SIDNEY — Sidney Police Department’s K-9s Kash and Kilo have received bullet and stab protective vests thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s Inc. K-9 Kash’s vest was embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of Choco.” K-9 Kilo’s vest was embroidered with the sentiment “Honoring those who served and sacrificed.”
Vested Interest in K9s Inc. is a 501c(3) charity located in East Taunton, Massachusetts, whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. The non-profit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers.
Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided over 3,830 U.S. made, custom fitted, NIJ certified protective vests in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a value of $6.9 million.
The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20 months of age. New K-9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate.
The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K-9 is $960. Each vest has a value between $1,744 to $2,283, and a five-year warranty and an average weight of 4 to 5 pounds. There is an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K-9s throughout the United States. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts tax-deductible donations of any denomination at www.vik9s.org or mailed to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.
