Beginning September 1, 2019, all dogs and cats on Dogs on Deployment's approved network must be spayed or neutered, unless the animal is younger than one year of age or a health condition exists preventing the procedure. In both exceptions, a veterinarian note must be provided to Dogs on Deployment. If the animal will turn greater than one year while in boarding, and is not spayed or neutered prior to the start of boarding, the Pet Owner agrees to allow the DoD Boarder to have their animal spayed or neutered while in boarding, if required by the DoD Boarder. The Pet Owner remains financially responsible for the cost to spay or neuter their pet, including all surgical and post-care costs. The Pet Owner reserves the right to choose a veterinarian clinic to perform the surgery within 30 miles of the DoD Boarder's residence. <\/p>\n\n
If a DoD Boarder learns a Pet approved in our network is not spayed or neutered, and does not meet one of our exceptions, that they contact Dogs on Deployment Customer Service at info@dogsondeployment.org. <\/p>\n","is_active":"T","dated":"2014-05-23","is_deleted":"F","submitted_by":"A","category":"B"},{"faq_id":"15","question":"Who pays for a pet\u2019s care while its owner is deployed?","answer":"The owner remains financially responsible for any pet being boarded by a DoD Boarder. The pet owner is responsible for covering expenses related to pet care such as, but not limited to, food, veterinarian expenses, toys, supplies, etc. See our DoD Boarding Contract for more information regarding financial responsibility of the Pet Owner.","is_active":"T","dated":"2014-05-23","is_deleted":"F","submitted_by":"A","category":"B"},{"faq_id":"25","question":"What needs to be done if a boarding situation falls through and the Pet Owner is already gone?","answer":"If a DoD Boarder comes to some situation which prohibits them from continuing to care for the Pet they agreed to help during the Pet Owner's military commitment, they first need to immediately get in contact with the Pet Owner. If there is some behavioral problem, the Pet Owner may be able to provide guidance on how to help remedy the problem. If there is some other issue, the Pet Owner needs to be in compliance with finding another better suited DoD Boarder. Current DoD Boarders should refer to their completed DoD Boarding Contract for what to do as a secondary or emergency option. Either the DoD Boarder or secondary\/emergency contact should retain care for the Pet and assist the Pet Owner in finding better placement. This should all be done with permission from the Pet Owner. First, the Pet must be relisted on Dogs on Deployment. To do this, the DoD Boarder or Pet Owner must \"Cancel the Deployment\" of that Pet to take them out of the DoD Successfully Deployed Pets database. Second, the Pet Owner must log in and reactivate their account. Third, it is recommended that the Pet Owner contacts us to let us know the situation and get their Pet reposted on our social media sites. Finally, the Pet Owner, or acting Pet Owner shall use the DoD network to find a suitable home for the Pet. Once another DoD Boarder home has been found and finalized, the Pet may be \"Deployed\" to the new DoD Boarder. ","is_active":"T","dated":"2014-06-28","is_deleted":"F","submitted_by":"A","category":"B"},{"faq_id":"34","question":"Is my time spent volunteering to board a military pet able to be used as a tax-write off?","answer":"Unfortunately, no. Volunteer service in the form of time is not considered an appropriate expense to write off on your taxes in accordance with IRS regulations. Even if you professionally board pets, you cannot write off free or donated boarding as an expense. For example, if the average cost per week to board a pet in a professional facility is $100\/week, and you board a military pet through Dogs on Deployment for six weeks free of charge, you cannot write off $600 on your taxes. You can however write off appropriate expenses related to the care of a military pet through Dogs on Deployment if the expenses have not have been reimbursed by the charity or the military Pet Owner, the expenses are directly tied to the volunteer service provided to Dogs on Deployment, have been incurred only because of the boarding or a military pet through Dogs on Deployment and are not personal, living, or family expenses. Examples may include mileage or transportation expenses related to the obtaining or return of a military pet through Dogs on Deployment to their original owner, or expenses related to the pet's care that the military member did not reimburse you for. In order to take these deductions, DoD Boarders must itemize their deductions on their tax return and keep accurate records. Dogs on Deployment cannot give further tax advice to DoD Boarders beyond what is stated in this FAQ. Please contact a tax professional for further assistance or to learn more about IRS regulations regarding volunteer service, please visit www.irs.gov and review the \"IRS Publication 526, Charitable Contributions.