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K-9 Maverick’s vest is sponsored by Robert Kipp of Pro-Health Chiropractic in Southport and embroidered with the sentiment “Never Waiver-Never Give Up-Partners Forever.” K-9 Jagger’s vest is sponsored by Kathleen Koulogianis of Country Cow Deli in Fairfield and embroidered with the sentiment “Born to love-Trained to Serve-Loyal to the end”.
Vested Interest in K9s Inc. is a charity located in East Taunton, Mass., 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 officers.
Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s Inc. has provided over 1,900 protective vests in 49 states, through private and corporate donations, at a cost of over $1.7 million. All vests are custom-made in the United States by Armor Express in Central Lake, Mich. 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 K-9 graduates, as well as K-9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate.
The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K-9 is $1,050. Each vest has a value between $1,795 and $2,234 and a five-year warranty, and an average weight of 4 to 5 pounds. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K-9s throughout the United States.
For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s Inc. provides information, lists events and accepts tax-deductible donations of any denomination at its website or mailed to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.
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