Pet Adoption: Process & requirements
Who is eligible to apply?
We accept applications from men and women at all stages of their military careers and from all United States armed forces. Pets for Patriots is proud to serve veterans from WWII through those currently in service.
- Character of service must be Honorable; separations characterized as General discharge, Under Honorable conditions or Dishonorable are ineligible.
- Individuals convicted of a felony, sexual offense of any kind and/or any type of animal mistreatment, abuse, neglect or cruelty are ineligible.
What are the requirements?
1 Length of service requirements
You must have completed a minimum of 190 days of military service after completion of active duty and/or basic training.
Reservists and members of the National Guard who were never activated are eligible to apply, and must meet this same minimum service requirement.
2 Proof of service
Active Duty
A copy of one of the following documents is required to apply:
- Current original orders, including signature page(s)
- STP (Army – Soldier’s Talent Profile, formerly ERB or IPPS) reflecting full/current active duty service history
- CDB (Air Force – Career Data Brief)
- BIR (Marine Corps – Basic Individual Record), reflecting full/current active duty service history
- ESR (Navy – Electronic Service Record) or NSIPS (Navy Standard Integrated Personnel Systems), reflecting full/current active duty service history
- Statement of service from your CO with your name, entry date on active duty, duration of any lost time and name of the command providing the information; must be dated within 30 days of application, on command letterhead and signed.
National Guard and Reserves
A copy of one of the following documents is required to apply:
- Most recent/last-issued DD214 with block including character of service as Honorable. If you do not have a copy of your DD214, you can request a copy from the National Archives
- DD256 if separated from Reserves and/or was never activated
- CDB (Air Force – Career Data Brief)
- NGB-22 (Report of Separation and Record of Service) with proof of Honorable of service
- NGB-23 (Retirement Points Accounting)
- NGB-55 with evidence of Honorable of service
Inactive reserve, retired or veteran
(discharged/separated from service)
A copy of the following document is required to apply:
- Most recent/last-issued DD214 reflecting final tour of duty, with block including character of service as Honorable; we do not accept discharge certificates towards this requirement. If you do not have a copy of your DD214 you can request a copy from the National Archives
The following are NOT accepted as proof of service:
- Pay stubs/LES
- Dependent IDs
- Retired military IDs
- Military IDs
- Disability letters
- Veterans Administration ID cards
- Social Security cards
- Drivers license
- Other documents not listed explicitly as acceptable proof of service
3 Other information you should know
- You can request a copy of your DD214 from the National Archives
- Please redact your social security number prior to sending any documents; our privacy policy describes how we handle your information
- Documents copied/pasted into Word document, txt file, or into the body of the email are not accepted; we suggest emailing PDF of original document, or sending via fax or regular mail
- Spouses, parents, siblings, other relatives, guardians or any other individual may not apply on behalf of a veteran, without exception. The application is a legal agreement made directly between Pets for Patriots and the veteran. If you need help applying online please call toll-free 877-473-8223.
Other Circumstances
Proof of legal name change:
(Marriage, divorce or other)
A letter with all of the following information is required to apply:
- Marriage certificate, divorce decree, or other legal document detailing name change(s)
- If multiple name changes apply you must provide legal proof of each name change
- Drivers license, VA card, or similar forms of identification are not accepted
