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Types Of Housing For Military Dogs In South California

By Kerri Stout


Americans today have a very special relationship with their canine companions. They experience these animals on multiple levels ranging from family members to working companions for the home or in some cases detecting specific items such as drugs, contraband or weapons. Armed forces personnel are not exempt from being part of the dog loving society. They experience their canine companions as beloved pets that need care while their masters are overseas and many of them encounter the working canines in combat zones. Housing for military dogs in South California is especially important to both types of dog and their owners.

When there are no family or friends that are able to take in your dog while you are gone options become scarce for most. For a long time the only options were to give the dog away or surrender it to a shelter and hope that it is placed rather than euthanized. Considering long term boarding is both too expensive and difficult to plan for because you do not know how long you will be out of the country.

Because this is such a common problem for military personnel agencies have been organized to assist with the problem. Their goal is to find people who are willing to foster the pets of soldiers while they are on active duty and they do this by posting the names and locations on internet bulletin boards that can be accessed by those in need. The fostering family is aware that they may have the dog for a very long time and many times will communicate with the soldier giving him or her updates on the dog and sharing pictures online of the dog.

Some of the agencies have ties to the armed forces and may restrict who can or cannot apply for the care but others are locally owned and operated. This service gives the troops sent into combat peace of mind about the well being of their animals at home. The other canines they encounter while deployed need a different type of caring home.

Combat units train and use up to three hundred dogs a year. They are used to help soldiers stay safe by detecting bombs or land mines among other duties. They previously have been considered excess equipment and either euthanized or abandoned in the country they worked in.

American people have petitioned to have these animals returned to America when their tour is complete. They have served the country well and saved thousands of lives in the process. Many soldiers wanted to adopt their dog when they returned home but the cost was prohibitive. In 2000 President Clinton enacted legislation that brings them home at government expense.

Many people feel that these animals deserve to live the final years of their lives in loving comfortable atmospheres. Adoption applications are numerous and there is currently at least a six month wait before an dog is available. The new owners are apprised that some additional training will be necessary while they make the transformation from working dog to pets.

With people becoming aware of the issues surrounding soldiers and their canines the agencies that help them may become more abundant especially near armed forces bases.




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