K9 Ghost’s vest will be embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of K9 Gabo, Jonesboro, AR EOW 1/16/20”. K9s Odie and Suma’s vests will be embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of K9 Ike, Vancouver Police Department”. Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.Sebastian Police Department’s K9s Ghost, Odie and Suma will receive bullet and stab protective vests thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Ghost’s vest will be embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of K9 Gabo, Jonesboro, AR EOW 1/16/20”. K9s Odie and Suma’s vests will be embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of K9 Ike, Vancouver Police Department”. Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity 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. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 is U.S. made, custom fitted, and NIJ certified. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 3,970 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, made possible by both private and corporate donations.
The program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old, actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $960 will sponsor one vest. Each vest has a value of $1,744-$2,283, weighs an average of 4-5 lb., and comes with a five-year warranty. 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 donations at www.vik9s.org, or you may mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.
K9 Suma is a German Shepherd FDLE certified dual-purpose patrol K-9, who has actively worked as a K-9 with Sebastian Police Department for 2.5 years.
K9 Ghost is a 3.5 year old German Shepherd from Hungary. He is trained as a dual-purpose patrol and narcotics detection K9 and has been working in the City of Sebastian since mid-2018.
K9 Odie is a Belgian Malinois from the Czech Republic. Odie is eight years old and has been serving the City of Sebastian for the last 6.5 years. Odie is a dual-purpose K9 being certified in patrol and narcotics detection.