\"","is_active":"T","dated":"2017-03-15","is_deleted":"F","submitted_by":"A","category":"B"},{"faq_id":"45","question":"Where is the Boarding Contract?","answer":"Prior to September 1, 2017, Dogs on Deployment recommended all military pet owners complete a DoD Boarding Contract (downloadable PDF) with their DoD Boarder. On our new site, the Boarding Contract is now referred to as the Boarding & Care Plan, and it is completed by the pet owner online as a part of the application process. All information previously included in the Boarding Contract is now included in the Boarding & Care Plan. Once a pet is deployed online to a DoD Boarder, that DoD Boarder will have access to view the Boarding & Care Plan as completed by the pet owner, with 24-7 online accessibility.","is_active":"T","dated":"2017-09-02","is_deleted":"F","submitted_by":"A","category":"B"},{"faq_id":"47","question":"What does DoD's Terms of Use say about damaged property by a boarded pet?","answer":"
DoD Boarders acknowledge and agree that neither Dogs on Deployment nor a Military Pet Owner(s) have any responsibility to reimburse or otherwise cover you for any property damage that may be caused by a Pet in Need which is being boarded, unless the DoD Boarder provides proof of damages done by guest pet(s) to the Military Pet Owner prior to receiving damage repair or cleaning services. This may include, but is not limited to, photos or video of scratched or chewed on furniture, or estimate done by professional cleaning service verifying the presence of urine in carpet or furniture. It must be beyond a responsible doubt that the damage was done by the guest Pet(s), and not by a resident pet. A reimbursement or payment plan to cover said damages by the Military Pet Owner shall be agreed upon prior to the DoD Boarder receiving repair or cleaning services. If repair or cleaning services are rendered prior to making an agreement with the Military Pet Owner, the DoD Boarder shall provide proof of damage retroactively. The Military Pet Owner shall reimburse the DoD Boarder in a manner which is fair based on the proof of the damages and what was previously agreed upon in the DoD Boarding & Care Plan. All receipts of the repair or cleaning services shall be provided by the DoD Boarder to the Military Pet Owner for reimbursement or payment. All parties hereby agree not to seek any such reimbursement or other damages from Dogs on Deployment in the event of any such property damage.
\n
\nIn other words, if a pet in boarding damages a DoD Boarder's personal property, there must be proof that the damage was done by the boarded pet, and not by a resident pet, person or guest. The DoD Boarder must get a written agreement from the Military Pet Owner that they agree to reimburse or pay for damages prior to expecting reimbursement or payment. By boarding a pet through Dogs on Deployment, the DoD Boarder accepts the risk and responsibility of possible personal property damage.<\/p>\n","is_active":"T","dated":"2017-09-04","is_deleted":"F","submitted_by":"A","category":"B"},{"faq_id":"48","question":"What should DoD Boarder do if they are asked to board a pet which is not compatible with their household?","answer":"The DoD Boarder should tell the Military Pet Owner that unfortunately the Pet will not work out in their home. Dogs on Deployment does not recommend taking a pet in if pet or the boarding situation is not compatible, as this can cause greater problems once boarding begins and the military member is gone.","is_active":"T","dated":"2017-09-04","is_deleted":"F","submitted_by":"A","category":"B"},{"faq_id":"49","question":"What does DoD's Terms of Use say about a boarded pet who bites a person or other animal during boarding?","answer":"
Dogs who have ever been involved in a dog bite suit are not allowed to be listed through our network if found guilty of any physical harm. Additionally, any dog which has a record of aggression, has bitten another animal or person and broke skin, or has killed another animal, is prohibited from using our network. Any dogs which may be a risk to DoD Boarders, people or other animals will not be approved for pet boarding services. Dogs on Deployment may request references from a Military Pet Owner's veterinarian, boarding facility or past DoD Boarder to confirm a lack of aggression before approving a listing for a Pet in Need. <\/p>\n\n
Military Pet Owners should ensure that any dog that is boarded through Dogs on Deployment, is covered by dog-bite insurance before any Pet Boarding Services begin. Any dog which has previously been involved in a dog bite incident, or has a history of aggression with other animals, people or especially children, is absolutely not allowed to be listed on Dogs on Deployment as a Pet in Need, however Dogs on Deployment has no way of verifying a dog’s past history, and is reliant on honest disclosure from Military Pet Owners. Should a Pet in Need be boarded with a DoD Boarder bite another animal or person, the DoD Boarder shall immediately contact the Military Pet Owner and Dogs on Deployment. The Military Pet Owner will be responsible for all damages done by their Pet, to include any medical coverage needed to treat a bite victim. The DoD Boarder has the sole discretion to continue to board a Pet who has proven to be a liability or aggressive, and has been involved in a bite. If the DoD Boarder no longer wishes to board a Pet who has bitten during boarding, the Military Pet Owner must do everything in reason to find alternate care for their Pet, but may not utilize Dogs on Deployment’s network. This may include professional boarding services.<\/p>\n\n
