It is strongly recommended that you print this page for future reference; please read it entirely before submitting any pets needing a foster home. We retain the right to decline any request if requirements are unmet except in rare situations.
Deployments, for our foster home program, means where a unit or members of a specific unit (single or dual military) have received deployment orders related to a combat or peacekeeping or humanitarian mission only with a foster term of up to 1 year (depending on the branch of service).
Please submit the pet’s information at least 30 days before the “Foster Home Needed No Later Than” date when possible. The more time we have, the better we can assist you.
Note: Submissions received with less than 21 days between submission and a foster home is needed may require the pet to be boarded at the legal pet owner’s expense.
Submission Requirements
Step 1: Legal military pet owner or their authorized representative submits the appropriate pet submission document (one submission per pet)
Other Type of Pet Submission Form
Step 2: Letter from your Command (on Command letterhead)
(1) Confirming your deployment orders related to a combat or peacekeeping or humanitarian type mission
(2) That your pet will possibly be placed in a registered foster home through the Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet “Foster Home” program and
(3) They may contact our National office (254-248-1818) if something occurs at your end or
(4) Our National office may contact the command in a rare instance if required.
Step 3: If applicable, a Letter from the Spouse or Child’s Primary Care Physician (on the Physician’s letterhead) OR the “Exceptional Family Medical Program” (EFMP) caseworker confirming the significant medical/handicap situation (i.e., MS, Autism) impacting the spouse’s ability to care for the family pet(s) during deployment. This letter is required where the immediate family’s (spouse and children) ability is impacted to care for the family pet(s) due to a significant medical or handicap situation.
Step 4: Copy of each submitted pet’s current veterinarian records, which shows
(1) Required vaccinations, including Bordetella, are current (last date shots were given and next date shots to be given)
(2) Pet is altered
(3) Has been tested for Heartworm (results negative), and
(4) Record pet is Micro-chipped.
Note: Though we do not require a pet entering our program to be Micro-chipped, we do recommend it as an additional safety precaution.
Note: Step 2, 3, and 4 documents are to be faxed to our National office via Fax # 877-788-8048 or e-mailed as an attachment to militarypetprofile@gafsp.org as soon as possible so the assigned coordinator may begin to assist you. Our national office must receive these documents before placing pets in a foster home.
Other Responsibilities
In addition, the legal military/veteran pet owner or their authorized representative is responsible for the following:
1. Respond to phone calls or e-mails from the assigned Foster Coordination Liaison (FCL) volunteer as quickly as possible. Delay in doing so may impact how quickly we can assist. If you have not received a reply to calls or e-mails to the assigned FCL after 48 hours, please get in touch with our National office by e-mail, info@gafsp.org
Email Subject Line: (State) – (MSM Last Name) – (Pet Name)
Example: IL – Jones – Pet Rover
Note: If you have found a foster home on your own, please e-mail the assigned FCL and our National office, so the FCL can continue assisting other clients.
2. Participate in a “Meet & Greet” with the potential foster home between you, your pet, the foster home volunteer’s family, and their pets to determine if this is a good fit for your pet and if they are comfortable caring for it.
3. If both parties are comfortable, you and the foster home volunteer must prepare and sign the Fostering Written Agreement (FWA). The FWA will be attached to the “Meet & Greet” e-mail sent to the legal military pet owner and the chosen foster home. Be sure to read the entire agreement. Questions should be directed to the assigned Foster Coordination Liaison (FCL).
Note: The FWA is a binding document for all parties, so please complete each entry. Each party needs to retain a copy of the prepared/signed document.
4. The Foster Home caregiver must fax a copy of the prepared/signed Fostering Written Agreement to our National Office (Fax 877-788-8048) within 5 days after the pet(s) are placed in the foster home.
Failure to prepare and sign the FWA will be recognized as an agreement between you and the foster home only and outside of the Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet responsibility. Both parties must prepare and sign an FWA for your protection and that of your pet.