Most police department K9 units do not have the budget for K9 ballistic vests for the dogs. K9 units are not funded by the department because they are considered specialty units (which means a department can run without a K9 unit) K9 Units hold fundraisers and or sell merchandise to raise funds for the K9 Unit.
Most police k9 units do not have the means to hold fundraisers or provide merchandise in rural cities and counties throughout our nation, this is where I come in by sending what funds I can, and with the public help, they can send a check or money order to their local police K9 Unit for ongoing continuous advanced training, vet bills, and food.
The public can help police K9s around the nation with ballistic vests by going to vested interest in k9’s (www.vik9s.org) and (www.bradysk9fund.com) Both these websites are 501 c non-profit that provide ballistic vests to police k9’s across our nation and they have a wait list each about 80 dogs at the moment.
I am currently working with state legislation to get K9 Vests mandated in California. The annual data of police K9s killed in the line of duty (www.odmp.org) from gunshot wounds and stabbings is devastating. If these dogs had ballistic vests, they would have had a fighting chance.
I, alone, support and sponsor events and fundraisers for the Ventura County Sheriff K9 Unit and Oxnard Police K9 Unit. I use my own money and my family business name to sponsor and spread the word, but I am only 1 person, I need the public’s help!
Police K9 Vests cost a minimum of $1,200 – $4,000 but $1,200 is most common. As I mentioned above, the two 501 c non-profits, (www.vik9s.org) (www.bradysk9fund.com), provide vests for the dogs by public donations.
The good news is, that vested interest in k9’s (www.vik9’s.org) provides a ballistic vest right away at no cost for a police K9. The handler just needs to fill out the application and qualify.
I love dogs so much and these police dogs get shot or stabbed at least 1x a week across the nation. If these dogs had a vest, they would have had a chance!!
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read my article and may help. God bless you all! You may follow us to stay updated on my police k9 advocacy on Instagram.
