Alabama Nonprofits’ New Program Is to Match Military Veterans with Adoptable Pets For FREE!

Dogs at rescue shelters don’t always get the chance to be adopted by the perfect family. When it comes to finding the ideal environment for a needy, homeless pet, those who work in rescue know that it can be tough. However, when the perfect match is found, it brings great happiness to both the pet and the new owner.

Military veterans are well aware that reintegrating into society after a traumatic experience can be challenging. Sadly, veterans are frequently forgotten and not all people understand their situation. Keeping them involved and giving them a sense of belonging through the use of companion animals is a terrific approach to achieve this.

The Veterans Administration and two nonprofit organizations in Alabama dedicated to assisting both of these groups have joined up to create an experimental project. Their aim is for the veterans to be partnered with a dog or cat companion for free.

The Facebook page of the first nonprofit, Vettes 4 Vets explained that it “plans, organizes, and oversees one or more fundraising events annually to help our veterans,” and the “event proceeds are distributed to select individuals and/or non-profit organizations and/or entities in good standing, who help Veterans, current military personnel, and/or their family members in distress and/or need or a related cause.”

This year, the group has contributed up to $1,000 to help homeless pets find permanent homes in veteran families through a collaboration with the charity organization, “Two by Two Rescue.”

The original idea for the partnership came from Mark Davis, the person who founded “Vettes 4 Vets” with the aim of serving struggling veterans by giving them a free adoption service.

Pet adoption is not always prohibitive but starting a process designed exclusively for veterans and canceling the adoption fees is a thoughtful approach to pay back those who have already sacrificed so much for our country.

As reported by the “Sun,” each dog or cat must first be brought up to date on immunizations and neutered or spayed before being vetted. This process can cost roughly $300 per animal, according to Sonya King, founder of Two by Two Rescue. And that can be too much for some people.

However, the rescue is pleased to have formed a formal collaboration with another organization that is dedicated to serving veterans and can help spread the news about their new program. In the past, the rescue has also offered veterans who were interested in adopting a pet a discounted price and sometimes even a fee exemption.

Gary Nelson, chairman of the board for Vettes 4 Vets said, “For us, it’s a trial.”

If everything goes as planned, the $1,000 donation will only be the start, and the two groups have decided to begin by preparing eight pets for their veterans program this year.

The pets that Two by Two Rescue has to offer veterans are primarily companions or emotional support animals. The rescue has partnered with Service Dogsz, a Denver-based company that trains dogs to aid veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). So they are hoping that they could send some dogs over for training in the near future.

If these efforts are successful, fundraising will be a part of the future for all of the organizations involved. Veterans who are interested in applying are encouraged to do so. There are no strict requirements to be eligible for the program.