Arizona organization offers free pet sitting services to military members

PHOENIX — An Arizona-based organization is looking to help military members by offering them free pet-sitting services this holiday season.

Villa La Paws Pet Resort and Spa, a pet spa based out of Mesa, Arizona, is bringing back its annual “Operation Home for the Holidays” program this winter season. The program offers free pet-sitting and boarding services for active and retired military members while they go away on vacation.

A photo posted by @villalapaws on Jul 30, 2014 at 9:52am PDT

Elizabeth Ryan with the pet resort said the program helps military members and their families get home for the holidays to spend a worry-free time with their loved ones. “For pet owners, they are basically a part of the family,” she said. “We want to take away any worries or concerns and let servicemen and women get home and spend time with their families.” The program was started in 2009 by Villa La Paws owner and CEO Tom Murray. When Murray passed away earlier this year, the company said they wanted to continue the holiday program to help service members as best they could. Ryan said all animals wishing to take part in the program must be spayed and neutered, have up-to-date shots and pass a temperament evaluation. “All the animals are cage-free, so they must be able to get along with one another ,” she said. “Operation Home for the Holidays” will gift up to five nights of free pet boarding until Jan. 10. The resort’s three locations — one in Phoenix, Glendale and Scottsdale — will take dogs, but only the Glendale location will board cats as well. 

A photo posted by @villalapaws on Nov 14, 2013 at 6:13am PST

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