Deployment

Tips for Pets
dog

Tips for Petsline

Pets often become important members of your family. Pets of single service members as well as those of military couples and families often need a place to go during deployment, especially if the family relocates while the service member is deployed.

The key is careful planning beforehand. It is, of course, inhumane to leave a pet to fend for itself either in your home or on the streets. If you feel you can no longercare for your pet, consider the following options:

  • Ask a relative, neighbor, or friend to assume care of your pet.
  • Offer the pet for adoption through your local animal shelter or Animal Humane Association.
  • Visit NetPets.org’s Military Pets Foster Project at http://www.netpets.org/netp/foster.php. This site acts as a liaison between military personnel who need a temporary home for their pets and those willing to care for an animal.
  • To locate a foster home for a cat only, visit Operation Noble Foster at http://www.operationnoblefoster.org/.
  • Contact your local animal shelter or Animal Humane Association for other suggestions.

Before leaving your pet with someone for pet sitting, make sure the animal’s shots are up-to-date, and take it to a veterinarianfor a checkup.