Operation Baghdad Pups: No Buddy gets left behind

Amazing bonds are often formed by soldiers fighting in the Middle East with companion animals that they find in the war zone.

Often the animals are found starving and in poor health, but they respond well to regular meals and human attention. Having to leave their beloved, healthy dogs and cats behind to certain death in a hostile environment is heartbreaking.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals International has launched Operation Baghdad Pups to rescue and transport company mascots and companion animals that American soldiers have befriended while serving in the armed forces.

Charlie, a black and white mongrel pup, was near death when he was found and brought back to health by Charlie Company in Iraq. The efforts to bring Charlie back to a loving home is detailed on this website.

SPCA International is hoping to attract growing interest as people learn about their efforts on behalf of the troops and their furry buddies. They are committed to the idea that no healthy dog or cat be euthanized or abandoned to die.

SPCA International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. US Tax ID #87-0773320.

Thanks to Diamond Eyes, a most remarkable cat, for this story

Comments

[Diamond Emerald-Eyes]

Thanks for the link and for running the story on the War Woofies. I get sad, thinking that those nice Woofies get left over there because government won't pay for their transportation home. This is a very good SPCA program.

[schnoodlepooh]

we heard a story about a soldier who had befriended a puppy. the solder was killed and the puppy was shipped to his parents in the US. it was a great comfort to them, to have this puppy that their son had formed a bond with.

[Sophie Brador]

Wow! I'm sure these dogs and cats do so much more for the American soldiers than a lot of people can imagine. I'm sure for some of those guys, these creatures make a huge difference.

xo
SB

[Miss Trashahassee]

A very good program, indeed.

BFF,
Miss T

[teetotaled]

Wonderful program, I hope all of these animals can find great homes!

[cube]

Sweet. There is so much bounty in our country that certainly we can spare some for the furry ones.

[Coll]

Even in a place of war our fur friends provide what is needed most.. unconditional love.

[jackie]

as glad as I am that someone is giving a helping hand to those pets..I wish as many people would contribute money and care about the people that were bombing out of their homes...those animals might not be homeless and starving if G.Bush and his 'cronies' hadn't decided to try and bomb them into the stone ages...sigh*..oh well....

[amanda]

i think this is an amazing program, but i have a serious problem with their claim that it will cost $5,000 to bring each dog home. that's insane. we're flying how many planes in and out of Iraq every day? sure, the dogs need care, and they may need to be quarantined, but $1,000 for thirty days of quarantine- that's as expensive as boarding at my local new york city doggie daycare.
and the idea that dogs from IRAQ (temperatures up to 130 degrees) need special treatment to protect them from extreme temperatures?
i know people who've rescued dogs from overseas, and never heard figures like this- they must have contracted with Blackwater!

[jan]

This is the email I received from the SPCA:

Dear Jan.
we were floored by the expense, as well! But, it is really true. So many obstacles to overcome, and all super costly. I am forwarding your message to the team that is getting this done. You should hear from them soon.
Thank you for considering this worthy cause.
. http://www.spca.com

[Stephanie]

Dear Jan, Amanda and other readers,

Let me first begin with a big thank you! Thank you for loving animals as much as we do and thank you for taking the time to post information about Baghdad Pups and reply with comments.

The $5,000 figure you arrived at from our website text is incorrect and we are working to correct it. Our official estimate is $4,000 in overall costs for one animal. There are many variations that affect this cost including the weight of the animal, its health, and mode of transportation. We anticipate the cost of bringing a cat back to be much lower, but we expect to mainly be helping dogs. We have considered a lot of different expenses in this estimate including covering any costs for behavioral training and medical expenses after an animal is rescued and safely in the United States. Most military salaries can not handle veterinary care beyond the typical expenses, so SPCA International hopes to help cover unusual costs. We are also aware that dogs from Iraq will have lots of adjustments to make. It is very important to us at SPCA to not just bring a dog back, but make sure they aren’t surrendered and potentially euthanized because of behavioral concerns.

