CIRCLEVILLE – Circleville Police Department’s K9 Harry has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. The 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, MA 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 nonprofit
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 3,300 protective vests in 50
states, through private and corporate donations, at a value of $5.7 million dollars.
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 K9
graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate.
The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $950.00.
Each vest has a value between $1,744 – $2,283, and a five-year warranty and an
average weight 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.
