Ratting out the Enemy

 

When Sgt. Alex Kramer was deployed in January for his second tour in Afghanistan, he didn’t expect his invaders to have whiskers. Tearing up his combat zone and personal gear, infantries of rats and mice soon became his enemy. As is the case in many U.S. military bases in the Middle East, plagues of rodents have diminished the quality of life for soldiers abroad and raised a serious need for rat and mouse traps. Woodstream Corporation, parent company of rodent control leader, Victor, recognizes that the troops have more important tasks at hand than fighting off rodents. Since the first Gulf War, the company has been a proud ally in the battle against rodents where U.S. armed forces work and serve by making cases of Victor rat and mouse traps available for donation to active troops.

“We weren’t prepared to deal with mice and rat infestations, which only add to the stress of living here in Afghanistan,” says Kramer. “When my mom heard that Victor was donating mouse and rat traps to active troops, she contacted them and requested traps be shipped to me. The traps have made a big difference in our everyday living, and I hope the word about this program spreads to other troops.”

To make its donations, Victor needs the help of consumers and friends or family of military personnel on active duty in combat zones. Each time a consumer purchases an electronic mouse trap at www.victor.com, Victor sets aside a case of 72 wooden snap mousetraps or 12 wooden snap rat traps for donation. “We currently have a significant supply of traps available for donation,” Victor spokeswoman Andrea Vogel stated. “Victor encourages military personnel and their friends and families to visit Victor’s website and request traps if they have the need. It’s a tangible way to help our troops.”

U.S. troops or their friends or family members can go to the Trap Request Form on the Victor website to request traps. Within two business days of a request, Victor ships the traps directly to the service member. “Support of the U.S. armed forces is a fundamental value of Victor. The company helped the war effort in World War II and has continued to do so ever since,” says Vogel. “We also support our U.S. veterans with our Victor Values Veterans program by donating $ .25 for every new Victor Facebook fan.”

The Victor Values Veterans Facebook donations go to Call of Duty Endowment, a non-profit re-employment organization. By providing resources, training and support, this organization helps veterans find jobs upon returning home from military service.

About Victor Rodent:

Recognized as a world leader in rodent control, Victor has been a trusted brand for more than 100 years. The company revolutionized rodent control in 1890 with the invention of the spring-based Victor mouse trap. Today, Victor has produced more than one billion of the iconic mouse traps and now offers the broadest line of rodent control products on the market including traps, repellents and poison.

About Woodstream Corp.:

Woodstream Corporation is a long-standing, privately held company and a leading manufacturer and marketer of more than 2500 quality-branded products that service the Lawn and Garden, Birding, Pet, Rodent Control, Hobby Farm, and Animal Control needs of consumers.