- A: We are every day people wishing to support our Troops
and their animal friends. The effort was founded June 2003 by Bonnie Buckley
of Massachusetts and began with
an Iraqi puppy named Dusty. Bonnie is backed by the volunteered support
of civilians and military folks from across the Nation and Abroad. (USO
director, military parents & spouses, pilots, active & retired
military, veterinarian's).
- Bonnie caters to the logistics & flight arrangement's
and all contact with the Service Members and their families. Mascot volunteer's
greet the pets as they arrive on commercial flights from overseas, the
volunteer's clear customs with the pet's and place them on to their connection
flights for home.
Q: How does this effort work?
A: When contacted by a Service Member who request
help, we will help locate a Veterinarian and/or Humane Society who
may be able to assist them on their side of the world. A veterinarian to
examine the dog or cat to be sure he/she is healthy, de-worm & vaccinate
for rabies & distemper 30+ days prior to travel. Care packages are
then offered to them with items they will need to help care for their friend
and keep them healthy while deployed. When the time comes for shipment
to the US, we are happy to work with the above contacts to help the soldier's
bring their mascot's home on commercial airline's.
Q: Does Military Mascots pay
the shipping fees for the Soldiers?
A: Financial assistance is offered when possible
via the donations of generous supporters. We suggest once a Soldier's Mascot
has been added to the website, that they share the web link with friends
and family so they can help show their donation support as well. We have raised
thousands of dollars to help support our Troops with their mascots, therefore we
do assist with all expenses when funds are available.
Q: What does your program pay
for?
A: Care Packages: the packs include pet food, treats,
flea & tick products, vitamins, de-worming medications, eye & ear
care products, toys, leash, collar, health care advice and many of the
same items your pets here at home have. We believe our Service Member's
need our support for their mascot friends while they serve for our Country,
these pets are providing a much needed morale boost and provide them with
a touch of "home". Included in these packs are foods & fun
items for the Soldier as well.
We will pay for boarding fees for mascots unable to be
picked up at the Airport on their arrival day if a volunteer is not able
to foster them over night for the family.
Q: Do you offer Transportation for
Mascots on their arrivals in the US.
A: Yes, if needed or requested. There are volunteer's
willing to greet and clear customs at Airport's, put mascot's on to a connection
flight for their homes and/or help with ground transportation if needed. We also
hire the help of Veterinary Clinics or boarding kennels when needed.
Q: Who will you help?
A: We will support any US Service Member who has befriended
a mascot on foreign ground while deployed. We are not able to support every
animal that a soldier may come across while deployed, however contacts
for Humane Center's will be researched and provided to assist those animal's
to help find them homes within their Country.
Q: Can you provide us with the Name
& Contact Information to ship Care Packs directly to the Soldier's
who have a Mascot?
A: At this time all Mascot packages are mailed by Bonnie
Buckley directly to the Soldiers. The best way to help the soldiers &
their friends is to donate funds so that the
required items can be purchased and shipped to them. You are invited to
sponsor a care package and send along a letter
to the Soldier, your letter will be included inside their care packs letting
them know that you have have helped sponsor their package(s). The soldier's
are under no obligation to make contact with those who donate towards care
packages.
**If you wish to "Adopt a Soldier" and show
your support with mail and packages, please visit -
HERE - and -HERE-
. There are many Military Support Groups in place across the US who have
Service Members from all branches of the Military seeking support, many
of these groups have permission from the Soldier's to provide their contact
information to the public for their support.
Q: Our organization would like
to link our website to Military Mascots, how should the weblink read?
- Military Mascots - "Supporting Deployed Service
Members and The Mascots They Love"
Feel free to use the below graphic.
Copyright © 2003-2007 Bonnie Buckley- Military
Mascots
