LI's Paws Of War Helping Navy Sailor Relocate Rescued Cat To U.S.

NESCONSET, NY — Paws of War, a Nesconset-based nonprofit, is trying to help a U.S. Navy sailor bring home a cat he rescued while stationed in the Middle East, the organization announced.

Everyone who has ever had a pet knows how special of a bond it can be," Paws of War stated. "Pets are notorious for helping us to have a better quality of life. The same holds for U.S. military who are stationed overseas. Sometimes they befriend an animal they rescue, creating an incredible bond that helps them get through that time away from their family. When the deployment is over, they either need to walk away from the animal, which may lead to their death, or they need help relocating them back to the soldier’s home in America. That’s where Paws of War comes in."

Davids, a U.S. Navy sailor, heard he would be deployed back to the United States, according to the nonprofit. He immediately worried about what would happen to Vinny, the cat he rescued. He rescued Vinny and became family with him, bonding and spending their days together. Davids knows that leaving Vinny behind would be a death sentence for the young cat, Paws of War stated.

"Right now, we are on a mission to pull off a holiday miracle by helping to save a sailors rescued cat and get him back to New England," said Derek Cartwright, a veteran and the coordinator for Paws of War. "We can do it, but only with the support of those in the community.”

If you would like to donate to help Paws of War relocate Vinny for Davids, you may do so here.

Davids is a sailor in the U.S. Navy who has served for more than 20 years, including five combat tours overseas. Bringing his best friend, Vinny, home with him is a mission that he feels will be a holiday miracle if it's pulled off. The two are attached at the hip. Davids thinks if he gets Vinny to Massachusetts to be with him and his wife, he will have a great life and become a New England Patriots fan, according to Paws of War.

“If I have to leave without Vinny, they most likely will exterminate him, and that is something I cannot bear to let happen,” Davids said via news release. “I'm hoping Paws of War can help my best buddy Vinny and me so I can give him a wonderful life. I appreciate anyone helping to save his life and get him home where my family and I will love him forever."

The Paws of War rescue team has a plan in place but needs the community's support to make it happen. The missions involve many resources, making them costly.

Paws of War has been operating worldwide since 2014, helping the military save the animals they rescue while deployed overseas. It helps veterans with numerous issues, including suicide prevention, service, and support dogs, companion cats and dogs, food insecurity, veterinary care, etc.