Petersham Police Department K9 Lucy has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Lucy’s vest was sponsored by an anonymous donation made in the name of Friends of Urban Wildlife and embroidered with the sentiment “Donated by Friends of Urban Wildlife Rehab. – Spfld”.
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 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 3,100 protective vests, in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a cost of over $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.
Lucy and her handler would like to take this opportunity to thank Vested Interest in K9s, and the anonymous donor who donated in the name of Friends of Urban Wildlife for providing the life saving body armor.
Lucy operates under the Non Profit Northeast Houndsmen Association (see us at “northeasthoundsmen.com“). She is handled by a Petersham Police Officer who owns, trains, provides service calls to law enforcement agencies in need, and cares for Lucy all at his own expense.
Again thank you Vested Interest for assisting in providing protection for our K9 family.