Instructions
Check on her pets while she's deployed. If you live nearby, offer to check on the soldier's pets while she's overseas. The animal can stay in an environment it's used to and still have someone to look out for its welfare. You can also organize a group of people to check on the animal, to ensure there's always someone available to feed and water the animal or take it to the vet.
Foster an animal. If you don't have pets, or think your pets and the new animal can get along, offer to let it live with you while its owner is gone. You'll need the pet's owner to provide you with its history, so you can be aware of any medical or behavior problems you may need to address. You'll also need to agree to a plan about how to care for the animal. For example, the owner may want it taken to the groomer once a week, or taken for walks twice a day. Before you agree to foster a soldier's animal, ask him exactly what kind of care he wants the animal to have so you'll know if you can provide it. The American Humane Association recommends having a written agreement covering what kind of care is expected by the owner, and what the foster parent should do if an emergency arises.
Keep the owner updated. If you can't provide hands-on care for the animal, help its owner keep up with its well-being. You can send pictures and videos, or write the soldier regular updates about the animal's health and behavior. This helps the soldier feel close to the pet even when she's thousands of miles away and lets her know what to expect when she returns home. If it's allowed where the soldier is stationed, you can also let her see her pet in real time via webcam.
Volunteer for an animal welfare organization. Several animal rescue groups have programs for pets of deployed soldiers. These groups connect soldiers with people in their area who can foster their pets until they return. You can volunteer to be a foster pet parent or offer to provide assistance to help the organization continue to operate. For example, you can donate money, food or other supplies, or offer your time for everything from paperwork to answering the phones.
How to Help Soldiers With Their Pets While They Are Deployed
Soldiers who are deployed may have little time to make arrangements for their pets before they leave, resulting in thousands of pets who need care until their owners return. Operation Noble Foster, for example, has found foster homes for over 5,000 cats since 2001. With deployments lasting anywhere from a few months to a couple of years, it can be difficult for soldiers to find someone willing to manage everything from obedience training to vet visits. You can ease the burden on a soldier by offering to take on some of these duties while he's away.