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Deployment always comes with a maze of preparations. When you have a pet, this adds a whole new layer of concern. Beyond finding the right place, there are legal and financial considerations in preparing for your absence.

Usually, the first reliable source of pet care is your family or friends If you do not have a spouse or roommate that can care for your pet, often times extended family or friends may be a solid alternative. The key is marrying the right support person to the pet. For small animals that require little more than feeding, any responsible adult may do. For Buster the 110-lb Labrador that runs 3 miles a day with you, the couch potato apartment-dweller or older person may not be the right match. Hopefully, that right person exists in your social network who knows and enjoys your pet, and is willing to commit to his or her care.

If you do not have that type of personal support network, or all who are willing cannot take your pet due to lease restrictions, there are non-profit alternatives who will care for your pet while you are deployed. Two nation-wide organizations offer largely free fostering services. The first is Net Pets Inc. (https://www.netpets.org). They have established a fostering program for all types of military dependent animals- from small animals all the way to horses. For cat owners, there is an alternate organization staffed by Pure Breed Cat Rescue but embracing all feline friends for the purposes of deployment. Their military service branch is Operation Noble Rescue (http://www.operationnoblefost er.org/).

Both organizations offer long term fostering with caring individual. They agree to foster for your entire tour and relinquish your pet at the end of your tour. Whether it is for 2 weeks of training or eighteen months in country, they will give you this support free of charge in recognition of your service to country.

Once you have the caregiver, make sure you make appropriate legal and financial arrangements to support your pet. The Humane Society of the United States (https://www.hsus.org has a pet care agreement that you can use if you have an individual caring for your dog. The pet care organizations will have their own, and often have the resources to provide emergency care.

Whether with a family member or an organization, certain issues must be addressed before you leave.

*Ensure your care-giver has access to all your pets health records.

*Ensure your pet's vaccinations are up to date.

*Provide some means of contact in an emergency, if at all possible.

*If your pet takes medications, make sure to leave a 90-day supply and the refill prescriptions.

Although both are difficult questions, your care-giver agreement should include provisions for where your pet should go if either the care-giver cannot remain the care-giver, or in the event you are disabled or deceased. While not something that you want to consider, you must do this for the same reason you write a will prior to deployment.

Both your own social network and these organizations are here to support and protect your pet as you support and protect the nation. With some prior-planning, you can rest assured your best friend is in good hands.

Learn more about this author, Beth Coughlin.
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