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Iraq veteran Mario adopted Kona, a special needs Malamute mix, through the Pets for Patriots program. (Photo courtesy of Pets for Patriots)

Iraq veteran Mario adopted Kona, a special needs Malamute mix, through the Pets for Patriots program.

Photo courtesy of Pets for Patriots

Out of the Cage! (April 2011)

Pets for Patriots Creates Special Bonds Between Shelter Animals and Military Personnel

Beth Zimmerman grew up in a household that adopted dogs from local animal shelters, and discovered early in life the transformative love that a companion animal can bring into a home. Beth's parents also instilled in all their children a strong sense of patriotism for our country, and an abiding respect for those who serve it.

So it's not surprising that this Long Beach, New York, resident combined her two passions to create Pets for Patriots, a non-profit organization that helps to create unique opportunities for members of the military community to adopt adult and other at-risk pets from shelters and rescue groups. The program connects service and veteran members of the U.S. military with the growing number of shelters and rescue groups that participate in the Pets for Patriots program.

Pets for Patriots adoptions focus on adult dogs and cats, large dogs, and pets with special needs — those animals that typically are harder to place into permanent homes than younger animals. To help adopters manage the financial costs associated with caring for a pet, the program partners with veterinarians who provide a minimum, ongoing 10-percent discount to Pets for Patriots adopters. In addition, once a veteran in the program completes an eligible adoption, the charity provides a generous gift card to help make the purchase of food, supplies, toys, and other pet basics easier.

With help from Pets for Patriots, Navy veteran Foy now shares his life with General Sam (shown) and Sargent Susie. (Photo courtesy of Pets for Patriots)

With help from Pets for Patriots, Navy veteran Foy now shares his life with General Sam (shown) and Sargent Susie.

Photo courtesy of Pets for Patriots

"Our goal is to make the benefits of shelter pet adoption a reality for all military personnel who want a new pet friend," says Beth, "and ensure they enjoy many years of friendship, companionship, and joy with their honorably adopted dog or cat."

Beth explains that what makes Pets for Patriots unique is its exclusive commitment to hard-to-place pets and military personnel at any stage of their careers . "We are one of the only organizations dedicated to these two populations," she says. "We have the power, the desire, and the commitment to change lives for the better every day — both for our adopters and the animals they save."

Pets for Patriots has successfully paired more than 15 shelter pets with adopters in the military since July 2010. One successful Pets for Patriots adoption involved Mario, a three-tour Iraq veteran who adopted Kona, a sick and injured dog who helps motivate him to stay healthy in the face of an unexpected diagnosis. Then there's Foy, a disabled Navy veteran who had begun to feel alone and isolated. Foy found a true companion in General Sam, a five-year-old dog whose previous owners had died. Foy recently saved another adult dog, Sargent Susie.

Pets for Patriot: Bring Loyalty Home features Charles, a Pets for Patriots family member, volunteer, and 90-year-old World War II veteran.

Video by Pets for Patriots

Pets for Patriots is creating these kinds of heart-warming matches around the country. As Beth expands the program — particularly to those areas that have a high density of military personnel and are more attuned to veterans' causes — she is recruiting more and more shelters, rescue groups, and veterinarians to participate in the Pets for Patriots program. She invites any and all adoption organizations and veterinarians to contact the organization if they are interested in becoming a Pets for Patriots participant.

To learn more about Pets for Patriots and their lifesaving work, please visit the website at www.petsforpatriots.org.