The following information is for your use in the adoption program. You may want to adopt a handler only – or adopt/support a kennel – or just want to send something to a military member. Please understand that do due mission requirements you may not immediately receive a personal response to your letter, E-Mail or package due to the traveling and type of work that our handlers are doing. They try to respond to everyone, but cannot always do so.  All efforts are appreciated by the troops, and they are sincerely grateful. Many friendships are made that last long beyond their deployment.

A thank you from the Afghanistan K-9 handlers:

"To all who are helping us out there….THANK YOU!!!!! We are only doing our job, what any one would do if asked. It is you who help us out, so that makes you our heroes!! God Bless, and thank you again."

MAILING INFORMATION:

You can basically use any size box that you want to as long as it doesn't have a lot of writing on it, and send it Priority Mail. It is better to use a couple of boxes instead of one large one as there is a total size limit/number of inches that can be sent. Or, there are two different size "flat rate" priority mail boxes that the post office has for free.  You can put anything you want in these, and they cost about $8.20 to ship.

FYI- there is a Form 2976 (Customs Declaration) that is at the Post Office that you have to fill out, you'll need to list approximately how many/what items are in the box & what the total cost is. For how to treat if they cannot find the person- mark as abandoned, then the box will stay at the base.

CAUTION: Double zip-lock bag any liquids or pastes, Send sealed packaged, do not repackage items- security/safety issue. NO PRESSURIZED CANS.

NO PORK or PORK BY-PRODUCTS!!!!!:  If you send beef sticks, make sure it says "no pork" on the 2976 Customs Declaration Form.

NO CROSSES: They are in Muslim countries, and having a cross found on them could mean death for them, angels are OK.

WHAT CAN YOU SEND OR WHAT IS BEING REQUESTED: 

(A GOOD SOURCE OF IDEAS FOR ALL KENNELS).

(Photos of our adopted members and some "gooddies sent" can be seen on the Adopt Photo Page)

These are some of the wish list items requested by our handlers in Afghanistan, Iraq, UAE and Kyzrgystan. These lists are not all inclusive as many handlers may personally request something different during their correspondence with you.

NO “GREENIES Dog Chews/Bones”

NOT ALLOWED BY MILITARY

Iraq kennels' wish list:

Board Games - Monopoly, Risk, etc (we have card games but no board games)
Dog Toys - without squeakers
Bleach – powdered

Disposable Hand Towelettes

Baby Wipes

Wipes for All Purpose Cleaning
Dish Soap
Dog Shampoo

Betty Crocker Warm Delights - Molten Caramel Cake and Lemon Cake - it is a microwaveable cake
Tang powdered drink mix
Candy – Any kind but no Chocolate
Cracker Jacks - This is a big hit
Some air fresheners - not pine scent but prefer cherry
Flavored powder coffee creamer - hazelnut
Pistachios - Salted Peanuts with or without shells - Salted Cashews
Coffee - any kind but prefer any french roast
Calling Cards
Capri Sun
Carnation Breakfast Drink Mix - Strawberry
DVD's - New Releases
PSP / PS2 Games
Fruit Snacks – Fruit by the Foot
Any medicines – Headaches, cold and flu
Sugar - even it is in cubes
Cups - plastic or whatever would be good to use for coffee
Post-Its

Exercise balls for dogs - hard plastic balls you can fill with sand or water so they can
push it around and bite it

Afghanistan/Kyrgystan wish list- items that they can use, but feel free to think up your own:

Board games, card games
Granola bars, power bars, etc.- (something wholesome they can take with them
instead of eating MREs)
Power bars for dogs
Moisturizing shampoo for dogs
Dog bowls with spill-proof lids (dogs get bottled water only) (WaterHoles)
People moisturizer (only 3 percent humidity there)
Dental floss
Silverware (they eat with really crappy plastic stuff)
Pillows (they have very small ones)
Old sheets (they sleep on Army wool blankets)
Air freshener (no cans, plug into outlet kind or candles)
Purell hand sanitizer
Disposable Hand Towelettes

Baby Wipes

Wipes for All Purpose Cleaning
Buttered Microwave popcorn
Microwave rice (like 90 second Uncle Bens)
Snack cakes.
Rice& Lamb/ Rice & Chicken Can Dog Food
They have tons of hotel size soap & shampoo.

UPDATE on EMAIL Requests

Ok folks just found out that canned food only goes to Iraq. The other dogs are not allowed to have it. So don’t know what the deal is but it is law and we must abide. Hmmmmm, guess I should clarify this. It is canned dog food we are talking about here. They all still need some soft treats and hard toys such as Kongs, Big air Tennis balls that squeak etc.

The gals are looking hard for body sprays, and such. Here is what is requested the most: Bath and Body Works Brown Sugar and Figs Body Spray. Hard toys, jerky for dogs, fitness magazines, people mags, Cosmo etc., liquid ice pops, dawn dish washing soap, fruit snack packs, air fresheners, plastic coat hangers, adhesive hooks. 

The guys are wanting Jerky, febreeze and lots of air freshners. All seem to want crystal light (all flavors) videos, magazines and books. Please keep the jerky to teriyaki or beef. So that seems to be the latest thing going around. Some are asking for pillows and single bed sheets. Seems they tend to get a bed but sheets and pillows and pillow cases are hard to come by. Grrrrrr! Nothing new I guess but it does make me mad that they can’t even do that for the guys and gals. Also envelopes and stationary. Home made goodies are always a premium item. So that is the latest list. As far as the body washes and sprays I am thinking several different flavors would be nice so as they could have a change of pace every now and again. Most of this stuff can be done in the shoeboxes too for Christmas. So there is the official update on that. Thanks so much to the FURminator Company and Dixie. She managed to get them to donate all the furminators they need. That was a substantial break for us! SO you can now remove that from the list.  They also still want those ice pops. The people in Kuwait and Qatar and korea still want the hard dog biscuits as well as some soft treats. The ones in Iraq want only soft treats for the moment. Thanks so much for all your help and support to our troops. You are the best!

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