Paws of War is calling on the public to help show their military support by saving their puppies

NESCONSET, N.Y. – (March 12, 2026) – Currently, millions of Americans are saddened by the news of seven of our military members lost in the war taking place in Iran. It has made many people in the country wonder what they can do to step up and show their support for the troops, regardless of how they feel about the politics of it all. Paws of War is providing people a solid way to help show their support for the troops and help some rescued puppies at the same time, making it a win-win solution.

“We have the utmost respect for our troops, and are committed to doing everything we can to help with this situation,” said Derek Cartwright, U.S. Army veteran and international logistics coordinator at Paws of War. “I know there are many people who also want to help show their support and helping to save these pups is a great way to do it.”

The oil pit pups, as they are being called, were saved by U.S. soldiers and a Navy veteran who were all overseas. When they heard the frantic yelps of nearby puppies, they ran to the scene only to find that two puppies from the litter had fallen into the oil pit that is used for vehicle maintenance and were drowning. The group wasted no time in stepping up to help save the two, and took them and their mother and siblings to a safe place where they can give them the care they desperately needed.

Being left behind in the Middle East, the group of dogs is sure to be severely injured or killed. The group reached out to Paws of War to help ensure that doesn’t happen, asking them to help get them all relocated to America, where they can live out the rest of their lives in comfort and safety with the people who rescued and bonded with them. As a Paws of War in-progress War-Torn rescue, the plans are already being laid out to ensure this mission is a success, but the one thing that it still needs is support from the public.

Missions such as these are costly with a lot of red tape and fees, and they can use all the donations they can get to ensure all conditions are met along the way. There are five puppies that have been rescued, along with their mother, and there are four military heroes who are waiting to adopt them. Members of the public can feel good knowing they are showing their support to our troops by getting involved, as well as helping to rescue some innocent puppies from the harsh realities of the Middle East. The War-Torn Pups & Cats program reunites military personnel with the animals they rescue and bond with while serving overseas. It’s a program that is provided with no cost to the soldiers.

“Let’s all pull together and to see this mission through,” said Cartwright. “We want our soldiers and veterans to know we support them, their efforts, and all the sacrifices they make for our nation every day.”

To help support the mission to rescue the oil pit pups, visit the site at: https://www.pawsofwar.org/?form=SaveTheOilPitPuppies

Paws of War focuses on helping active duty soldiers and veterans in various ways. They have helped relocate the rescued pets of overseas military members. They have helped veterans with numerous issues, including suicide prevention, service and support dogs, companion cats and dogs, food insecurity, veterinary care, etc. 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. To donate to help their missions, visit their site at http://pawsofwar.org.

About Paws of War

Paws of War is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization that assists military members and their pets, rescues and trains dogs to be service dogs, and provides companion animals to veterans and first responders. To learn more about Paws of War and the programs provided or donate, visit its site at http://pawsofwar.org.

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#AlvinFoo

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During this holiday season, Paws of War is on a mission to deliver gratitude, joy, and much-needed supplies to U.S. military dog handlers and their K-9 partners overseas

NESCONSET, N.Y. – (December 2, 2025) – The holiday season is a special time of the year when people give to others to show their gratitude and appreciation for all that they do year-round. Now, people have a unique and critical opportunity to give back to dog handlers in the U.S. military who are stationed overseas. Paws of War is on a holiday mission to send special care packages to U.S. K-9 teams overseas and is seeking community members to help ensure its success.

“We are all so honored to help support them in doing what they do for our country,” said Derek Cartwright, U.S. Army veteran and international logistics coordinator for Paws of War. “We know people are looking for ways to support military members, and we would love for them to join us with this mission.”

Not only is it the season of giving, but Giving Tuesday is also upon us, reminding us to give now and beyond. Paws of War is seeking monetary donations of all sizes to help fill the care packages being sent to military bases overseas. The care packages will include sun goggles, socks for handlers, Kong toys for the K-9s, hydrating drinks, cooling fans, booties for the dogs, and more.

Individually, it would be difficult for people to make much of a difference in getting a care package to military members stationed overseas. By coming together to help Paws of War with their care package mission, we can make a significant impact that will be appreciated by all those who receive the items. By teaming up with Paws of War to provide the care packages, people will show their appreciation and support, help them feel more connected to home during the holidays, boost their morale, and provide them with practical supplies. It also helps to create a sense of community between military members and civilians.

“This is a great time to get in on the mission and excellent care packages that they are going to use and love,” said Cartwright. “We invite everyone to give a monetary donation in any amount to help and appreciate everyone’s effort in helping these military members.”

