LI's Paws Of War Aims To Help 5 Soldiers' Puppies Held At JFK Airport

NESCONSET, NY — Five U.S. Army National Guard members' puppies are being held at JFK Airport after Paws of War rushed to import the dogs into the United States from a remote country, the Nesconset-based nonprofit announced.

The dogs have clean health certificates, Paws of War said, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regulations require additional paperwork. The dogs are being held in a facility at the airport, according to Paws of War, which is a "great expense" to the nonprofit.

The dogs have come this far, and Paws of War said it won't let the soldiers down. The organization is now trying to help them get the puppies back and is seeking the help of those in the community to speed the process up.

"We are always willing to step in and help our soldiers, even when there are issues like this," said Derek Cartwright, a veteran and the coordinator for Paws of War. "They do so much for us, it’s the least we can do for them, but we can’t do it alone. We need the support of others to help make it happen.”

For those who would like to donate to Paws of War, you may do so here.

The five puppies, Recce (pronounced Wrecky), Marco, Sarabi, Avery, and Modi were born on the base where the U.S. Army National Guard soldiers were deployed. The soldiers knew if they didn't step in to care for and protect the pups, they surely would not survive, Paws of War stated. It's an area of the world that is known for treating dogs harshly, according to the organization.

The soldiers, who are all from Virginia, doted on the pups and considered the moments spent with them a blessing. Strong bonds formed between the dogs and the soldiers as the days passed. Yet the risks to the pups were everywhere, wild animals, toxic materials, and some locals who had shot some dogs in the past were all a constant threat and worry to the soldiers, according to the nonprofit. As the pups grew and the date for the soldiers to deploy home got closer, a desperate plea to save the dogs was sent out. The soldiers began searching for any way to keep their beloved pups. One soldier reached out to Paws of War, who stepped up to save the dogs.

“These puppies have been a huge morale booster for us and knowing they are going to be safe living with us in the U.S. means a ton to me and my family,” Sergeant Chase said via news release.

While Paws of War has helped with many such rescues, this one was a bit more complex, the organization stated. It involved the soldiers and villagers working together using boats, cars, people, and even donkey carts to get the pups to a safe location where they could be fostered, loved, and receive the veterinary treatment they needed. With all the paperwork and months of trying to secure flights from this remote spot, the dogs were safely sent to the U.S. with travel passports.

A miscommunication regarding CDC paperwork has put the dogs into quarantine at a substantial cost that the organization is struggling to cover, Paws of War stated.

“Every day to be able to see these pups was such a blessing to me," Sergeant Johns stated. "Recce and I quickly created an inseparable bond. As soon as he saw me, he would run straight up, climb in my lap and fall asleep. My wife and I cannot wait to have Recce in our home as part of our family. We are a dog family to our bones.”

The puppies are close to being reunited with their soldiers, Paws of War said.

"We can't let them down," the nonprofit stated. "Please help support getting these dogs to safety. There are substantial costs involved in getting them back, and Paws of War is turning to people in the community to help chip in and cover them. The most critical element is raising the funds to cover the expenses. Paws of War is planning a reunion in Virginia for these soldiers to be reunited with their pups."

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