Greenwich Police Department’s K9 Kato has been awarded a ballistic vest thanks to non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. The vest was sponsored by a $2,000 grant from Macy’s, which will outfit two Northeast Region dogs with vests. K9 Kato’s vest will be embroidered with the sentiment,“This gift of protection provided by Macy’s & Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.”
This gift of protection was provided by Macy’s & Vested Interest in K9s, Inc, which is a 501c (3) charity located in East Taunton, MA. The organization’s mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the US.
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. has provided over 1,550 protective vests in 49 states, through private and corporate donations, at a cost of over $1.4 million.
All vests are custom made in the USA by Armor Express in Central Lake, MI.
The program is open to dogs actively employed in the US with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 19 months of age. New K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are eligible.
The suggested donation to provide one protective vest for law enforcement K9 is $1,050. Each vest has a value between $1,795 – $2,234 and comes with a five-year warranty. The vests weigh an average of 4-5 lbs.
There is an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please 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.