2025
YEAR IN REVIEW
2025 brought record-breaking success, but uncertainty as well.
Still, we face 2026 with our trademark optimism, grit, and can-do spirit because that’s what our mission demands.
Adoptions
406 dogs + 152 cats =
558 veteran-pet adoptions
2025 was a tough year. General economic uncertainty, loss of housing, and post-pandemic lifestyle changes made it difficult for some people to keep their pets.
Thanks to our efforts at continuous improvement and the generosity of our donors, 558 new families were created—a single-year adoptions record in our 16-year history and a 29% increase over 2024.
Strategic technology investments continue to power our tiny team to do more with greater speed and accuracy. Among last year’s improvements are automations to connect prospective adopters with their local shelter partners more quickly. The result? More animals were saved, and the lives of more veterans and military families were made better with the love of a companion pet.
More than $109,800 disbursed through our adoption program for ‘welcome home’ food and supplies, making it more affordable for veterans and military families to adopt a pet in need
Adoptions
227 Army
144 Navy
110 Air Force
67 Marines
10 Coast Guard
558 lifesaving matches
In 2025, we expanded all of our programs to include Gold Star spouses—the husbands and wives of service members killed or declared missing in action—because we believe they and their families can find comfort and healing through the companionship of a rescue pet.
Partners
Saving lives in 40 states
An ongoing effort is underway to thoughtfully strengthen shelter and veterinarian partner networks, focusing on organizations that value collaboration and shared purpose.
Partner quality continues to guide decisions over partner quantity as we progress towards the goal of programs in all 50 states. This commitment creates space to welcome back former partners who may have stepped away because of extended inactivity or the loss of a dedicated partnership champion.
Our virtual doors remain open to partners who wish to reengage and work together in service of people and pets. While the number of shelter and veterinarian partners may naturally ebb and flow, our dedication to building a strong, supportive network remains constant.
3.4K
partners…and counting
267 shelters, humane societies, SPCAs, rescues, and municipal animal controls
77 full-service brick-and-mortar veterinary practices
3,064 VIP Petcare Wellness and Community Clinics, and PetVet walk-in clinics at select Tractor Supply stores
6,000+ Vetster veterinary professionals providing 24/7/365 pet telehealth
Hardship program
9 veterans received $1,490 in hardship support, preventing the surrender of their pets due to short-term crisis—a sharp decrease from 2024 due to fewer requests
“I didn’t know a buddy like this could make such an impact in my life.”
Samuel was gripped by loneliness til Boomer came into his life in 2025. But hard times followed and the Army veteran reached out to us for help.
Boomer is a dual recipient of hardship and hero program support for his extensive allergies and basic needs. Thanks to our supporters, he’s still Samuel’s best buddy and favorite friend to the ladies in his neighborhood.
John is a 94 year-old Coast Guard veteran. In 2024 he adopted Lilly, herself a senior, after the passing of John’s wife of 71 years.
From time to time the Coastie veteran needs a little help, which we’re honored to provide thanks to the generosity of our hardship program donors.
If you need a little extra inspiration in your day, read John’s story, told in his own words.
After serving in Iraq and being awarded the Bronze Star, Magdalena decided to be a hero to a pet in need. But soon after adopting Kimchi she rushed her to the hospital with what turned out to be pneumonia.
While our funds are not available for urgent or emergency care, our hardship program provided meaningful relief to help Kimchi’s new mom buy pet food and other essentials, all thanks to our generous supporters.
Hero program
16 pets received $15,550+ of support towards essential, life extending, and palliative veterinary care—24% more than 2024
Bruno was found abandoned in the Georgia woods. He was skin and bones, had a mass on his chest, and was suffering with painful arthritis.
Bethany, an Air Force veteran, vowed to give this sweet senior a better life. Thanks to generous hero fund supporters, Bruno received six months of injections that have him back to his squirrel-hunting ways.
Chance has been part of our pack since 2015 when his dad Ed, an Air Force veteran, swooped in to save him. The petite pup had suffered prior abuse, during which he lost an eye.
Recently Ed reached out to us for help with a stubborn infection that was making Chance very ill. With just a $300 investment from our hero fund, Chance is once again healthy and back to his spirited ways.
Lucas knew that Moose had cancer, but adopted him anyway. The Marine vowed to give his floppy-eared friend the best of whatever life he had left.
Despite support from our hero fund to help pay for tumor-removal surgery, just seven months after adoption Moose lost his battle with cancer. We’re grateful to Lucas and our supporters for giving this sweet pup the chance he deserved to live.
One long-time Board member—a retired Marine—moved on to new ventures and two more, both retired Navy veterans, now serve in his wake
Thank you for your service
Thank you, Jay—and welcome Bernie and Brian
Four star all-stars
Give with confidence
Pets for Patriots continues to earn a Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator, the world’s largest and most trusted nonprofit evaluator. This is the highest possible rating on Charity Navigator, whose prestigious, third-party accreditation validates our nonprofit’s operational excellence.
And year after year we earn Candid’s Platinum Seal of Transparency for sharing our goals, capabilities, strategies, achievements, and progress.
And we just started our 16th year helping people save pets and pets save people
What’s next
In 2026 we’ll introduce more ways for people to be a part of our mission through volunteerism, advocacy, and fundraising.
Join us.