Right Place, Right Time: The Rescue That Changed Two Lives Forever

Photo courtesy of Paws of War

Paws of War’s last-minute international kitten rescue became a lifeline for a grieving U.S. Army veteran.

 NESCONSET, N.Y. – (January  2026) – Sometimes timing is everything, especially when it comes to animal rescues. That’s precisely what is behind the miraculous and beautiful story of Peamer and how she touched multiple lives. While her story began tragically in the Middle East, it continues safely and securely in the U.S., as she was matched with a U.S. Army veteran who needed her just as much as she needed him.

“This is a fantastic rescue that speaks volumes about timing and connections,” said Robert Misseri, co-founder of Paws of War. “We are so happy to be able to be a part of helping to make this a success story that is going to be good for Peamer and for the veteran with whom she is with now.”

Peamer, along with her five siblings,

was born near a U.S. Army base in a war-torn region of the Middle East. While the litter had a half-chance to start with, it wasn’t long before a wild animal attacked it, and the mother fled with four of the babies. Left behind were Peamer and her brother, Rocket. The pair were too young and defenseless to survive on their own, so the soldiers took them in and nursed them around the clock. They provided the care, warmth, and bottle feedings that were necessary to keep them alive. 

While Rocket was unable to survive the incident, Peamer did. She went on to grow and bond with the unit, becoming a source of comfort and companionship to soldiers far from home. Recognizing how fragile she was, the Army crew reached out to Paws of War for help. Paws of War immediately deployed a team, including a veterinary technician, to reach Peamer’s remote location and transport her on a grueling 16 hour drive to the nearest veterinary hospital. What followed were months of intensive medical care, round the clock feedings, and steady monitoring. It took weeks for Peamer to gain even a single ounce, but with consistent treatment and care funded entirely by Paws of War, she slowly began to turn the corner. When she was finally strong enough to travel, Paws of War navigated a complex relocation process, including the custom creation of a special travel crate designed to accommodate her tiny size while allowing for frequent feedings. The soldiers who saved her had one wish, that she would be safe and loved, and Paws of War made that wish their mission, ultimately finding the perfect adoption match for Peamer in the United States.

The timely manner of Peamer’s rescue lined up perfectly with the matching of a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran,

Anthony Bracchi, who had recently lost his wife and beloved cat. Once the two were paired, Bracchi knew it was a perfect match. He found her to be the source of comfort, companionship, and healing that he needed. The two of them instantly bonded.

“After losing my wife and my cat, the house was unbearably quiet,” said Anthony Bracchi, a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran. “Peamer didn’t just come into my life—she brought it back. I truly believe we found each other exactly when we were supposed to.”

Peamer’s story is an excellent example of the type of work and mission that Paws of War is committed to for soldiers and veterans. Their mission includes honoring soldiers’ requests, helping veterans heal, and doing what they can to ensure that animals who survive unimaginable conditions receive the love and care they need. Their work is made possible by funding from the community.

“This story captures the heart of our mission,” said Misseri. “They both needed each other. There couldn’t be a better match than this, and we love that we were able to help play a role in making it happen.”

Paws of War focuses on helping active duty soldiers and veterans in a variety of ways. They have helped relocate the rescued pets of overseas military members. They have helped veterans with numerous issues, including suicide prevention, service and support dogs, companion cats and dogs, food insecurity, veterinary care, etc. Paws of War has a large, loyal following of supporters and looks forward to working with new corporate sponsors to support these life-saving programs. To donate to help their missions, visit their site at http://pawsofwar.org. 

About Paws of War

Paws of War is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization that assists military members and their pets, rescues and trains dogs to be service dogs, and provides companion animals to veterans and first responders. To learn more about Paws of War and the programs provided or donate, visit its site at http://pawsofwar.org.