The McLeansboro Police Department’s K9 officer, Polo, is set to receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a generous donation from the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. The vest was sponsored by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. and will be embroidered with the message: “This gift of protection provided by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.” Delivery is expected within ten weeks.
Established in 2009, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charity dedicated to providing bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to law enforcement and related agencies’ dogs across the United States. The body armor for K9 officers is U.S.-made, custom-fitted, and certified by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ). Since its founding, the organization has donated over 6,030 vests valued at $6.9 million to K9s nationwide, made possible through private and corporate donations.
The program is open to U.S. law enforcement dogs at least 20 months old that are actively employed and certified. Dogs with expired vests are also eligible. It is estimated that approximately 30,000 law enforcement K9s serve across the country.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible donations of any amount. A single donation of $1,050 sponsors one vest, which has a retail value of $1,800, weighs about 4-5 pounds, and comes with a five-year warranty. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, contact (508) 824-6978 or visit www.vik9s.org. Donations can also be mailed to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.
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