Air Force Cadet Ryan Griggs: a senior in criminology, runs with his dog Kodi on Auburn's campus. Guardian Angels for Soldier' Pet puts dogs whose owners have been deployed into foster homes until the soldiers comes home. Lindsey Davidson / PHOTO EDITOR
Organization places deployed troops' animals in foster homes
Many deployed soldiers are forced to give up their beloved pets because they have no one to take care of the animals. Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet is an organization that sets up foster homes for the soldiers’ pets.
Linda Spurlin-Dominik, National President of Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet, said the organization was formed after they became aware of the problems military service members were having finding homes for their pets during their deployment. Soldiers often had to give their pets to a humane society or shelter.
“An individual signs up with our organization with an interest to open their home to a pet while the pet owner is deployed,” Spurlin-Dominik said.
There are three requirements to qualify as a pet foster home. Foster pet owners must open their homes to the pet or pets, ensuring the pets remain in a caring, loving, healthy and safe environment and relinquish the pet back to its owner when he or she returns safely from deployment.
“We are not only helping our military people, but we also help the shelters so that there are less animals surrendered to them,” Spurlin-Dominik said.
Soldiers being deployed may submit information regarding their pet on the organization’s Web site. To be eligible, a pet must be up to date on shots, spayed or neutered and have a certificate of health.
“If I was single and she needed a temporary home, that would be great,” said Ryan Griggs, a senior in criminology and an AS400 in the Air Force.
Expenses are usually covered by the pet owner. However, some foster homes will choose to cover the cost of food.
“We’ve had 11 pets reunited with their owners in the last year,” Spurlin-Dominik said.
The organization, which has existed since 2005, is still working to find enough volunteers and foster homes so pets will be taken care of while their owners are deployed.
Ashley Gill of Auburn became the Alabama Director of Volunteers last month.
“There are currently about 30 pets in foster care through the organization,” Gill said. “We need to have a few foster homes ready before Alabama troops are deployed.”
The organization is looking for volunteers in Alabama and at the national level to help recruit, interview and keep track of foster homes.
Gill said people should get involved in the organization because American troops are sacrificing so much, and taking care of their pets is a small sacrifice we can make for them.
“We need people who will contact the foster homes and do home visits to make sure that everything is set up,” Gill said. “We also need help spreading the word.”
Becoming a foster home for a soldier’s pet can be personally rewarding in addition to being helpful to American soldiers.
“Being able to keep in touch with a soldier while they are overseas and sending pictures of their pets to them, makes you feel so good,” Gill said. “While it will be difficult to give the pet back after caring for it for several months, seeing the look on the soldier’s face as their pet runs up to them will be worth more than anything in the world.”
Katie Newton, a junior in biomedical sciences, said she would definitely foster a soldier’s animal.
“I want to do anything I can to help those who are working overseas for me and our country,” Newton said. “It’s such a minute favor, considering all they do.”
To become a volunteer, a foster home or place your pet in a foster home during your deployment, visit guardianangelsforsoldierspet.org.
“The best way to get involved is to open your home to a dog or cat for 3-18 months,” Gill said. “If you are unable to have pets, but still want to get involved, you can become a volunteer.”
