ALEXANDRIA, VA – Taz, a German Shepherd, is a special member of the Alexandria Police Department‘s K-9 Unit. Recently, Chuck and Cathy Rey sponsored the effort to get Taz some new body armor.
The Alexandria couple donated to the non-profit Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., founded in 2009. The organization’s mission, according to their website, is “to provide bullet and stab-protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the country.”
Taz’s vest, as with all others, is custom fitted and made in the United States. The vests are certified by the National Institute of Justice.
The vest-making program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K-9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K-9s nationwide.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $960 will sponsor one vest.
Interested in donating? Visit www.vik9s.org. You can also mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, call 508-824-6978.
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