There are a lot of animal charities doing important work. And then there are the ones that quietly, consistently step in at exactly the moment someone feels like everything might fall apart.
That’s where PACT for Animals comes in.
PACT for Animals was founded in 2011 with a simple but powerful idea: People + Animals = Companions Together. And instead of focusing only on animals after they enter the shelter system, PACT focuses on preventing that heartbreak in the first place.
They ask a different question—one most of us don’t think about until we’re forced to:
What happens to a beloved pet when someone has to leave… but doesn’t want to give them up forever?
When life goes pear-shaped, pets shouldn’t lose everything
Deployments. Extended hospital stays. Serious medical treatments. Unexpected training assignments. Recovery periods that stretch on longer than planned.
For active-duty military members, veterans, and even civilians facing medical crises, these moments can turn life upside down fast. And for many people, the most painful part isn’t leaving home—it’s worrying about the dog or cat who depends on them.
PACT’s Operation Foster program exists for exactly that space in between.
Instead of forcing families into an impossible choice, PACT provides free, long-term, in-home foster care for pets while their people get through whatever chapter they’re facing. The goal is never rehoming. It’s reunion.
Over 3,000 pets. All 50 states. One shared mission.
What started in Pennsylvania (my home state!) has quietly grown into a nationwide safety net. Since its founding, PACT for Animals has helped over 3,000 pets stay connected to their families through temporary foster placements in all 50 states.
That’s thousands of dogs curled up on couches instead of in kennels.
Thousands of cats sleeping in sunny windows instead of shelters.
Thousands of families who got to come home to the same wagging tails and familiar purrs.
PACT describes its mission beautifully:
To preserve the human-animal bond by providing temporary, vetted foster care for pets of U.S. military members, veterans, and individuals in medical crises—preventing shelter surrender and promoting emotional wellbeing.
Their vision is even simpler:
A world where no pet is separated from their family due to temporary hardship.
Hard to argue with that. Plus, it means thousands more tear-jerking “military members reuniting with pets” videos (like the one below). Honestly, we can never have too many of those.
How Operation Foster actually works (and why it works so well)
PACT’s model is thoughtful, structured, and very human-centered. This isn’t last-minute scrambling or informal hand-offs. It’s a system built on care, accountability, and respect—for everyone involved.
Here’s the short version:
- Pet owners apply when they know they’ll need temporary help
- Foster families apply, too, sharing what they’re comfortable with
- Remote home checks help ensure pets land in safe, loving environments
- PACT carefully matches pets with appropriate fosters
- A legal foster contract protects both sides
- Ongoing support continues for the entire foster period
Foster placements typically last anywhere from 6 weeks to 2 years, depending on the situation (with some flexibility for military rotations).
The end goal is always the same:
The pet goes home.
That’s one of PACT’s greatest strengths. By intervening before animals ever enter shelters, outcomes are stronger, stress is lower, and emotional damage is minimized—for both people and pets.
This is animal welfare that starts with people
What really sets PACT apart is that their work is deeply human-centered.
They understand that caring for animals means supporting the people who love them—especially when those people are overwhelmed, injured, or serving others.
One veteran summed it up perfectly:
“Knowing my dog was safe and loved while I recovered let me focus on healing instead of worrying.”
There are a ton more wonderful recommendations on their testimonial page from both fosters and pet parents. I highly recommend checking that out if you want to learn more…or just want some feel-good stories.
That peace of mind isn’t small. It’s everything.
And it’s why PACT’s impact ripples outward:
- Pets stay out of shelters
- Families stay whole
- Foster families become part of something meaningful
- Communities step up instead of stepping aside
That depth of commitment is rare—and hard to replicate.
Who PACT helps (and who they don’t)
PACT’s focus is intentionally specific, which is part of why the program works so well.
They provide temporary foster care for:
- Active-duty military members
- Veterans
- Individuals facing serious medical treatment or hospitalization
- Military-related needs beyond deployment, like training, PCS, or reassignment
What they don’t do is short-term or open-ended fosters for situations without a clear path to reunification (like housing or employment transitions). That boundary helps ensure fosters don’t end up stuck in limbo—and that pets truly return home.
It’s not about saying no.
It’s about protecting the integrity of the promise: this is temporary, and you’ll get your pet back.
Want to help? There’s room for you here.
PACT for Animals runs on compassion—and on people who say yes.
They’re always looking for:
- Foster families
- Volunteers who can spread the word
- Pet care providers willing to donate time
- Supporters and donors who help keep the program free
There’s no fee for families who need help. Pet owners cover their pet’s routine expenses, and donations help PACT do the behind-the-scenes work that makes every match possible.
If you’ve ever thought, “I wish I could help, but I can’t adopt,” this might be your moment.
You can check out all of the pets needing fosters here to see if there are any in your area.
Need Help—or Want to Help? Here’s Where to Start
If there’s one thing PACT for Animals proves, it’s that temporary hardship shouldn’t mean permanent loss. Whether it’s deployment, medical recovery, or a situation that puts life on hold for a while, no one should have to choose between taking care of themselves (or serving their country) and keeping the pet they love.
PACT steps in during that in-between space—the part no one talks about, but so many people live through. And they do it quietly, compassionately, and incredibly well.
If you’re a military member or veteran who might need help someday…
If you’re facing a medical situation and worrying about your pet…
Or if you’re someone who could open your home and be that safe landing place for an animal while their person finds their footing again…
This is one of those organizations worth knowing about before you need it.
- Learn more about PACT for Animals, Operation Foster, and how to get involved here.
- Follow along and help spread the word on Facebook
- Check out their YouTube channel for more details (and even better, more reunion videos)
