Help Bring Soldiers' Dogs Home

Have you been following the news about the Iraqi dog named Ratchet? Befriended and beloved by a U.S. soldier in Iraq, the formerly-homeless Ratchet was confiscated by the U.S. Military and not allowed to leave for the United States with his adoptive soldier. Care2 hosted a petition to help bring Ratchet home and the news media hopped on the bandwagon as well.

As of yesterday, due to the huge outpouring of outrage and the hard work of Operation Baghdad Pups, Ratchet was cleared to leave for the United States–but he missed his flight. Our fingers are tightly crossed that Ratchet makes it on his next flight, and is kept safe until then.

It’s hard to fathom the bond that a soldier might develop with a dog while employed oversees. And even harder to fathom that that bond not be honored by bureaucracy.

Fortunately, soldiers and their dogs have a network of advocacy with Operation Baghdad Pups, which was organized by the SPCA International. They have helped to successfully rescue many dogs befriended by our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, the logistics of moving animals from a war zone to a new home are extremely complicated and expensive.

SPCA International’s exhaustive efforts to rescue the mascots and companion animals of United States soldiers serving in the Middle East require extensive and diligent coordination of resources and expertise. But you can help! You can donate items to abet the effort–check this wish list. You can also make a financial donation to help bring these furry war heroes home.

Read more: Dogs, Pets, adoption, dogs, soldiers

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Micheal M.

12:28PM PDT on Mar 25, 2012

life has value beyond measure
Peace and Love

send a green star

paula e.

2:23PM PDT on Mar 16, 2012

Please give what you can. It means alot to the soldiers and the dogs and cats in the war zones are treated like garbage, tortured, killed without mercy.

Donna H.

10:37AM PDT on Mar 16, 2012

Hope Ratchet is now safely home. It is great that organisations exist to help reunite soldiers and their furry buddies, but disgraceful that the military is not prepared to do this themselves. If a dog has all its shots, is certified healthy and fit to travel, what is so wrong about letting them travel home alongside the troops?

Elizabeth G.

12:53PM PST on Jan 31, 2012

I think it's just fair with our soldiers after all they deserve it.

Bon L.

4:56AM PST on Jan 17, 2011

Thanks for the info.

Robert O.

10:25AM PST on Jan 16, 2011

Thanks.

Krista T.

8:47PM PDT on Apr 25, 2010

After all these soldiers have given for their country it is just so unbelievable that they would be denied to bring home the animal that they saved and became their friend that helped them make it through the night mare the soldier has gone through . Not a very good way to say thank you soldier for laying your life on the line..

Jacqueline B.

5:58PM PDT on Apr 3, 2010

There are still many animals hoping for miracles, the dream of staying with the soldiers that have given them love.

To read more about the animals trying to come home, visit www.childsafefoundation-usa.org read about Dangles a wounded dog in Iraq whose long awaited rescue is about to take place.

There are many more needing adopted animals in war zones waiting for their miracles, for others the miracle will be someone stepping in and helping them when they are left on the streets in a country that does not look kindly on stray animals.

a little bit of knowledge, a little bit of compassion will go a long way for these animals.

Niarica L.

4:20AM PDT on Mar 19, 2010

thanks

Teresa W.

9:31AM PST on Mar 11, 2010

The petition is already closed.