Tara had not planned on adopting another pet. But when her path crossed with a stray Bengal cat she could not get the wayward feline out of her mind.

Aiming high

In 1992 Tara enlisted in the Air Force and served as security police. She spent the majority of her tour of duty at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Washington, but her military career took her beyond our shores as well.

Tara served on temporary duty in Saudi Arabia and completed a one-year deployment to Kunsan, South Korea. Her strongest memories are the teamwork and camaraderie she enjoyed through her years of service.

“The military was a great experience for me,” she says. “I met some amazing people, forged lifelong friendships, and traveled abroad. It taught me valuable life skills and helped make me the person I am today.”

While family bonds forged the foundation of Tara’s values and character, military service helped shape the person she has become. She joined the military to serve her country and learn skills that she could deploy in civilian life.

After eight years in the Air Force and 31 years of federal service, Tara retired to build a new life in Utah. Today she works at a local university, lives close to her parents, and spends her free time snowboarding on Utah’s mountains.

Adopt don’t shop

Animals have always been part of Tara’s life. So when she retired and settled in Utah to be closer to her parents, she knew that pet adoption would continue to be important to her.

“I have always been a firm believer in adopt don’t shop,” she shares. “There are so many animals in need of good homes and they deserve a chance at a great life.”

One day, Tara and her mother found a stray Bengal cat in their neighborhood. The Air Force veteran immediately took the cat to her veterinarian to check for a microchip, hoping to reunite her with her family.

But no chip was found. So Tara followed Utah law and brought the cat to Salt Lake County Animal Services with the hope that her guardians would have every opportunity to reclaim her.

“From the day I took her to the shelter I could not stop thinking about her. I told the shelter staff that if her owners do not come for her I want to adopt her and give her a great life.”

Tara recalls the quiet moment she and the wayward cat shared on the drive to the shelter.

“While sitting in the back seat of the car,” she says, “she just stared at me meowing softly, and right then I knew I would see her again.”

Nala cat

The Bengal beauty stayed at the shelter for 12 days, including a multi-day hold before she was made available for adoption. It was all Tara could think about.

Staff at Salt Lake County Animal Services told the Air Force veteran about Pets for Patriots the day before the cat became available for adoption. The shelter waives adoption fees for veterans and Gold Star spouses who join our free program, removing one more barrier to adoption.

To date we have had almost 60 lifesaving adoptions through this partnership.

So on a late October day Tara completed her application to our program and woke up to find her approval email the next morning.

That very same day the Air Force veteran returned to the shelter not as a Good Samaritan, but as an adopter. She finalized the paperwork and brought this once nameless cat—since named Nala—home for good.

From house to home

Saving an unwanted animal is a noble act. But adopting Nala carried an even deeper meaning for Tara.

A month before moving to Utah she lost her beloved cat, Moochie, to cancer. The trip that should have been Tara and Moochie was not to be. A week later a good friend gifted Tara a cat named Jesse so that she would not be without a feline friend.

“Jesse got me through the heart break of Moochie’s passing. A year after Moochie’s passing, Nala came into my life as a stray,” Tara shares. “Something in me felt Nala came into my life for a reason, and she was meant to be with me and Jesse.”

The Bengal beauty has settled into her new life with remarkable ease.

“Life is great with Nala in it,” Tara says. “She has been such an amazing addition to the household. She has acclimated very well.”

It helps that Jesse and Nala are inseparable. The two cats do nearly everything together.

“Jesse and Nala are getting along great. They share everything, food bowls, litter boxes—two of them—and toys. They keep each other company while I am at work. Most importantly,” Tara says, “they make my house feel like a home.”

Gratitude all around

The Air Force veteran does not hesitate to recommend Pets for Patriots to other veterans. She appreciates the ease and speed of both the application and adoption, and our year of personal, post-adoption follow up as well.

“I would definitely recommend Pets for Patriots to other veterans,” she says.

“They are amazing and really care about the pets and the veterans that adopt through the program. Such a positive experience and they make you and your service feel very appreciated.”

Some adoption stories begin with careful planning.

Tara’s tale began with a chance encounter with a stray cat who remained unclaimed, and a promise to give her a second chance. In the end, Nala gave Tara something just as meaningful in return.

Through one unexpected yet seemingly fated encounter hope replaced loss, memories found a new beginning, and a house became a home once again.

“I am so happy that she is a part of my life,” Tara says. “She is very sweet and always brings a smile to my face.”