October 12, 2011

Article in Roxborough Review 10/4/11

Foster Homes Sought For Military Pets

by Sue Ann Rybak

Buzz Miller has always been involved in rescuing animals in need of caring homes. So, naturally when he heard that several pets were being dumped in shelters because men and women serving in the military were being shipped overseas and couldn’t find someone to care for them. He decided to start a military foster program.

“I go where the fires are,” Miller said. “It was horrible,” he said. "This was a tragedy that could be prevented," he said. "Especially for solders who are divorced or single who are risking their lives to serve our country," Miller said. "For many of these men and women serving in the military their pet may be their favorite and only companion."

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, about 63 percent of all households in the United States have a pet. The Pet Food Institute estimates about 75 million dogs and about 85 million cats are owned in this country.

“Sadly, many of our veterans will return missing limbs or scarred from the emotional trauma of combat,” he said.

Miller is hoping to build up an inventory of foster homes. He is trying to keep the foster families and the owners within a 60 mile radius of each other so the foster families can visit the pet in the future.

Andrew Chern said he didn’t know what he was going to do with his dog, Mac, a Siberian Husky, while he was in boot camp until he came across the PACT program.

He kept thinking “where is my dog Mac going to stay while I'm away?”

He wasn’t worried about his wife because she could stay at her Mom’s apartment while he was away. Unfortunately, the landlord only allowed tenants to have small dogs.

“Before finding PACT, we searched for friends that would be able to take in our dog and then eventually were told to give him away,” he said. “But, I wasn't going to allow that to happen… I had to find some way for us to keep Mac,” Chern said.

Chern started calling animal shelters to find out if they would take in Mac for a short period of time.

“An employee at the animal shelter suggested I try to find a program that specializes in military personnel’s pets,” he said. “Once they told me that, Google led my way to finding PACT,” Chern said. “I was so immeasurably relieved to find out that I wouldn't need to give Mac away,” he said. “Buzz found a marvelous family for Mac to stay with,” Chern said. “In the near future when I get my duty station, somewhere along the east coast, I too will be offering my home as a foster home for the PACT program,” he said. “The PACT program is such a lifesaver!”

Cyndy Weiner, who is a preschool teacher at West Hill in Rosemont, is currently fostering Mac, while his Chern is at boot camp.

“It’s a wonderful program,” she said. “We are allowed visitations afterwards,” she added. “It is wonderful to help out the men and women who are serving our country,” Weiner said.

“A friend thought I would be a good candidate for the program,” said Weiner. “Miller and Chern introduced the dog to my family so we could meet the dog and see if it was a good fit,” Weiner said.

“Mac is a marvelous dog,” she said. “He gives high-fives and kisses on command.”

“We just love having Mac,” Grant Weiner said. “He loves to play.”

Foster families and owners sign a contract stating that they will take care of the pet. Owners usually provide some kind of financial assistance to help take care of the dog or cat. One unique aspect of the program is that pet owners receive monthly e-mails from the foster parent. Weiner sends photos and brief e-mail about how Mac is adjusting to his new home to Chern.

In an e-mail Weiner sent to Andrew she wrote: “Mac has fit in wonderfully with our little zoo of five birds and a cairn terrier mix,” Weiner said. “Our three boys have been showing him off to their friends,” she said.

“Mac loves racing around the dog pen. Thank you for sharing your wonderful pet and it is a privilege to help you out as you serve in the military,” wrote Weiner.

“I am greatly impressed by the Military Foster Program created by PACT and PACT’s founder Buzz Miller,” said Brigadier General John Gronski. “The morale of our country’s troops, especially in war zones, is a necessary component to their well being,” he said. “We all know that in our country many companion animals are treated like another family member. Without a close family member or friend to care for them, military pet owners are forced to relinquish their beloved pets to animal shelters or rescue groups. With the probability of being reunited again scarce, pets are either (hopefully) relocated to a good home, or more likely, euthanized due to overcrowding in animal shelters. The Military Foster Program created by PACT and Buzz enables our to be deployed warriors the ability to have a loving foster home take care of their companion animal while they are serving our country,” Gronski said. “For the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect this country each and every day, PACT’s Military Foster Program provides the help and support they need that is so crucial to both the animal’s well-being and the owner’s peace of mind.”

“Many people ask me what they can do to support our troops,” he added. “Fostering a dog or cat is one of the things that will really make a difference to a soldier. It will really put a soldier's mind at ease knowing that the pet they love will be cared for while they are deployed to protect our liberty and freedom,” Gronski said. “This is a great way for the average American to contribute and support our brave Warriors.”