Help our soldiers in battle keep their pets

While in Iraq or Afghanistan, many of our troops rescue homeless animals who serve them as companions while they serve in war. Then the Military, in their infinite wisdom (:sarcasm:) confiscates and kills the animals rather than allowing them to go home with their people. This is shocking and horrible and terribly unfair to both our soldiers and their animal friends. Here's what you can do. Please read this and act accordingly. Thanks.

Change military policy about animals
Target:Department of Defense
Sponsored by: M.A.R.S. Safe Haven

NO BUDDY LEFT BEHIND : Helping soldiers keep their pets
Rescind General Order-1A provision against animals

From the war zones of Iraq and Afghanistan, we hear the heartwarming stories of Cinnamon, Lava, Charlie, Boo and Ratchet. They are the dogs of war - pets and mascots of our American soldiers who have rescued and cared for these animals trapped in the chaos of human conflict.

We also hear the tales of heartbreak. The pets and mascots of our soldiers are fugitives - victims a military order that requires the killing of animals harbored by American soldiers in combat zones.

Army Spc. Gwen Beberg rescued a homeless puppy from a burning pile of trash while on active duty in Iraq last May and named the puppy Ratchet. She says she could have not made it through her 13-month deployment without the companionship of Ratchet. But, Ratchet needed to be rescued a second time - this time from the United States military.

General Order 1A prohibits conduct that compromises characters and morale. This also includes a strict prohibition on the keeping of pets, even though soldiers' pets provide immeasurable comfort and would clearly enhance morale, not compromise it.

Because of these regulations the military has a habit of confiscating and killings animals rescued by our troops rather than allowing our men and women of the Armed Forces who have sacrificed so much to adopt and take home the animals that have helped them through the horrors of war.
Our troops and their pets should not suffer anymore. Urge the military to rescind this part of GO-1A.

Ratchet was lucky. Tens of thousands of citizens just like you signed a petition urging clemency for Ratchet. And, after several tries the wonderful people of the SPCA International's Operation Baghdad Pup program were able to secure his release and bring him home to Minnesota where he now waits for Sgt. Beberg's return.

Many other dogs and cats of our brave service men and women still need our help. Everyone of us, no matter our opinion of the current war is, can support our troops by asking the Department of Defense to immediately end their policy against confiscating and killing our soldiers rescued pets.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

It is time that Americans ask the Veterans Administration and military to embrace the mental health of all our soldiers.

Urge the Department of Defense to reverse military policy about soldiers keeping pets.

Tell them that a policy that includes a vaccination campaign would not only be good for public health, but also good for the soldier's morale.

And, finally show a cooperative spirit with the efforts of rescue groups helping those soldiers who wish to adopt their pets and transport them back to America for safe keeping. The benefits to the soldiers returning from war to find their pet waiting their for them is undeniably beneficial to the soldier's mental and emotional well being.

You can read more and sign a petition here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/change-military-policy-about-animals