Monterey Park Police Department K9 Veeda Awarded Bullet and Stab Resistant Vest

On May 26, 2015, the Monterey Park Police Department’s K9 Veeda has been awarded a ballistic vest thanks to a nonprofit organization, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. and a generous donation from The Hausman Family Foundation. $15,000 was donated to the charity to provide bullet and stab protective vests for K9s in the state of California. The following are also recipients of this donation: one K9 from Ventura, one K9 from Gilroy, one K9 from Mill Creek, three K9s from Montebello, four K9s from Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, one K9 from Lompoc, one K9 from California City and one K9 from Alhambra.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) charity located in East Taunton, MA, 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. Each vest costs $950 and has a five-year warranty. The nonprofit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four legged K9 Officers. Through private and corporate sponsorships, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided over 1,395 law enforcement canines in 49 states with protective vests since 2009 at a cost of over $1.3 million.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. also announces their “Hog Wild for K9s” t-shirt is now available online for a $15.00 donation at www.vik9s.org. Proceeds will provide bullet and stab protective vests, for police dogs actively working without the potentially lifesaving equipment.

The organization orders the U.S. made vests exclusively from distributor Regency Police Supply in Hyannis, MA. who also does the custom embroidery on the body armor. Vests are manufactured by Armor Express in Central Lake, MI.

New K9 graduates as well as K9s with expired vests are eligible to participate. The program is open to law enforcement dogs who are U.S. employed, certified and at least 19 months of age.

For more information regarding Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Tax deductible donations accepted via mail to: Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718 or via their website at www.vik9s.org.