My name is Daniel Rindone, and I’m writing to ask for your help. You see, I am a former Army Special Operations Non-Commissioned Officer who saved a dog from Syria last year with SPCA International’s help.

Today, dozens of other soldiers – including the one in this photo – are anxiously waiting to have their pets saved. Please donate $55 now to help them.  Any amount would be helpful!

You’ve seen the headlines. During the last month, U.S. soldiers have been rapidly pulling out of Syria. Those who thought they had months left at their location, were told they would be shipping out in days.

A flood of requests to save camp mascots and battle buddies have come in to us from these soldiers. These brave men and women have scrambled to deliver their dogs and cats into SPCA International’s care. But I would like to share the words of just one soldier with you. He has asked that we don’t share his photo, name or other identifying information because there could be serious ramifications for him.

Email from U.S. Army Soldier Deployed in Syria:
My name is  XXX . I’m a   XXXX  Syria, leaving behind our Kurdish friends. It is an order that will haunt me for the rest of my life. From our camp along the   XXXX we drove 6 hours to XXXX . It was there that I met up with a linguist friend,     XXXX , who was serving with our headquarters at the XXXx ; he had rescued a puppy.

When orders came for them to evacuate, their site was absolute chaos. The entire camp was set on fire and they left early when mortar rounds began to cook off in a warehouse only 100 meters away. They were not able to take even their own belongings, but he was able to get this pup out and he brought her to XXXXX . I told him that I had rescued a dog from Afghanistan years prior and he asked me to promise to get her to XXXx and take her to the states, I told him I would do my best.

I wasn’t able to help my Kurdish friends who I had become so close to over these past 5 months, the friends that I had shared meals with and joked and sang and danced with, so I’m really hoping to save this puppy from everything she would be subject to. She looks to be about 7-8 weeks old. I just made a 17-hour drive with her in the truck from XXX and arrived in XXX 2 hours ago. If there is anything I can do to get this puppy home please let me know because I don’t want to break my promise to a friend, and I assure you she will have a great life in the United States with my other two dogs.

PLEASE HELP NOW

I know this email seems unbelievable. But I assure you it is real. When I read this message, it cut straight to my heart and I knew it needed to be shared with you. Thank you for reading and thank you for considering a donation this Veterans Day to help this solider…and so many more.

Gratefully,

Daniel Rindone
SPCA International Board Member
Former Army Special Operations Non-Commissioned Officer

PS: With the huge influx of animals, the upcoming weeks will be extremely costly and complicated, but we can’t leave these animals behind. The soldiers and their pets are counting on your generosity. Please, donate today.

Note: All donations received will be immediately used to rescue animals from Syria. After which, any excess will be directed to help other military service members, veterans and their pets through SPCAI’s programs Operation Baghdad Pups: Worldwide and Operation Military Pets.