Celebrating 20 Years of STARFLEET Petfleet!
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF STARFLEET PETFLEET! 20th Anniversary 2004 - 2024
Greetings, STARFLEET family and fellow pet enthusiasts! This year, we celebrated a truly momentous occasion: the 20th Anniversary of STARFLEET Petfleet (SFPet). As the current Director, I, FCap Randy Mitson, am honoured to reflect on two decades of incredible memories, growth, and the deep bond between STARFLEET members and their furry, feathered, and scaly companions.
A Journey Through Time and Space
STARFLEET Petfleet began in 2004 as the Pet Fleet Corps—a small but passionate initiative to incorporate our beloved pets into the STARFLEET experience. What started as an idea blossomed into something extraordinary, evolving with every year, and new leader. Our history is rich with milestones:
- 2004: The first beginnings or STARFLEET Petfleet was the Pet Fleet Corps’ Yahoo group. The USS Southern Cross from New Zealand’s Marine Brigade supports charities, contributing to efforts to rescue homeless pets.
- 2008: Under Captain John Schulte, Petfleet was officially integrated into STARFLEET. His vision laid the groundwork for everything we’ve become today.
- 2010: Captain Marie Anderson brought a renewed focus on animal welfare, increasing member engagement and expanding our mission to include support for pet charities. Although her time with us was tragically short, her legacy continues to inspire us.
- 2011: Fleet Captain James Cecil launched the first newsletter for Petfleet. James only retired from STARFLEET Petfleet in 2024.
- 2012-2014: Under COL Bobbie Baxter’s leadership, STARFLEET Petfleet underwent transformative growth and innovation in 2012 and 2013, introducing new leadership, themed events, and membership initiatives while fostering community ties and supporting animal welfare causes.
- 2014-2016: Commodore Lee Vitasek revitalized STARFLEET Petfleet by fostering online engagement, introducing free membership, and creating opportunities for pets and their owners to actively participate in the STARFLEET community.
- 2016-2023: Captain Frances Smith fostered community connections, further integrating Petfleet into STARFLEET’s culture and bringing members and their pets closer together.
- 2023-Present: Fleet Captain Randy Mitson stepped into this role with immense pride, aiming to honour the incredible work of my predecessors while building on their success.
To Captain Schulte, Captain Anderson, Fleet Captain Cecil, Colonel Baxter, Commander Lee Vitasek, and Captain Frances Smith: thank you for your leadership, dedication, and vision. STARFLEET Petfleet wouldn’t be the thriving community it is today without your contributions.
Celebrating Together Thank You to Our Members, Staff, and Liaisons
I’d like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who makes STARFLEET Petfleet so special. To my wonderful staff and Regional Liaisons: your creativity, dedication, and love for SFPet bring our mission to life every day. To the STARFLEET members and their pets who have joined us on this journey: you are the heart and soul of this auxiliary. Whether you’ve been with us since 2004 or are new to Petfleet, your enthusiasm fuels everything we do.
20th-Anniversary Collectables A Tribute to Two Decades of STARFLEET Petfleet
No celebration would be complete without some intergalactic souvenirs! We’re thrilled to announce our exclusive 20th-anniversary limited edition product line, now available in the STARFLEET Quartermaster Shop. These collectables are a celebration of Petfleet’s rich history and a perfect way to commemorate this milestone year.
Here are some highlights:
- 20th Anniversary Coin: A stunning 2-inch gunmetal coin with intricate details, celebrating our legacy. This limited-edition keepsake is a must-have for collectors!
- Delta Paw Pin: A sleek, stylish acrylic pin that’s perfect for showing off your Petfleet pride.
- 3″ Logo Patch: Add it to your uniform, jacket, or bag to proudly display your STARFLEET Petfleet membership.
- Retro Stickers: Bring a touch of nostalgia to your gear with our 20th-anniversary retro designs.
As a thank-you to our members, every purchase of two or more STARFLEET Petfleet items includes a free random sticker—so now’s the perfect time to stock up and share the celebration. The button below will take you to the Quartermaster shop where you’ll need to log in with your SFI membership.
Explore Our Website New for 2024
In honour of this special anniversary, we’ve also launched an all-new STARFLEET Petfleet website! This exciting resource is packed with everything you need to dive into the world of Petfleet. Here’s what you’ll find:
- Our Full History: Learn more about our journey over the past 20 years.
- Staff Contact Information: Meet the dedicated team behind Petfleet.
- Pet Registration & Submission Forms: Get your furry, feathered, or scaly friends officially on board!
- Events, Activities, and Awards: Stay up-to-date on what’s happening in the Petfleet universe.
Explore the new site today to discover these features and all the ways you can get involved!
A Personal Reflection and Looking Ahead Where are we headed?
Reflecting on our 20-year journey fills me with pride. STARFLEET Petfleet isn’t just an auxiliary—it’s a community, a family, and a shared love for our pets and the Star Trek universe. Together, we’ve raised awareness for animal welfare, built connections across the galaxy, and shown the universe what makes STARFLEET and its members so extraordinary.
As we move forward, I’m excited about the future of Petfleet. From new programs to expanded initiatives, we’re ready to boldly go where no pet auxiliary has gone before. And we’ll do it together—members, pets, and STARFLEET family alike.
To all our members, pets, Staff, Regional Liaisons, and supporters: thank you for being part of this journey. Here’s to 20 incredible years of STARFLEET Petfleet—and many more to come!
Fleet Captain Randy Mitson
Director, STARFLEET Petfleet
Share your STARFLEET Petfleet 20th Anniversary story What's your History with STARFLEET Petfleet?
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