Final signature count: 33,442

33,442 signatures toward our 50,000 goal

Many U.S. troops get the opportunity to meet animals during their service. Stray dogs are a common sight around large cities, especially those around the world where the men and women of the U.S. military are often stationed.

A soldier may take in a stray puppy or kitten that shows up near their base. Without anyone else to help, the animal may already be weak, dehydrated or malnourished¹.

It’s possible that small gestures of care may go unseen by a commanding officer for a short while. But U.S. troops are not allowed to care for these animals, no matter the need. Such action would violate Military General Order 1-A².

Military General Order 1-A prohibits soldiers from helping or bonding with local animals. Every time they feed, pet, or adopt an animal they are breaking the rules. And when these rules are enforced, the animals are killed or forced back out on the streets to fend for themselves³.

The military has been marketing this policy as a method of reducing rabies⁴, warning service members, “Do not keep pets or mascots while deployed.”

The truth is, these animals are a great assistance to our heroes, helping them deal with life outside the U.S. in more ways than one. Bonding with an animal can help reduce stress and anxiety, which is why service dogs are used to help veterans mitigate the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) that all-too-often arise when they return home from the battlefield⁵.

SPCA International established “Operation Baghdad Pups” during the Iraq War to reunite animals with the service members who bonded with them. The program has so far helped hundreds of service members reunite with their animal companions back home⁶.

We need to to continue this program, let our troops care for animals and keep their pets safe from harm.

Add your name to this petition and tell the Department of Defense to change General Order 1-A.