Anniston, AL – The Anniston Police Department’s K9 Izzy has received a new bullet- and stab-resistant vest through a charitable donation from the nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.
The protective vest was sponsored by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. and is embroidered with the message, “This gift of protection provided by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.” The vest is designed to help protect K9 Izzy while on duty and meets National Institute of Justice (NIJ) certification standards.
Founded in 2009, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing body armor and assistance to law enforcement K9s and related service dogs across the United States. The organization supplies U.S.-made, custom-fitted protective vests intended to reduce the risk of serious injury to working dogs.
Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided more than 6,348 protective vests to K9s in all 50 states, representing a total value of approximately $6.9 million. These efforts are supported through private and corporate donations.
The program is available to law enforcement dogs that are at least 20 months old, actively employed, and certified with a law enforcement or related agency. K9s with expired protective vests are also eligible for replacement equipment. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s currently serving throughout the United States.
Each protective vest provided through the program is valued at approximately $1,800, weighs an average of four to five pounds, and includes a five-year warranty.
