WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Warren County) — K-9 Lupe of the Washington Township Police Department has received a bullet- and stab-protective vest through a charitable donation, officials said.
The vest was provided by the nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K9s Inc. and sponsored by the Survival Armor incentive program. It is embroidered with the sentiment, “Gifted by Vested Interest in K9s and Survival Armor.”
Vested Interest in K9s, established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity that provides bullet- and stab-protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies across the United States. The vests are U.S.-made, custom fitted and certified by the National Institute of Justice.
Since its inception, the organization has provided more than 6,397 vests valued at $6.9 million to K-9s in all 50 states through private and corporate donations.
The program is open to U.S. dogs at least 20 months old that are actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K-9s with expired vests are also eligible. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K-9s nationwide.
Vested Interest in K9s accepts tax-deductible contributions, with a single donation of $1,050 sponsoring one vest. Each vest is valued at $1,800, weighs an average of 4 to 5 pounds and comes with a five-year warranty.
For more information, the organization can be contacted at (508) 824-6978 or through its website.