In the rare case that a dog boarded through Dogs on Deployment by a DoD Boarder causes death of another pet, or causes significant injury to any human that requires medical treatment while in boarding, the DoD Boarder must contact Dogs on Deployment immediately. Dogs on Deployment will contact the local animal control authorities to file a complaint, and this may result in the dog being relinquished to animal control for public safety. Dogs on Deployment assumes no liability for the dog if dog is relinquished, due to a dog bite resulting in death or injury, to animal control and it is the responsibility of the Military Pet Owner to contact and coordinate care. <\/p>\n\n
The DoD Boarder has the right to enter into a legal dog bite dispute against the Military Pet Owner. Any dog which has bitten during boarding, should remain in a protective muzzle as appropriate, to be purchased by the Military Pet Owner, until the Pet is placed in a more appropriate home in order to prevent another bite from occurring. Specific instructions for DoD Boarders on how to handle a dog bite with regards to the Pet during boarding should be fully disclosed in the Boarding & Care Plan.<\/p>\n","is_active":"T","dated":"2017-09-04","is_deleted":"F","submitted_by":"A","category":"B"},{"faq_id":"50","question":"Can DoD Boarders ask or require a boarding fee to board a military pet through Dogs on Deployment?","answer":"No. Dogs on Deployment strictly forbids DoD Boarders from asking for a boarding fee to reimburse for their time or services. However, it is required that military pet owners remain financially responsible for the basic care of their pet while in boarding.","is_active":"T","dated":"2017-09-04","is_deleted":"F","submitted_by":"A","category":"B"},{"faq_id":"53","question":"What are some things DoD Boarders can request military pet owners do prior to boarding begins?","answer":"There are several things that should occur prior to boarding begins, further discussed under our Resource pages. However, some basic things that DoD Boarders can request military pet owners to do prior to boarding include: putting a credit card on file with their veterinarian in case of an emergency or veterinarian care is needed in their absence, ensuring an active dog bite insurance policy to protect their pet, ensuring an active medical pet insurance to protect their pet during boarding from illness or injury expenses, and to be provided with a full copy of their Pet\u2019s medical and vaccination records.","is_active":"T","dated":"2017-09-04","is_deleted":"F","submitted_by":"A","category":"B"},{"faq_id":"54","question":"What is the Boarding & Care Plan?","answer":"The Boarding & Care Plan is an online form which is completed by military pet owners during the application process. The Boarding & Care Plan is a comprehensive form which includes information and instructions relevant to the care of the pet including, general care information, veterinarian history, boarding instructions, and emergency and contingency contacts. Once a pet is deployed online to a DoD Boarder, that DoD Boarder will have access to view the Boarding & Care Plan as completed by the pet owner, with 24-7 online accessibility. The goal of the Boarding & Care Plan is to encourage discussion and planning concerning the pet's care between the DoD Boarder and military pet owner prior to boarding beginning to cover any potential issues, and expectations for how care should be given.","is_active":"T","dated":"2017-09-05","is_deleted":"F","submitted_by":"A","category":"B"},{"faq_id":"55","question":"Does a Boarding & Care Plan need to be completed for every Pet in Need?","answer":"Yes, a Boarding & Care Plan is required to be completed in its entirety for each Pet in Need associated to a military pet owner account prior to an approval consideration is given. This is because if a military pet owner ends up using multiple and different DoD Boarders, the DoD Boarder will only receive access to the Boarding & Care Plan for the pet in their care. So, if a Boarding & Care Plan was only completed on one pet, and a second pet is deployed, the DoD Boarder for the second pet will not have access to any information included in the first pet's Boarding & Care Plan. Also, each pet requires slightly different care, which is defined in the Boarding & Care Plan.","is_active":"T","dated":"2017-09-05","is_deleted":"F","submitted_by":"A","category":"B"}]}