Well, Military Mascots appears to be that group. Bonnie Buckley of Massachusetts has been coordinating the effort to send care packages to troops fostering dogs in war zones and help them arrange to bring those dogs back to the U.S. on commercial airlines since June of 2003. Bonnie isn’t supporting the wholesale transport of all stray dogs to the US to be worked into our shelter system, instead she acts as a resource for servicemen who want to bring their adopted dogs home with them when they are deployed out of a war zone.

This is an impressive undertaking as it requires volunteers to meet the dogs at international customs, re-booking on domestic flights to the final city of destination, transportation from the airport to temporary foster homes while the troops make their way back home, and finally the dog being reunited with the soldier when they or their family are able to take the dog permanently. And that’s only after the dog lands on U.S. soil, the mission to bring these dogs home begins long before.

While her organization doesn’t have the polish (professionally shot video and website) of the SPCAI’s “No Buddy Left Behind” campaign, it also has no other reason for existence, and is all volunteer. Whereas the SPCAI has that tricky clause #3 where the money you donate just might be used for another SPCAI program, it looks like all of the funds sent to Military Mascots are spent directly on dogs in war zones. It also appears that MM is helping those who help themselves by facilitating and encouraging the servicemen and their families back home to raise the money for transport, so this isn’t just a blanket donation for dogs who have to be found homes.

The reason so many of the abandoned dogs in Iraq are Border Collies is because herding dogs are one of the few exceptions to Islam’s teachings against owning dogs. I’m following up this post with a list of some of the success stories of Border Collies that have been saved from the war zone through the Military Mascots program.

One such pup is Charlie and this is his story:

One night, while on guard duty with the US Armed Forces in Iraq, Sgt. Watson’s squadron returned from patrol with a new buddy. Weak, malnourished, and at death’s door, a black and white puppy had decided to adopt the soldiers of the unit known as Charlie Company. Sgt. Watson wrapped the shivering puppy in a blanket, gave it some clean water, a portion of his own rations, and provided what refuge and comfort he could for a poor life he expected would sadly end in a few days – another innocent life cut short in a harsh and unforgiving environment.

But the puppy rallied back, thriving on the care, attention and affection of Sgt. Watson and the members of his platoon. A real survivor, the puppy was named Charlie (after the military unit) and before long the growing puppy bonded not only with Sgt. Watson but with the other soldiers.

You can see video of Sgt. Watson talking about what Charlie means to the troops and how you can help (read: donate money) to bring Charlie to America. The website is called Baghdad Pups.

SPCA International (the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) is running “Operation Baghdad Pups, “a major effort to bring U.S. soldiers’ mascots and companion animals back from Iraq.” Obviously, they want some cash to help the effort. After getting all gushy over Lucky Jack, I’m in a giving mood. I wouldn’t ask you to donate to a cause that I haven’t already donated to.

The donation website says:

Donations received for this program will be used in three ways:

1. to cover the costs associated with bringing companion animals, befriended by United States military while serving in the Middle East, to their new homes in the United States;

2. to cover transportation costs for companion animals belonging to active military personnel who need financial assistance for this purpose when they are transferred to another military base;

3. to further the mission of SPCA International to stop euthanizing adoptable and healthy animals. The outcomes of this program will be maintaining the human/animal bond and a reduction in surrendered animals.

Now, I’d prefer that my money was earmarked for #1 or #2, since technically none of the money they might collect would help the Iraqi dogs and would be spent here in the states on CEO salaries and advertising for other fund raisers. The Humane Society (not the SPCA who is doing this program) pulled a stunt like that with the Michael Vick dogs, collecting money for their care when the HSUS didn’t have anything to do with it. But this is the SPCA, so as far as I know, they have a good track record.

Kudos to the Flyball Blog and Johann the Dog for the heads up on this story.