Ensuring Our Military K9 Veterans a Hero’s Retirement
November 07, 2022 • Trends • Rescue
… November 11th is Veterans Day. Every veteran deserves a hero’s retirement, even retiring Military Working Dogs and Contract Working Dogs who have bravely served alongside our servicemen and women doing perilous work such as explosive detection, search and rescue, and attack. But is an honorable retirement and a loving forever home ensured for these brave dogs after their service time is done?
Bob Bryant, Co-Founder of Mission K9 Rescue, a dog rescue in Houston, TX that rehabilitates and re-homes retiring and retired Military Working Dogs (MWDs) and Contract Working Dogs (CWDs) shared … “Before 2000, due to their official classification as equipment these dogs were largely euthanized,” says Bob. “Today, despite now being available for public adoption, honorable retirements for these dogs are anything but ensured: They receive no medical or service benefits, many times retire with serious injury, and are stuck in kennels awaiting adoptions that are expensive to complete and may never come. That's where Mission K9 Rescue steps in.”
How Mission K9 Rescue Ensures a Hero’s Retirement for Our Military K9 Veterans
1) Rescue: While waiting for adoption, many military working dogs are stuck in kennels both in the US and abroad for much longer than needed, often lacking proper exercise or mental stimulation. Mission K9 Rescue steps in to bring these dogs back from kennels overseas as well as rescuing them out of poor environments stateside.
2) Reuniting: Once a dog comes into Mission K9 Rescue’s care, they prioritize reuniting them with a former handler, and see to it that the dog is transported to their new home. Without Mission K9 Rescue’s intervention, the cost of transportation from the kennel falls upon the adopter. Mission K9 Rescue steps in to alleviate a fee that can be anywhere from $1500 to upwards of $8000 if coming from overseas.
3) Re-Home: For each retired working dog in their care that does not get reunited with their handler, Mission K9 Rescue works tirelessly to find them the perfect loving forever home. You can see the latest MWDs, CWDs, and retired Police K9s available for adoption by visiting Mission K9 Rescue's Facebook page!
4) Rehabilitate: MWDs and CWDs are often in situations that cause them severe anxiety and stress. Many retire with issues such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These dogs need time to decompress and reintegrate into society. Mission K9 Rescue works with these dogs in order to make them suitable for adoption.
5) Repair: Because they are classified as equipment, MWDs and CWDs receive no medical or service benefits after retirement. Unfortunately, some have extensive medical issues. Mission K9 Rescue provides all veterinary needs to dogs in their care, which can involve major surgeries costing thousands of dollars. They rely on donations for these surgeries and care, and never make dogs wait for funding. Mission K9 Rescue has spent up to as much as $60,000 a month keeping the dogs in their care healthy and whole.
For more information, visit MissionK9Rescue.org.
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