Puppies need help in Afghanistan
Triathlon committee members are seeking help to transport Puppies!
A close friend and fellow triathlete, Steve, is working overseas in Afghanistan on a military base. While out for a daily run Steve stubbled upon a litter of 5 puppies. Standing orders on base are to exterminate the dogs, but being the animal lover he is, Steve is trying desperately to transport the dogs back to the states where he has homes ready to adopt the puppies. We are asking anyone with any resources, ideas, money, etc, to please help us out before it’s too late. Steve can be contacted via email at stephen.sipprell@gmail.com or on face book at http://www.facebook.com/#!/stephen.sipprell
Below are the latest email threads and pictures of the pups……….
To anyone who has expressed an interest here is a quick update on the puppies.
Although I was given the OK by the XO of the base here to gather the pups to rescue, the word did not filter down to the ranks. The Sargent Major put the order out to get rid of the pups. They reside under a connex trailer (basically and big shipping container you see on boats), and there is no way to get to them, unless the come out. The order that was given by the Sargent Major was to cement them in under the connex. While that was going on one was caught and given to the local Afghans on base to take into Kunduz city. This was one of the very cute white ones. Not to bum anyone out, but they take dogs around here and cut their ears and tails off, and treat them very poorly. Not sure why, but now you can understand why it is so depressing if you love dogs. So luckily one of the GIs I know came and told me about the entombing of the pups. After getting the Sargent Majors attention to the fact that the XO had given me a green light he called off the kill order. From there we tried unsuccessfully to get them all that night, but they were a little traumatized. Needless to say I was very bummed and disheartened by the whole situation.
Last night I had a little more success. I had all four at one point trapped so we could get to them, but I was by myself at this point, and two slipped back under the connex. The other two we managed to rescue, and I am happy to say that they are safe. Scared as all can be, and probably wondering what all is happening. It is very heartbreaking to see, but it is for the best. So tonight I will continue my efforts to locate the remaining two pups and reunite them with their brother and sister.
Getting the dogs to Kabul is not panning out as I hoped. We are now considering paying a local to drive them from here to Kabul, with payment once they are deemed safe by the vet down there. From there it is very likely that we will have to pay for their transportation to Frankfurt Germany. We are still awaiting word from Delta to help out in possibly allowing us to ship these guys back to the states. We have homes for some of them already, but not all are accounted for. We actually have someone here who wants the mother as well. I can understand because she is the sweetest thing .
I highly encourage those of you to look on the web site The Puppy Rescue Mission as they are the ones who will be assisting me in getting these pups to a new and happy home. I have puppy food and dry shampoo on the way to keep these guys going. Last night I picked all the ticks and whatever else I could find off of them to hopefully alleviate their trauma. This task has been physically and emotionally draining with all the other responsibilities I have here, but I feel I am past the point of no return in making sure these guys find a happy and loving home. Two down, two to go, and then it is a matter of finding a way to get these guys and girls back to the states.
Here are some pics, enjoy. PFC Jennifer Vogel will be the first recipient of one of these loving animals
Steve
Previous Emails
So many of you after reading this might think I am insane. I too question what exactly it is I am doing, but I feel as I have to try something. As many of you know I am a very huge dog lover. I have come across a few out here on our base that for the most part are taken care of. The military has put a few down as they are concerned for any diseases they may carry. I understand it, but it is hard to imagine as I have yet to find one that has been aggressive, and they are a friendly reminder of mine at home, that I miss very much. The other day while running on base I came across a litter of puppies. All about 6 weeks old and very cute. They are very timid, but obviously starved for food and shelter. I know their fate is dire if they remain here. Either the military will erracticate them, or they will slowly get sick and die. It is pretty heart breaking to me to think that either of these things could happen. I know I would be willing to take in one of these pups personally. I have reached out to the base commander for his help in getting these pups out of here, but it is pretty much up to me to make that happen.
I am not sure if it is even possible to get them out of here and shipped back to the US. I am willing to pay for the cost of getting these guys sent to the states, and then getting them treated. I have reached out to one organization so far to solicit their help in the logistics of transport and treatment. Not sure if I will get any support or response from them. Does anyone know of organizations or people who might have insight to this type of thing? It might go nowhere, but I can’t rightfully sleep knowing that these little guys have a dire fate without someones help. I feed them everyday, and try and play with them. I certainly have delevoped an attachment to them, which is probably the last thing I needed out here, but it is too late now.
Things to consider: Getting them shipped back to the US. Getting themscreened and shots. Finding them a good home (who wouldn’t want a dog with a cool story, and from Afghanistan. You just have to learn Pashtun or Dari to train them 
). I am willing to use my own finanical resources to help make this happen, but just do not know where to begin.
Please let me know if anyone thinks they have any ideas I can even keep these dogs at my house in GA until I find them a home, once they have been checked out.
Any and all help is much appreciated, even if this does not work out. Please pass this along to anyone who you may think would be able to help a good cause.
