By Mallory Carra, Ollie
Although deployed in Kosovo in May 2024, the physiotherapy assistant of the American army reserve Elvia Azuara saw many wandering cats run around one of the bases – including a pretty little black and white kitten, known mainly under the name of Fent.
Azuara noticed her one day during lunch and she nourished fries to fount. Soon this has become a regular liaison activity for them. “I guess she knew my routine,” said Azuara in an interview with Stacker. “Whenever I was there, she came out of nowhere and she was waiting for her fries.”
But four months later, in October, Azuara learned that its deployment ended – and it was devastated to leave the cat, especially since the winter was approaching. And this is where the Paws of War program “War Torn Pops & Cats” intervened.
Ollie profiled the work of the American non -profit organization, which brings together military staff with the animals with which they linked while serving abroad. Founded by Robert Miseri in 2014, Paws of War helped save more than 5,000 dogs and cats for nearly 1,000 veterans. The organization has fulfilled an increasing need for Air Force officers, the Marines, the Army, the Coast Guard and the Army reserves who served abroad, linked to a dog or a cat, and did not want to leave them in an uncertain situation.
The organization serves a double objective by bringing together the soldiers to whom the military is struggling with the consequences of the war with animals needing care. And for veterans with a post-traumatic stress disorder, their fur companions bring not only joy but also help them to cure.
“We have troops all over the world and the sacrifices that these people make is quite brilliant,” said Gary Baumann, volunteer of Paws of War, who volunteers in the “War Torn Pps & Cats” program. “We want to ask them to leave these animals behind is a sacrifice that they should not have to do,” he told Stacker.
High costs but high rewards
Azuara heard of the soldiers’ program who had already been deployed at the base. After having linked, she submitted her request to bring the kitty back to the house in the United States
“I was a little skeptical at first, to be honest, because I said to myself:” Oh, I don’t know why they would do it for free “,” she said, “but I don’t lose anything by checking it.”
The “War Torn Pops & Cats” program costs nothing for members of the service – Donors finance it mainly. In 2023, Paws of War raised more than $ 4 million contributions and subsidies.
After a soldier like Azuara applies, Paws of War volunteers and staff around the world join forces to work on logistics, exploring the possibility of bringing the animal to the United States. Dogs and cats must see a qualified veterinarian for documentation and rabies vaccines before traveling internationally, but sometimes this veterinarian is located a few hours. Care can also vary in cost, depending on the local currency and prices.
“Recently, we had a dog in Africa and we made some bases there,” said Baumann. “You need literally a donkey carriage, a boat, a couple of cars, then, generally a motorcycle, something that can pass a little brush to bring them dogs or cats to the city where we can bring them to a veterinarian and start treating them.”
The most expensive part of the process is to transport animals to the United States, it often involves driving them on an airplane as a freight, which can cost about $ 4,000 or more. The animal must also enter the country at an airport authorized by the government.
For example, cats from other countries can enter the United States through several airports, but the CDC only enables dogs in high-risk countries in rabies to enter by six, including John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York and Los Angeles International Airport.
Help the heroes
Paws of War accepts direct donations on its website to help support its programs, including the supply of SSPT service dogs and a mobile veterinary clinic to Long Island, New York.
For the “Torn Torn” program, expenses are worth it for the organization, its soldiers and animals. It is believed that dogs and cats are capable of more complex emotions than most people do not think so and their reunion with the officers with whom they have linked themselves to them as much for them as for humans.
For Azuara, the link was still so strong. Three weeks after making his request, the program contacted her in November 2024 with good news: Fent was ready to travel to the United States and live with her.
The cat stole Kosovo and entered the United States via JFK airport, finally going to Azuara home in Austin, Texas. Their reunion at the airport meant a lot for Azuara, who feared that the kitty would forget it or do not get along with its two dogs. But Fent – who Azuara renamed Frenzy – adapted to her new house right away. The frenzy can no longer eat fries, but likes its good cat food.
Now Azuara trains to join the County County EMS. Having a frenzy, a large part of his experience abroad, in Texas, helped her readjust to the United States
“She is definitely one of my huge grounding tools when I was there,” said Azuara. “When the situations were really stressful, it was something that would brighten up my day. And when I came back, it is really difficult to pass and get back in civilian life, but have it, it was a bit like having a small piece of the place where I was and a little reminder that, hey, it will go. “”
Edition of stories by Alizah Emphasoo. Additional edition by Elisa Huang. Copy edition by Kristen Wegrzyn. Selection of photos by Lacy Kerrick.
This story originally appeared on Ollie and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
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