I am a single member currently at a land billet and have adopted two shelter cats. I am due to PCS soon and I am considering going back to a boat.
Worst case scenario is that I would have to turn them over to an animal shelter. But I am trying to find ways that I do not have to resort to that option. Does anyone have advice on how a single member can have pets but be on boat w/ three month patrols? Thank you!
I think they are more geard toward long deployments that the other services are more accustomed to, but im sure you could work something out. From the email conversations i had with them I collected they were more than willing to help out.
That's ok, I found three solutions staring me in the face.
1. There is a such thing as a pet sitter. I've spoken with a pet sitting business in Charleston, SC. And they are willing to cut me a deal since I could possibly be on three month patrols. It would be expensive, but when I was u/w on my last boat, I saved a buttload of money and now I'm one paygrade higher so even better.
2. I emailed several apartment complexes in Charleston, SC and told them of my situation. The apartment managers are willing to work with me and assign an agent to look out for my pets while I'm away. I'm working a researching the same information in other cities where we have cutters.
3. There are military foster programs that can watch member's pets while they are deployed. I'm looking into that as well in case the first two do not suffice.
So if anyone finds that they are in a similar situation, there are better options than a animal shelter.