To get more information and make a donation to help with the K-9 care packages, visit the site at: https://pawsofwar.org/?form=MWDHolidayMission

Paws of War focuses on helping active duty soldiers and veterans in a variety of ways. They have helped relocate the rescued pets of overseas military members. They have helped veterans with numerous issues, including suicide prevention, service and support dogs, companion cats and dogs, food insecurity, veterinary care, etc. 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. To donate to help their missions, visit their site at http://pawsofwar.org.

About Paws of War

Paws of War is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization that assists military members and their pets, rescues and trains dogs to be service dogs, and provides companion animals to veterans and first responders. To learn more about Paws of War and the programs provided or donate, visit its site at http://pawsofwar.org.

The post Paws of War Launches Holiday Mission to Support U.S. Military K-9 Teams Overseas appeared first on Good News!.

DO YOU KNOW THE SIGNS OF OSTEOARTHRITIS (OA) IN DOGS? OA IS A CHRONIC AND PAINFUL JOINT DISEASE THAT CAN SEVERELY AFFECT YOUR DOG’S HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.

STUDIES SHOW 40% OF DOGS FEEL PAIN FROM OA, BUT ONLY ABOUT HALF GET DIAGNOSED.^[i],[ii]

FOR PAIN AWARENESS MONTH, VETERINARIAN DR. COURTNEY PIERCE, MEDICAL LEAD FOR CANINE PAIN AT ZOETIS (“ZOH-EHT-ISS”), IS HERE TO TALK ABOUT HOW OA AFFECTS DOGS, INCLUDING INSIGHTS FROM HER DOG ERNIE’S EXPERIENCE WITH THE DISEASE, HOW TO LOOK OUT FOR SIGNS OF OA PAIN AND AVAILABLE TREATMENT OPTIONS TO HELP CONTROL THE PAIN CAUSED BY OA.

[i] IHS Markit. (2021) Canine and Feline Pain Market 2021: Animal Health Market Analysis.​

[ii] Wright A, Amodie DM, Cernicchiaro N, et al. Identification of Canine Osteoarthritis Using an Owner-Reported Questionnaire and Treatment Monitoring Using Functional Mobility Tests. J Small Anim Pract. 2022;63(8):609-618.

BIO  

Dr. Courtney Pierce received an undergraduate degree in animal science and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from North Carolina State University. She earned her Master of Business Administration (MBA) from King University. She is a small animal general practitioner with special interests in surgery and pain management, feline medicine, and compassion fatigue prevention in veterinary health care workers. She is a certified as a “Cat Friendly Veterinarian” and Compassion Fatigue Profession (CCFP). Dr. Pierce lives on a small farm in Damascus, Virginia with her husband, two young boys, four rescue dogs, one orange cat, and several chickens.

Short:

Dr. Courtney Pierce is a small animal veterinarian with special interests in surgery and pain management and is the medical lead for canine pain at Zoetis. Dr. Pierce lives in Damascus, VA with her husband, two boys and a variety of companion and farm animals.

#dogs #drcourtneypearce #courtneypearce #veterinarian #medical

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A reef in waters off Tahiti, French Polynesia. Countries and territories including Chile, Colombia and others pledged 20 new marine protected areas on Friday.  Credit…Daniel Cole/Associated Press

More than 20 new marine protected areas in coastal waters were announced at the third U.N. ocean conference this week. Experts say thousands more are needed.

Remote coral atolls in the Caribbean. Habitat for threatened sharks and rays around a Tanzanian island in the Indian Ocean. And 900,000 square kilometers of the Pacific Ocean around French Polynesia.

These are some of the millions of acres of water now set aside as part of an international goal to protect 30 percent of the ocean by 2030. More than 20 new marine protected areas were announced at the third United Nations Ocean Conference, which ended on Friday in France.

Countries and territories pledging new areas included Chile; Colombia; French Polynesia; Portugal; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; the Solomon Islands; Tanzania; and Vanuatu.

“Protecting the ocean is beginning to become fashionable,” said Sylvia Earle, a marine biologist and oceanographer who served as chief scientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the 1990s, at an event celebrating a network of protected areas around the Azores.

The new designations come at a time when the United States, which sent only two observers to the conference, has moved to reopen the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument to commercial fishing. The country is also seeking to unilaterally authorize mining of the seafloor in international waters.

France, which hosted the conference with Costa Rica, pushed for a moratorium on deep sea mining, with four new countries pledging their support this week, bringing the total to 37 countries.

