The Whitewater Police Department’s K9 Boomer will be receiving a ballistic vest thanks to the “Occasions” campaign for Groupon Grassroots that raised more than $335,000 to outfit K9s with bullet and stab protective vests.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. was the nationwide nonprofit organization and charity partner selected by Groupon Grassroots to participate. As a result of the online, $10 donation campaign held earlier this year, Vested Interest in K9s will provide protective body armor to more than 350 law enforcement dogs nationwide. In the United States there are an estimated 30,000 police dogs in service.
The campaign is in memory of K9 Rocco of the Pittsburgh Police Department who died in the line of duty in January. All vests will be embroidered with the sentiment, “In Memory of K9 Rocco, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.”
Donations are still being accepted by Vested Interest in K9s, a 501c(3) organization, through the website at www.vik9s.org or mail at P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA, 02718.
Calendars are available for $15 through Feb. 1, 2015 on the website which also features volunteer opportunities and event listings.
About Vested Interest
The mission of Vested Interest in K9s is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States.
Each vest costs $950 and includes a five-year warranty. The U.S. made vests are ordered exclusively through Regency Police Supply out of Massachusetts, a distributor that offers custom embroidery on the body armor.
New K9 graduates as well as K9 officers with expired vests are eligible to participate in the program which is open to law enforcement dogs who are at least 19 months of age, certified and employed in the United States.
