“Pathetic-looking” rescue dog saves disabled veteran from depression

Frank and Gus

When depression took its toll on a disabled Vietnam veteran whose dog had just died, he knew it was time to save another last-chance rescue dog. In the process, he saved himself. Born in Chicago, Frank was a toddler when his family moved to the San Francisco Bay Area. In 1973, he relocated to San Diego, a place where he loves to live and volunteer. In 1974, Frank joined the Navy reserves as a cryptology and radar specialist. He spent 20 months on an aircraft carrier off the Vietnam coast and the remainder of his enlistment as assistant to an admiral in Miramar, California. “I never Continue reading …

Last chance to make your 2011 donation

Mario Kona live serve love

If you haven't already included Pets for Patriots in your year-end giving plans, there's still a few hours left! In addition to the tax benefits of contributing to our cause, your gift will support veteran and service members of the United States military whose lives are forever changed through companion pet adoption. Your support of Pets for Patriots helps fund our work that provides: Direct financial support to military members towards the purchase of pet food and other essentials Surrender prevention for last-chance pets adopted through our program by helping to make pet adoption Continue reading …

Changing lives coast to coast

Jacob, Sophie and family

When I wrote to you earlier this week I told you that we were changing lives coast to coast and had 60 honorable adoptions to celebrate. That number is now 62, and will likely grow in the coming days as a record number of veterans and service members are joining our program to give a last-chance pet a second chance at life. Since my earlier message, we had two adoptions that highight our growing national footprint. In upstate New York, Leland, a Navy veteran, honorably adopted an adult cat named Cow (yes, Cow!). On the other coast, a formerly stray Boxer mix named Sophie was saved by a Continue reading …

Last-chance pets transform veterans’ lives

Kip & Céilidh

As 2011 draws to a close, we celebrate the 60 last-chance pets who are transforming the lives of veterans and service members in need. They're the adult dogs and cats, large dogs and special needs pets who faced near-certain death at a shelter if not adopted. Today, because of our organization and your support, they have a second chance at life. The human side of this story is no less dramatic. Sixty heroes from virtually every generational conflict: World War II, Vietnam, Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan. Men and women who have defended the cause of freedom in Bosnia, Lebanon, Grenada and countless Continue reading …

Retired disabled Army dog needs help to walk again

Koady and Santo

Santo is a disabled, retired bomb-sniffing dog recently discharged from the Army and barely able to use his hind legs. His handler and now owner is a three-tour combat veteran of both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars who, in spite of being recently discharged and currently unemployed, adopted the military working dog (MWD) when he learned that he was going to be killed. Koady, his then-handler and now owner, knows that Santo's keen nose saved the lives of many of his fellow soldiers - including his own. Santo's problems starting during his tour in Afghanistan. He was eventually returned to Continue reading …

WWII Marine veteran fearless about pet adoption and life

Bee and Laddie

When the Marines talk about the few and the proud, they obviously had Bee, a WWII veteran in mind. Bee is 88 years young as of this writing and adopted an adult shelter dog who stole her heart. In 1945, Bee enlisted in the Marine Corps and remained in service until the war was over. Because women were not allowed overseas, she worked for a warrant officer as a shipping receiver in Quantico, where the Officers Training Camp was located. Boot camp remains a powerful memory of that time in her life. “It was an unusual choice for women to enlist, but I did it because I was bound and Continue reading …

Coast Guard and Marines compete to adopt pets

Mike and Makowski

It's on! Coast Guard versus Marines  in a competition to see who can be top dog in adopting pets. Sort of... If you're a Facebook fan, you know that in the morning of December 7 we shared the news that Michael, an active duty Coast Guardsman serving in Virginia, was honorably adopted by a stunning black lab named Makowski. We thank our partners at the Portsmouth Humane Society for helping us create this dynamic duo. Michael's wife, Theresa, summed up their feelings: Thank you for all of your help and support in helping us get the newest member of our family! We love Makowski very much Continue reading …

Rescued dog helps veteran find joy in life

Red close up

Red is a rescued dog who honorably adopted a disabled Vietnam-era veteran named Bobby, bringing many smiles and much joy back into her life. Together they share their journey with Pets for Patriots and the veterans we serve every day. Well it's been a while, but Pets for Patriots is anything but forgotten. Congrats on the two year mark! As you can see Red is doing great, just bigger then he was. He has more then taken over the house, and I would never have it any other way. That, and he makes a great back warmer on cool evenings. As you can see Red has even taken over my bed. He and I have Continue reading …

Two years connecting veterans and last-chance pets

Pets for Patriots website

At Pets for Patriots, we're offering new ways to connect veterans with last-chance pets as part of a major relaunch in celebration of our two-year anniversary.  Since receiving our not-for-profit status, Pets for Patriots has transformed more than 100 lives of pet and person through our honorable adoption program. Veterans who have benefited from our charity range from a young Air Force couple who saved a three-legged Great Dane to a 90 year-old WWII veteran whose adoption of a little dog named Gizmo was a one-in-a-million event. Since its launch, Pets for Patriots has started its program Continue reading …

National Adopt a Senior Pet month helps older pets find new homes

Woman and old dog

November is National Adopt a Senior Pet month, during which time the benefits of senior pet adoption are promoted by shelters, rescues and humane societies around the country. At Pets for Patriots, we focus on adult and other “at risk” shelter pets year-round because we know that while many people think they’re less adoptable, they often make the best companions. So what makes a pet a senior? While there’s no absolute standard, many animal welfare organizations and veterinary specialists consider a dog or cat to be a senior citizen after five years of age; for others it’s seven and Continue reading …

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