Less than 3 percent of the ocean is currently fully protected from “extractive” activities like commercial fishing and mining, according to the Marine Protection Atlas.

Peter Thomson, the United Nations secretary general’s special envoy for the ocean, acknowledged at the Azores event that reaching 30 percent by the 2030 deadline may not happen. But, he said, “It’s not a mythical thing that will never happen.”

In order to reach the goal, the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement, also known as the High Seas Treaty, needs to be enforced with at least 60 countries ratifying it. At the conference, 19 new countries ratified the treaty, bringing the total to 50 individual countries plus the European Union. Once active, the treaty would provide a pathway toward protecting stretches of the ocean beyond individual countries’ borders.

And in coastal waters within those borders, much remains to be done. A study published in May found that the average marine protected area today is about 10 square kilometers, meaning about 188,000 more areas of that size are needed — or 85 new marine protected areas a day.

These numbers are “super daunting,” said the report’s lead author Kristin Rechberger, who is chief executive of the conservation organization Dynamic Planet. She wants countries to break through the challenge by decentralizing marine protection and allowing coastal communities to create their own small protected areas at a faster pace.

A separate report published last week found that countries need to raise $15.8 billion a year in order to protect 30 percent of the ocean. Currently about $1.2 billion a year goes toward ocean protection globally.

Questions also remain about how meaningful existing protections are.

Activists have been pushing the French government to announce a ban on bottom trawling in its marine protected areas. President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would place 4 percent of its mainland waters under “strong protection,” limiting bottom trawling, a fishing process that drags nets along the seafloor. This falls short of an existing European Union goal of placing 10 percent of its waters under “strict protection,” without commercial fishing of any kind.

“Allowing destructive bottom trawling in most of France’s so-called ‘protected’ areas makes a mockery of ocean protection,” said Alexandra Cousteau, senior adviser to Oceana and granddaughter of the ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau, in a written statement. “It’s like building a fence around a forest and then bulldozing it anyway.”

Even where protections from commercial fishing exist around the world, enforcement is often lacking.

Zafer Kizilkaya, president of the Mediterranean Conservation Society, has worked with local fishing communities to create and patrol a marine protected area at Gokova Bay in Turkey, allowing endangered monk seals to return. Community members — including former fishers — serve as marine rangers, reporting illegal commercial fishing to the Turkish Coast Guard, which follows up with fines.

Mr. Kizilkaya is not seeking greater percentages of protected marine areas at this point, but rather “serious enforcement and management,” he said. “That will make a huge difference.”

The United States did not send an official delegation to the conference. Two representatives from the the administration’s Environmental Advisory Task Force, including Ed Russo, the chairman, attended as what the State Department called “government observers.”

The day before the conference began, Mr. Russo wrote an opinion piece in Time magazine with Marc Benioff, chief executive of Salesforce and owner of Time, outlining ideas for a “focused, global effort to restore coral reefs.”

“We believe that addressing coral-reef health is a smart place to focus — not because it is the only crisis,” they wrote, “but because it offers a clear, actionable, achievable goal that can unite governments and ocean advocates.”

Mr. Russo and Mr. Benioff did not respond to requests for comment. Mr. Russo is chief executive of RussKap Water, president of the Florida Keys Environmental Coalition and a board member of Reef Relief.

Mr. Benioff, who during the first Trump administration raised Republican support for an initiative to plant a trillion trees, has funded a center for marine conservation called the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Salesforce was a major sponsor of the U.N. ocean conference’s publicly accessible exhibits.

John Kerry, the former special presidential envoy for climate under President Biden, said he didn’t know what role the United States would play in ocean protection now.

“We have an amazing conglomeration of countries that have come together to improve the marine protected areas,” Mr. Kerry said. The announcements this week, however, are “just building blocks,” he said. “We are not moving fast enough or at scale.”

Note: Along with heads of state, delegates, NGOs, and journalists, Fellows with the Pulitzer Center’s Ocean Reporting Network attended the conference.

Daphné Anglès contributed reporting.

Delger Erdenesanaa (Author)

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May is National Lyme Disease Awareness Month

FLEAS, TICKS, AND WORMS, OH MY!

EXPERT TIPS ON FELINE PARASITE PREVENTION

Cats are funny creatures. One minute they want their space, and the next, they want to cuddle up on your lap (or they completely ignore you until it’s dinnertime). While it may sometimes seem like your cat could be hiding from you, the reality is they form bonds with their humans and are dependent on us

These bonds are mutually beneficial. Cat ownership has been found to lower stress, decrease the risk of allergies in children, and improve your quality of life. That’s why it’s important for cat owners to do all they can to protect their pets, especially when it comes to common parasites.

