irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $0War Torn PupsWhen U.S. Military are deployed overseas, they sometimes find stray or abandoned dogs and cats. Many times strong bonds are formed with these animals desperate for food, safety and attention and the soldiers who care for them. There is no military process for deployed troops to get these animals that the soldiers love so much back to. the states, that is where the War Torn pups and cats program comes in. We have rescue partners around the world who can get these animals to safety from their location, receive the required veterinary care and do the complex paperwork to get these animals to the soldiers home in the U.S an reunite them.
- #2 $0Vets to VetsThe Organization provides veterinary care for the pets of Veterans and First Responders on fixed or with low incomes. Through this program the Organization also provides pet food and other resources so Veterans and First Responders can take care of their pets who are many times their lifeline.
named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
MWD Mission Well Done
Provides lifetime care and retirement support for military working dogs, ensuring their health and well-being after service.
Mobile Veterinary Clinic
Provides free veterinary care including wellness exams, vaccinations, and nail trimming to pets of veterans and first responders on low or fixed incomes through a mobile unit operating on Long Island.
PTSD Service Dogs
Trains rescued dogs to become service animals for veterans and first responders with PTSD, teaching them to intervene during flashbacks, reduce anxiety, and provide emotional support.
Ukraine Animal Rescue and Care
Conducts animal rescue missions in Ukraine, providing emergency care and relocation for animals affected by conflict.
Veteran Support Command Center
Offers housing assistance, emergency foster care for pets, and access to resources for homeless or hospitalized veterans and first responders to ensure they do not have to choose between care and keeping their animals.
War Torn Pups & Cats
Rescues and reunites U.S. military personnel with stray animals they bonded with during deployment overseas, providing veterinary care, transportation, and legal support to bring them safely to the United States.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Animal Welfare and Rescue Support 5 activities
- Deploying disaster response and animal rescue servicesResponds to natural disasters across the United States by deploying emergency animal rescue teams and distributing Pet Disaster Preparedness Kits to support pet owners in crisis situations and promote emergency planning.
- Providing lifetime care for retired military working dogsOffers safe, long-term housing and veterinary care for retired military working dogs, ensuring their health and well-being in a dedicated facility. This includes transportation and ongoing medical support for the duration of the animals' lives.
- Rescuing and rehoming beagles from research facilitiesTook in 15 beagles from the Ridglan Farms Research Facility when it ceased operations, providing care, evaluation, and placement into adoptive homes as companion animals.
- Rescuing and relocating animals for military personnel deployed overseasConducts international rescue operations to save dogs and cats bonded with U.S. troops during deployment, providing veterinary care, immigration logistics, and transportation to reunite animals with service members in the United States. Operations include active missions from conflict zones such as the Middle East and Ukraine.
- Rescuing animals from abuse, neglect, and disaster zonesRescues dogs from puppy mills, cases of severe neglect and abuse, and natural disasters across the United States, including responses to Hurricanes Helene and Milton and California wildfires. Animals are evaluated for health and readiness for adoption into supportive homes.
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Animal-Assisted Support Services 3 activities
- Facilitating companion animal adoption for veterans and first respondersPlaces rescued dogs and companion animals with veterans, first responders, and Gold Star families. Provides training and ongoing support to ensure successful integration and emotional benefits, including social and emotional development for individuals on the autism spectrum.
- Operating a therapy dog program for veterans and seniorsRuns a therapy dog program that provides emotional support and companionship to veterans and seniors, helping reduce feelings of loneliness, disassociation, and anxiety through structured animal-assisted interactions.
- Training service dogs for veterans and first respondersProvides comprehensive training for service dogs to support veterans and first responders with physical and emotional needs, including PTSD intervention, mobility assistance, medication reminders, guiding during flashbacks, and anxiety mitigation. Training is tailored to individual needs and includes ongoing support for effective handler-dog partnerships.
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Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Services 1 activity
- Operating a mobile veterinary clinic for pets of veterans and first respondersProvides free veterinary services including wellness exams, vaccinations, rabies shots, microchipping, and nail trimming through a mobile clinic. Services are delivered on-site at designated locations, such as Long Island, and are based on financial need.
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Lost and Found Pet Reunification Services 1 activity
- Providing financial and logistical support for animal reunification with military personnelOffers financial assistance to cover veterinary care, transportation, and immigration logistics required to reunite deployed military personnel with animals they bonded with in war zones, ensuring safe and legal relocation to the United States.
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Supportive and Emergency Housing Services 1 activity
- Providing housing and support services for veterans with petsOffers housing assistance and essential resources such as pet fencing, food, and other necessities to support veterans and first responders with low incomes in retaining their pets. Includes emergency foster care for pets of hospitalized veterans and temporary sheltering during mental health crises.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$6.15M
Contributions & grants$5.96M97%
Program service revenue$36K1%
Investment income$150K2%
Other revenue$3K
expenses
Total expenses$4.79M
Program expenses87%
Admin / overhead4%
Fundraising9%
Salaries & benefits$1.14M
Grants paid out$12K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$5.66M
Cash$4.29M
Investments$108K
Liabilities$312K
Net assets$5.34M
Liquid reserves11.0 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +47.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 3
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT MISSERI | President | 40 | $219K |
| DEREK B CARTWRIGHT | Coordinator | 40 | $117K |
| MICHAEL SOFARELLI | Manager | 40 | $105K |
board members · 6
- DANIEL FARDELLA — MEMBER
- DAWN AMATO — MEMBER
- HARRY STOLBERG — Treasurer
- JOHN BARNETT — MEMBER
- JOHN WALLS — Secretary
- ROBIN KEATS — MEMBER
relationships · 8
Who they work with
- Chewy Partner — Partner organization through which Paws of War maintains a wish list; a portion of purchases supports the organization.
- Hudson County Animal Response Team Coalition — Niki Dawson was former director; team focuses on local animal emergency response.
- La Boit Specialty Vehicles Partner — Renovated the mobile veterinary clinic vehicle at no charge for Paws of War.
- NJ State Animal Resource Team Coalition — Co-founded by Niki Dawson, who serves as Director of Animal Welfare and Logistics at Paws of War.
- Paws of War Network — Headquarters based in Nesconset, NY with additional chapters
- Somerset County Animal Response Team Coalition — Niki Dawson was former director; team focuses on local animal emergency response.
- U.S. military personnel Partner — Collaborates with U.S. military members who care for animals in conflict zones and seek their relocation.
- rescue partners around the world Partner — International partners who assist in rescuing animals from overseas locations and preparing them for transport to the U.S.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Companion Animals as Catalysts for Reintegrationmethodology: companion-animal-bondingBy fostering deep bonds between veterans and untrained companion animals, we improve emotional well-being and daily functioning, because the responsibility and unconditional support inherent in the relationship restore routine, purpose, and social connection.
- Mutual Healing Through Human-Animal Bondingmethodology: mutual_healing_modelBy pairing veterans and first responders affected by trauma with rescued animals, we support the healing of both human and animal suffering, because shared emotional recovery is reinforced through companionship, purpose, and reciprocal care.
- Service Dogs as Clinical Interventions for PTSDmethodology: canine-intervention-for-ptsdBy training service dogs to detect and respond to physiological and behavioral cues of PTSD—such as elevated heart rate or flashbacks—we reduce symptom severity and increase environmental safety, because animals provide non-judgmental, real-time emotional regulation and grounding.