Guardian Angels for Soldiers Pet.

It's difficult leaving a much-adored animal behind. Credit: Joe Barrentine, AP Finding a safe and loving place to leave a pet during service overseas can be a heart-wrenching experience for many members of America's armed forces. Fortunately, thousands of concerned civilians across the country are stepping up the help lighten the load for America's men and women in uniform. Recognizing the Need While many of our soldiers can rely on friends and family to care for Fido and Fifi, others find themselves in a situation that leaves them little choice but to turn their pets over to a shelter -- or worse. In fact, one such heartbreaking situation inspired one very patriotic animal lover to create ...

Reunited after 18 months in Iraq. Photo: Courtesy of Guardian Angels for Soldier's Pet In the past, soldiers without family or friends to care for their cats and dogs were often forced to surrender their pets to a shelter. Luckily, thanks to a nonprofit organization called Guardian Angels for Soldier's Pet (GASP), that's changed. Since 2005, GASP has placed 100 soldiers' pets in loving foster homes across the country. GASP founder and CEO Linda Spurlin-Dominik tells Paw Nation that the organization currently keeps tabs on 67 military pets in foster care. When soldiers return, they are reunited with their furry family members. Most fostered pets are cats and dogs, but ferrets and rabbits ...