Steve Sipprell
Hi Stephen,
Thank you for wanting to rescue these beautiful babies. Have you had a chance to look at our website? We have been successful in getting almost 90 dogs home. I will need more information from you. What is the time frame we are dealing with? How far are you from Kabul? Do you think you can find a way to transport them to Kabul? Are you taking any of the dogs into your own home? Do you have homes for all of them? This may be a shock to you but the cost of getting the dogs to the USA is $3000 per dog and then depending where they go in the US the cargo fees run from $300-400 per dog. If we can transport via vehicle if they are on the east coast that’s even better. It sounds as though you have a lot of support but to raise over $15000 do you think this is something that is possible? Our mission is to help soldier’s rescue their animals and we also do help contractors but typically because of the salary contractors make we don’t raise funds for them however 5 dogs is ALOT so I would discuss with my board if we could possibly help raise some of the money to help. Let me know what you are personally able to afford and thing that you can raise. Also, another thing that could help, depending when you fly home if you can fly through India or Frankfurt Germany then you can bring some of the dogs with you as excess baggage and if you have friends willing to do so as well this cuts the cost more than half if not even more…. Let me know what you think. Hope to hear from you soon.
Warm Regards,
Anna Maria
Wow Anna where to begin. Seems daunting, but I keep telling myself this is something I have to figure out. Let me try and orderly answer your questions as I will take you lead on this matter. Yes I have looked over your website, and it motivates me even more. Let me start off by giving you my background. I am a Northrop Grumman contract pilot out here. I am assigned to a FOB in Kunduz. I am also an airline pilot back in the US. I have many friends that work for the major airlines, and have reached out to them for their help. Let me answer your questions first, and then throw ideas at you. The cost of this endeavor it one of the bigger hurdles to me.
1. It is about 160 miles from Kunduz to Kabul. We fly into Maja E Shareef (Mes) which is about 80 miles to the West. Kabul is directly south. Both bases are large transport bases, and there is daily contracted helicopter service twice daily to Mes. The airport here in Kunduz also has a lot of fixed wing service to Kabul. So getting the pups to Kabul will take some work, but I am sure as a fellow pilot I could possibly fenegal the trip to either Kabul or Mes. Mes for certain would be easiest. Unless you have insight to this it will take a little research and goodwill I hope to make that leg happen. Once in either location I am at a loss. I may even be able to go with them to Mes to hand them off to someone or help coordinate their transportation out of Afghanistan. Then the question is form there where do they go.I have a pilot friend for Delta that said he could possibly get them from Dubai to Atlanta, GA on a delta flight. Only question is how would I get them to Dubai. This option might be best from a financial perspective if he can arrange Delta to waive the cost. Not definite, but he offered, and I told him to look into it. Perhaps even if we can get them into Europe, Delta maybe an option.
2. I am considering taking a dog into my home. There are 5 pups, and I would think I could take one. I have put the word out to many of my friends to please ask around, or to consider it themselves. My thought would be to foster them in the states at my house while we look to place them. I have a large home in GA that they could stay in until we place them. I also have many people that would care for them until we placed them (fostering) who wouldn’t want a dog with a cool story.
3. Money, yes I personally would contribute up to $2-$3K for this whole project. I am trying to use resources and placements to keep this to a minimum. AS much as I love dogs and really care for these little guys $15K is a lot to pay for anyone. I have already have people willing to pitch in for the cost, but $15K is a lot, and how long would it take to gather together. Yes if your board would consider this at all that would be huge. Perhaps not all, but anything would be greatly appreciated.
4. Homes for them. I understand that if we had designated homes already this would be fairly easier. I think I want to solicit guys here that may want one from this base (military guys). So if that was the case then we really would be in line with your organization. I am certain getting homes for these guys won’t be the hard part. If I can get everything else figured out the homes for these guys can be mine till I place them. In other words I am willing to foster them until I place them. This would also cut down on the cost of shipping them in the states. By the way I live in Atlanta, GA and there are plenty of people I know that would help me place them locally.
5. Time: Not sure how much time it will take to pull this all together and if the dogs well being will maintain until then. There is a standing order here on this base to not feed, water, or touch ferrule animals. I spoke to the base XO and he understands my plight, and is willing to turn the other way if I can pull this off. The policy is to have a local dog catcher come on base take the dogs 50nm away and drop them off. If they come back then the Army puts them down. Otherwise problem solved. So I told the commander if I can get these pups out of here it is a win, win. Army does not have them as a liability to anyone, and the dogs get a chance at a good life and home.
Well that is where I am. I plan to get a contact number for the contract helicopter pilots who fly in here. I have me them, and fellow pilot to pilot I think I can convince them to get them to Kabul. Then if I can get them to Frankfurt, Germany, I have plenty of friends in the airlines with free travel that could perhaps do a mercy mission to get them to the US for free, or cheap. Finally I have a very close friend who’s father is a Vet to possible check them out. Obviously, pay for the initial vaccinations and supplies, and neutering. If not perhaps I can solicit my Vet to help out in a humanity effort. Not sure what documents, quarantine status, and any other legal ramifications would be required with customs in bringing a foreign, stray into the states.
Anna I can not thank you enough for reaching out to me to even discuss. I will continue my mission until I hit the proverbial brick wall. I just hope time is on their side to make this happen.
Btw I can call you. If it is easier to discuss over the phone. I have a local Roshan mobile phone I can call to the US fairly cheap. Don’t mind for this cause.
Thanks again.
Steve