The logistics of getting a dog out of a war zone are a lot more complicated then simply shipping it from one country to another. First, it is against military regulations to befriend and rescue animals in war zones, so we cannot rely on any military planes to help with transportation and a majority of air traffic in and out of the region is military. Second, animals often get lost in transport. For example, in 44 Days Out of Kandahar, a dog named Cinnamon was shipped out of Afghanistan only to get lost in Turkey. We have to be prepared if something like this should happen. If it did, there is a possibility that we would have to fly someone to another country to help locate an animal. In that scenario, the total cost would well exceed $4,000.

We also have to purchase and ship approved airline crates to the soldier so they will have a safe and secure way to transport the animal. Sometimes these crates will have to be sent to remote regions of the Middle East.

We have also taken precautions to microchip all the animals before they travel which is another cost. We pay for all veterinary expenses throughout the process. There are greater concerns about the medical health of these animals as they will be receiving vaccinations for the first time prior to their leaving the Middle East. Transporting animals coming out of the Middle East is much different than transporting animals from western countries.

There are other administrative costs, but the major expenses are the ones I have just mentioned. Again, we really appreciate your involvement in the online animal-lover community. We encourage you to visit our website at www.SPCA.com and www.baghdadpups.com to stay informed about our continuing efforts.

May this holiday season bring you and your animals great joy and happiness.

Sincerely,

Stephanie
SPCA International

[IG]

Seriously, the SPCA are lying about these costs! for those who are considering donating to the SPCA new cause, speak FIRST with the folks at www.militarymascots.org

military mascots are the folks who know the truth about the costs to assist war zone pets as their program has been helping soldier's since 2003. they have helped hundreds of pets for soldier's from all over the world.
I have been in touch with them myself, and they have never HAD to pay 4-5,000 to assist and war zone pets. As far as loosing pets across the world, give me a BREAK!! The airline caters to any pet getng lost in transist (turkey or not!) and never would the spca have to fly over there themselves to collect a pet! the spca program is a bag of lies to the general public.

[Mark Feffer]

I must respectfully point out IG's post is incorrect in several areas. I am the Navy Reservist who adopted Cinnamon, the camp dog that was lost in transit in Kyrgyzstan. First, the SPCA expense figures are accurate, considering fees, airfare, etc. I have not calculated the veterinary bills we incurred when she got back to the US, but I can tell you that the estimates for the total expenses are fair. Second, the airlines were not helpful at all. Had we not had kind people in Kyrgyzstan willing to help us look for her, we would not have found her, since she was given away at the airport. Turkish Airways was unresponsive to our repeated attempts to make contact. On the way home, Cinnamon got no food, water or kennel breaks for 25 hours and our dog handler was not permitted to attend to her during the 4 hour layover in Moscow. I have been through this process. Take it from me, the SPCA program is fantastic, and is a means of supporting our military members and all animal lovers. I applaud them for it, and I know that any military member who adopts an animal from the war zone will be immensely grateful for this resource. Anyone interested in our story can read the details in "44 Days Out of Kandahar" www.44-days.com. P.S. Cinnamon's doing great!

[1LT Chris Aeillo]

The pooches need homes, "Automatic" and "Crazyeyes" are two of the most caring dogs you'll ever meet, they ran up to our dismounted patrol in 2006 and now have more than 50 under their belt. They continually get rocks thrown at them and been shot at and not only survive, but Crazy eyes will stand on for you on command, and Automatic will run to our soldiers from 300 meters away and wrap her front paws around our necks as if hugging. Anybody with information on how to get in touch with the International Vet Hospital please help. I'll cover vaccinations, and the platoon is raising the money to bring them home - how can I get a contact number to the transport place to make the trip. Thanks in advance from all of 2nd platoon
e-mail Dragbug@aol.com please if you have the time instead of posting!

[Louise]

I commend the soldier that took this dog for taking the risks he took to save it. I also run an animal rescue group in Baghdad, the only difference is that I don;t have the financial backing and all the help the soliders get as I am not a soldier. To date I have managed to get 6 cats and 3 dogs out of Iraq and back to the UK. The last one came into the UK on 8th Nov 08 and is now in quarantine for 6 months. I am struggling to pay all the costs associated with this so please visit the website www.baghdadcatrescue.com and try and leave a small donation. As I said, I do not get any financial backing from anyone on this and every penny comes from my own pocket which to date is aorund £30,000. I also help others get their animals out of Iraq and details of what I can do can be found on the website.