“Tour pets” are not uncommon in times of war. From my own experience serving in Afghanistan, many platoons and sections adopted local dogs or cats to have as mascots, or for the moral support that they provided. In our case, we took in a puppy named “gougoune,” which is a colloquial term in Quebec for “flip-flop” sandals. Every night, one of us would take turns caring for her.

This list of soldiers and cats who became friends overseas is a touching reminder of humanity, demonstrating that even during times of war, there are moments of beauty and kindness.

Do you have tour photos with a platoon cat? Post your pictures below, or vote on your favorite!

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

Soldier With A Kitten

Soldier With A Kitten

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Snow
Snow
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

they have a very alert rearguard. ;)

22
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#2

Soldier And A Cat

Soldier And A Cat

Animal Connection 2009 Report

Final score:
185points
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#3

My Shy Friend In Afghanistan

My Shy Friend In Afghanistan

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Final score:
181points
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#4

Stray Kitten Sleeping On My Buddy, Afghanistan 2009

Stray Kitten Sleeping On My Buddy, Afghanistan 2009

imgur.com Report

Final score:
179points
POST
DonGuild
DonGuild
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A little bit of love in the midst of brutality.

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#5

Soldier With A Kitten

Soldier With A Kitten

Kathy Whilden Report

Final score:
175points
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SarahGensler
SarahGensler
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is an adorable picture.

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#6

He Just Crawled Up There And Curled Up

He Just Crawled Up There And Curled Up

wingless7 Report

Final score:
173points
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DonGuild
DonGuild
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cats and people a meant to be together.

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#7

A French Soldier Feeding His Kitten, Indochina 1956

A French Soldier Feeding His Kitten, Indochina 1956

demons.swallowthesky.org Report

Final score:
168points
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Lori Fuss
Lori Fuss
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awwww sharing a snack. Beautiful

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#8

Private Awesome Is Feeding A Kitten

Private Awesome Is Feeding A Kitten

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Final score:
168points
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#9

A Kitten Is Nestled In The Trouser Pocket Of A U.S. Soldier

A Kitten Is Nestled In The Trouser Pocket Of A U.S. Soldier

DVIDSHUB Report

Final score:
166points
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JessicaCarroll
JessicaCarroll
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"FIGHT!!!!!!" - The Kitten In The Pocket

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#10

Afghan Kitten

Afghan Kitten

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Final score:
165points
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EarlGrey
EarlGrey
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the cat is smiling >w< he's happy!

14
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#11

Little Cuties

Little Cuties

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Final score:
154points
Olya Kuzmyn
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#12

Soldier With A Kitten

Soldier With A Kitten

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Final score:
152points
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RobinFahr
RobinFahr
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A baby with a baby.... <3

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#13

Making Friends With The Locals In Afghanistan

Making Friends With The Locals In Afghanistan

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Final score:
150points
Courtney Hyland
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MaxineFultz
MaxineFultz
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How could you not be friends?

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#14

My Nephew Is Serving In Afghanistan

My Nephew Is Serving In Afghanistan

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Final score:
142points
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#15

Every Cat Loves A Man In Uniform

Every Cat Loves A Man In Uniform

Laurie C. Report

Final score:
138points
POST
SallBarcíková
SallBarcíková
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Soldiers are adorable but soldiers with cats or kitties.... that's just life goal! <3 need it !!

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#16

A British Soldier “Shakes Hands” With A Kitten On A Snowy Bank

A British Soldier “Shakes Hands” With A Kitten On A Snowy Bank

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Final score:
75points
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Su Heysham
Su Heysham
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the face of adversity love is there if you look

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#17

Soldier With A Cat

Soldier With A Cat

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Final score:
67points
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Avery Woods (06)
Avery Woods (06)
Community Member
2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

at least the cats cute u know what i mean peeps but thank u for the service

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-1point
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#18

Soldier Sleeping With A Kitten

Soldier Sleeping With A Kitten

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Final score:
67points
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CrackrJax
CrackrJax
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Freaking cuteness overload

6
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#19

A Ukrainian Soldier Holds A Cat As He Receives Warm Clothes

A Ukrainian Soldier Holds A Cat As He Receives Warm Clothes

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Final score:
66points
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#20

Palestinian Soldier Stroking A Kitten

Palestinian Soldier Stroking A Kitten

feda2y Report

Final score:
65points
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KittyBuns
KittyBuns
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love it. Such a contradictory image ^ω^

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#21

Kitten And His Cuddle Buddy

Kitten And His Cuddle Buddy

Eric Report

Final score:
63points
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Lori Fuss
Lori Fuss
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He needs to go home with you.

1
1point
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#22

The Cat And The Soldier

The Cat And The Soldier

Jessy Dou Report

Final score:
62points
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NaomiCline
NaomiCline
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

beautiful picture, this looks like a TIME shot

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#23

Soldier With A Cat

Soldier With A Cat

forrevva Report

Final score:
62points
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KimberleyTucker-Hood
KimberleyTucker-Hood
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love that the dog in the background is keeping an eye on the cat!