While some parasites are most active in the spring and summer, your cat is at risk year-round. Especially now, from Heartworm Awareness Month in April to Lyme Disease Awareness Month in May, learning about potential risks and how to protect your cat is crucial. This includes understanding common misconceptions around feline parasite prevention.

One such misconception is that only outdoor pets are affected by parasites – in fact, cats of all lifestyles are susceptible. Even indoor cats can be exposed, as parasites can be brought inside by other pets and people. A flea infestation or tick bite can spread disease and hinder your bond with your cat. Between seeing your cat constantly itching and finding flea dirt in your home, these parasites can cause stress and frustration for you both.

There’s also a misunderstanding that parasite prevention medication is only needed seasonally; however, parasites are a constant threat, and year-round protection is the key to a happy and healthy cat. Whether you’re a first-time cat owner or a well-experienced pet parent, it’s always best to talk with your veterinarian about the right protection for your cat.

On Tuesday, May 6th, Dr. Amber Whittle, Medical Affairs Manager of Feline Parasiticides at Zoetis, will be available to talk about the joys of cat ownership and how cat owners can protect their furry friends against parasites. She’ll explain what owners should be aware of to help keep their cats healthy, so they can have a happier, stronger bond at home.

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October is National Pet Wellness Month
HOW MILITARY DOGS WORKING FOR CRITICAL MISSIONS
STAY HEALTHY AND READY TO ASSIST SOLDIERS

Military Working Dogs serve alongside Soldiers in crucial roles, including detecting explosives and narcotics and providing protection, significantly enhancing operational success and safety.

The Army Reserve invests extensive time and resources into training Military Working Dogs, ensuring they are skilled in areas such as tracking, detection, patrol, and search-and-rescue missions, making them invaluable assets on the battlefield. Today, the Army Reserve has just over 500 Military Working Dogs and mine-detection dogs.

Beyond their operational value, Military Working Dogs build strong bonds with their handlers, fostering trust and morale. They are more than tools—they are trusted teammates and companions. The Army Reserve recognizes and values the loyalty and dedication of Military Working Dogs by ensuring they receive top-quality care during their service and a dignified retirement once their duties are complete, often being adopted by their handlers or loving families.

The U.S. Army Veterinary Corps and the Army Military Working Dogs Program takes a holistic approach to the dogs’ overall wellness and quality of life. In addition to the Military Working Dogs, Army Reserve veterinarians often serve as the first line of care for service members’ pets, ceremonial horses, and other animals within the Department of Defense.

The Veterinary Corps is a unique branch of the Army organized under the Army Medical Department. Army Reserve veterinarians are critical to the military, often performing important roles such as:

Provide routine medical care, perform surgeries, and respond to emergency situations.

Lead cutting-edge research to advance the understanding of zoonotic diseases (those that can spread from animals to human), biosecurity, and animal health.

Ensure the safety and quality of food consumed by Soldiers by inspecting food production and distribution facilities, like our posts’ commissaries. The Soldiers ensure that food supplies are free from contamination and meet safety standards both in the U.S. and deployed locations.

Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Jessica Brozda, a Veterinary Preventive Medicine Officer based at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey, and the Officer in Charge (OIC) of the 7358th Veterinary Detachment. She’ll discuss the role of a veterinarian in the military and explain how they play a vital role in improving Military Working Dogs’ quality of life and overall wellness, as well as caring for other animals.

#military #working #dogs #handlers #pet #mission #soldiers #detectingexplosives #narcotics #protection #enhancingoperational #safety

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Claire Kirsch and her dog at home in Vassar, Mich. Brittany Greeson for The New York Times

The new pet care

By Katie Thomas

I’m an investigative reporter with a focus on the intersection of money and health care. I have a dog named Gerald.

Pets these days are just like us. They get birthday cakes, day care and rubber boots to wear in the snow. Their health care is becoming more human, too — for better and for worse.

Decades ago, animal care was relatively rudimentary. Veterinarians usually owned their own clinics, and the options to treat a sick or injured pet were limited. Today, animal hospitals are equipped with expensive magnetic resonance imaging machines, round-the-clock critical care units and teams of specialists in cancer, cardiology and neurology. For pets and the people who love them, the advances are welcome.

