5 Soldiers Pups Held at JFK Airport in Need of Support

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    Photo courtesy of Paws of War

    In order to save five puppies from a remote country for five U.S. Army National Guard members, Paws of War rushed to import the dogs into the country. Despite the dogs having clean health certificates, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regulations require additional paperwork.

    This has led to the dogs being held in a facility at the airport, which comes with a great expense to the organization. They have come this far, and the organization won’t let the soldiers down. Paws of War is now on a mission to help them get the puppies back and is seeking the help of those in the community to speed the process up.

    Photo courtesy of Paws of War

    “We are always willing to step in and help our soldiers, even when there are issues like this,” explains Derek Cartwright, a veteran and the coordinator for Paws of War. “They do so much for us, it’s the least we can do for them, but we can’t do it alone. We need the support of others to help make it happen.”

    The five puppies, Recce (pronounced Wrecky), Marco, Sarabi, Avery, and Modi were born on the base where the U.S. Army National Guard soldiers were deployed. The soldiers knew if they didn’t step in to care for and protect the pups, they surely would not survive. It’s an area of the world that is known for treating dogs harshly.

    Photo courtesy of Paws of War

    The soldiers, who are all from Virginia, doted on the pups and considered the moments spent with them a blessing. Strong bonds formed between the dogs and the soldiers as the days passed. Yet the risks to the pups were everywhere, wild animals, toxic materials, and some locals who had shot some dogs in the past were all a constant threat and worry to the soldiers. As the pups grew and the date for the soldiers to deploy home got closer, a desperate plea to save the dogs was sent out. The soldiers began searching for any way to keep their beloved pups. One soldier reached out to Paws of War, who stepped up to save the dogs.

    “These puppies have been a huge morale booster for us and knowing they are going to be safe living with us in the U.S. means a ton to me and my family,” says Sergeant Chase.

    While Paws of War has helped with many such rescues, this one was a bit more complex. It involved the soldiers and villagers working together using boats, cars, people, and even donkey carts to get the pups to a safe location where they could be fostered, loved, and receive the veterinary treatment they needed. With all the paperwork and months of trying to secure flights from this remote spot, the dogs were safely sent to the U.S. with travel passports. A miscommunication regarding Centers for Disease Control and Prevention paperwork has put the dogs into quarantine at a substantial cost that the organization is struggling to cover.


    “Every day to be able to see these pups was such a blessing to me. Recce and I quickly created an inseparable bond. As soon as he saw me, he would run straight up, climb in my lap and fall asleep,” says Sergeant Johns. “My wife and I cannot wait to have Recce in our home as part of our family. We are a dog family to our bones.”

    These pups are so close to being reunited with their soldiers. We can’t let them down. Please help support getting these dogs to safety. There are substantial costs involved in getting them back, and Paws of War is turning to people in the community to help chip in and cover them. The most critical element is raising the funds to cover the expenses. Paws of War is planning a reunion in Virginia for these soldiers to be reunited with their pups. To support the mission by donating, please visit: https://pawsofwar.networkforgood.com/projects/174703-5-soldier-s-pups-need-help.

    Paws of War has been operating worldwide since 2014, helping the military save the animals they rescue while deployed overseas. They have helped veterans with numerous issues, including suicide, service and support dogs, companion cats and dogs, food insecurity, veterinary care, and animal rescue for deployed military. As the demand for Paws of War’s services grew, traditional fundraisers like galas and golf outings were sidelined, putting a crimp in the needed funding to keep these services going. Paws of War has a large loyal following of supporters and looks forward to working with new corporate sponsors to support these life-saving programs running.

    To learn more about Paws of War and the programs provided or donate, visit its site at: http://pawsofwar.org.

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