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#24

Met This Cutie Outside The Barracks Today

Met This Cutie Outside The Barracks Today

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Final score:
61points
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#25

Soldiers Playing With Kittens

Soldiers Playing With Kittens

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Final score:
61points
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#26

Soldier Playing With A Kitten

Soldier Playing With A Kitten

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Final score:
59points
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Lori Fuss
Lori Fuss
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where do the kitties go after this.

2
2points
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#27

Deployed To The Middle East, We Got A "Working Cat" To Catch Mice

Deployed To The Middle East, We Got A "Working Cat" To Catch Mice

eppemsk Report

Final score:
59points
POST
LuciaLintnerová
LuciaLintnerová
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

well he certainly caught a friend :)

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#28

French Soldier In Kosovo

French Soldier In Kosovo

02varvara.wordpress.com Report

Final score:
59points
POST
Lori Fuss
Lori Fuss
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Take kitty home with u if u can

2
2points
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#29

Big, Tough Soldier With His Kitty

Big, Tough Soldier With His Kitty

michealenems Report

Final score:
58points
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FridaHarila
FridaHarila
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I caught a fish once it was THIS BIG!

11
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#30

Kitten Helping The Soldier

Kitten Helping The Soldier

galbaatar.wordpress.com Report

Final score:
58points
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FridaHarila
FridaHarila
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The cat Is like: locked and load...

7
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#31

Soldier And A Kitten

Soldier And A Kitten

Everett Steele Report

Final score:
55points
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#32

Soldiers Feeding A Kitten

Soldiers Feeding A Kitten

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Final score:
53points
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Lori Fuss
Lori Fuss
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the sweetist. Are u going to try to take kitty home. Dont know if they allow it.

3
3points
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#33

Found These Kittens In Afghanistan

Found These Kittens In Afghanistan

imgur.com Report

Final score:
52points
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#34

Soldier With A Cat

Soldier With A Cat

imgur.com Report

Final score:
52points
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LuciaLintnerová
LuciaLintnerová
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

oh i love his expression ... and he loves the cat :)

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#35

Soldiers With A Cat

Soldiers With A Cat

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Final score:
51points
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#36

Ukrainian Patrol

Ukrainian Patrol

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Final score:
51points
Olia Mygal
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#37

Syrian Fighter Feeding Cat

Syrian Fighter Feeding Cat

What_No_Cookie Report

Final score:
49points
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#38

This Is Mittens, We Rescued Her Personally From The Evil Shared Torture

This Is Mittens, We Rescued Her Personally From The Evil Shared Torture

stom Report

Final score:
48points
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Lori Fuss
Lori Fuss
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good for u. Take her home and love her.

3
3points
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#39

Soldier With A Cat

Soldier With A Cat

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Final score:
48points
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#40

Soldier With A Cat

Soldier With A Cat

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Final score:
48points
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#41

Soldier With A Cat

Soldier With A Cat

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Final score:
47points
POST
#42

Soldier With A Cat

Soldier With A Cat

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Final score:
47points
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#43

Soldier With A Cat

Soldier With A Cat

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Final score:
47points
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#44

Cat In War

Cat In War

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Final score:
45points
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#45

Getting Together

Getting Together

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Final score:
44points
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#46

Gremlin On Patrol

Gremlin On Patrol

gremlin_soldier_4693 Report

Final score:
43points
POST
#47

Soldier With A Kitten

Soldier With A Kitten

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Final score:
42points
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#48

Soldier Nurses Cat Back To Health

Soldier Nurses Cat Back To Health

OMARCOMINYO Report

Final score:
42points
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Lori Fuss
Lori Fuss
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And takes him home hopefully

2
2points
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#49

Real Men Love Cats

Real Men Love Cats

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Final score:
42points
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#50

Soldiers Playing With A Kitten

Soldiers Playing With A Kitten

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Final score:
40points
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#51

They Share A Special Bond

They Share A Special Bond

Eric Report

Final score:
38points
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Lori Fuss
Lori Fuss
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They need to bond to his forever home

2
2points
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#52

My Best Buddies In Camp Price, Afghanistan

My Best Buddies In Camp Price, Afghanistan

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Final score:
38points
Camilla Winkel
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Lori Fuss
Lori Fuss
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Best buds are great to have

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#53

U.S. Soldier Strokes A Cat

U.S. Soldier Strokes A Cat

Ticube Report

Final score:
37points
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#54

Cat, Soldiers, A Bomb And A Flower...

Cat, Soldiers, A Bomb And A Flower...

pantip.com Report

Final score:
30points
Ela Düzova
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#55

Soldier Handing Cat To Kid

Soldier Handing Cat To Kid

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Final score:
6points
Karie Davis
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