provide funds to cover food, grooming, and other routine needs.
- Leave contact information on how to reach your veterinarian. Arrange for payment of routine and emergency medical care.
- Have your pet spayed or neutered to avoid behavioral problems and adding to the pet overpopulation problem
By searching in response to our readers' requests for assistance, I have found a few additional resources and tips: Check with your local vet, especially Vet Services on a post, as well as local shelters and any community or non-profit organizations that specialize in animal rescue. If you have a purebred dog or cat, look and see if there is a rescue organization for that specific breed. They may know a local organization/family willing to foster. Boarding kennels sometimes offer long-term discounts to military personnel. There are regional agencies, such as PAWS (www.paws.org) in the Seattle area, that have connections in foster care. Research available resources in your area, and contact them for help and advice. The best tip I can give anyone with a pet that may need foster care is to research and plan as much in advance as possible. Know your options, and have a plan in case such events unfold in your life. Deployments are stressful enough without having to make crucial decisions about a much-loved pet in a hastened process. Develop a Pet Family Care Plan so you and your pet can have an easier deployment!
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