But as animals’ health care has changed to more closely resemble our own, it has also taken on some of the problems of the human system, including the biggest one: cost. The price of veterinary care has soared more than 60 percent over the past decade, outpacing inflation. Private equity firms have snapped up hundreds of independent clinics, in a trend reminiscent of corporate roll-ups of doctors’ offices. Veterinarians around the country told me that they worry this is changing the way that they practice, as they face growing pressure to push costly treatments and order more tests.

The changed landscape means that even as veterinarians can do more for dogs and cats than ever before, pet owners face sometimes heartbreaking decisions about whether they can afford the care. (Read more in our story on the topic.)

Changes in the industry

About one-quarter of primary care clinics and three-quarters of specialty clinics are owned by corporations, according to Brakke Consulting, which focuses on the animal health industry. Sometimes, the corporate ownership is not obvious: Many private equity firms do not change the name of the vet clinic when they take it over.

Most veterinarians are paid, at least in part, based on how much money they bring into a practice, whether that is by ordering tests, selling prescription dog food or performing procedures. One veterinarian said she quit her job after she was told her “cost per client” was too low; another said she was told she needed to see 21 animals a day, about a half-dozen more than her current workload.

Retired veterinarian David Roos and his dog, Chester. Mike Kai Chen for The New York Times

Other veterinarians said the pressure had no influence on the care they provided. In interviews, they said they bore the brunt of pet owners’ complaints, even when they have little to do with setting prices. Veterinarians make far less money than doctors for humans, and are also often in debt from years of education. Prices have gone up partly because of the rising cost of drugs, vaccines and other supplies, as well as worker salaries in a tight labor market.

One veterinarian I interviewed, Dr. Pam Nichols of South Jordan, Utah, has seen the transformation firsthand. When she was starting out in the 1990s, she said she used to sneak dachshunds into the human hospital where her father was a radiologist to give them M.R.I. scans. If the dog needed surgery, the bill would be about $2,000. Now, she said, a similar dog might get an M.R.I. and a CT scan, and will probably be operated on by a specialist who is assisted by several nurses. The cost could reach $10,000.

Tough choices for owners

Veterinary care differs from human health care in one big way: Most pet owners pay out of their own pocket — and in full — before leaving the vet’s office. While pet insurance is available, only a small percentage of pet owners have it.

A generation ago, pet owners with a seriously ill animal may have had little choice but to opt for euthanasia if they wanted to relieve their pet’s suffering. Now, they must choose between extending the animal’s life and going into what can be debilitating debt, or letting an animal die. I spoke to some pet owners who were still paying off credit card debt years after their animals had died. And animal welfare groups said owners frequently relinquished their pets to shelters because they couldn’t afford veterinary bills.

For many people, though, the sacrifices are worth it. That was the case for Claire Kirsch, who was earning less than $10 an hour as a veterinary technician in Georgia when her own dog, Roscoe, and her horse, Gambit, each had medical emergencies, resulting in bills that totaled more than $13,000. The animals would have died if she had not opted for the additional care. She took a higher-paying job, maxed out a credit card and tapped into her husband’s retirement account to pay off the debt.

“I knew I would never be able to forgive myself if we didn’t try,” she said.

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Here’s the link for easy reference: https://worldanimalfoundation.org/advocate/pet-ownership-statistics/

Linking back will not only supports our organizational cause but also aids the trust of your readers. Please let us know once the link is in place.

Thank you for understanding and for your cooperation.

Warm regards,

Davin Trent,

Outreach Manager
World Animal Foundation

www.animaltalksinc.com For anyone who has ever dealt with the loss of a pet, the grief can be overwhelming. The animal-human bond is immense during their lifetime but for many, trying to find resources for relief after the fact can be daunting.

According to data from the World Animal Foundation, 70% of households in the U.S. (90.5 million) owned a pet in 2022, as compared to 56% in 1988. These pet owners might share 15 to 20 years with their animal – be it a dog, cat, bird, rabbit or otherwise – and may even be around them 24 hours a day.

The absence caused by their death is what led Reverend Kaleel Sakakeeny, an animal chaplain, to create the nonprofit organization Animal Talks, which offers grief counseling to those in mourning.

With more humans than ever owning a pet, a story on how to cope with loss of one may be of interest to your audience. Reverend Sakakeeny can discuss more including:

· The different stages of grieving that pet owners may experience
· How an animal’s death can compare to that of a human’s in our lives
· What can happen if we do not grieve the death of a pet properly
· How to decide if one-on-one grief counseling is right for you

#nationalpetmonth #reverendkaleelsakakeeny #animaltalks #humananimal #pets #lossoflife

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