Cranston Police Department K9s Lex, Blesk, and Zeus have received bullet and stab protective vests thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s Inc.

Lex and Blesk’s vests were sponsored by the Petco Foundation and are embroidered with the sentiment, “In memory of Paul Jolly, The Petco Foundation.” Zeus’ vest was sponsored by a fundraiser hosted by Max Hempe, Boy Scout Troop 1 of Kingston, and is embroidered with the sentiment, “Gift from Troop 1 Kingston, RI BSA.”

Vested Interest in K9s is a charity located in East Taunton, Mass., 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. The non-profit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s Inc. provided over 1,700 protective vests, in 49 states, through private and corporate donations, at a cost of over $1.6 million. All vests are custom made in the USA by Armor Express in Central Lake, Mich.

The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20 months of age. New K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate.

The Petco Foundation recently awarded Vested Interest in K9s a $5,000 grant as part of its annual Helping Heroes fundraising campaign, in partnership with Natural Balance Pet Foods. During the campaign each October, customers are invited to donate in Petco stores across the country to support service and therapy animals and organizations.

“The Cranston Police K9 unit is very grateful that Lex, Blesk, and Zeus have been provided the latest and up to date safety in body armor equipment. These K9s are thrust into critical situations to include the apprehension of non-compliant suspects, narcotics, high-risk searches and other dangerous situations. We remain confident when sending these highly trained canines into dangerous high-risk situations they will face in each deployment, that they have maximum protection. This relationship with Vested Interest along with the support of Max Hempe of Troop 1 and Petco could not have come at better time,” Maj. Todd Patalano said.

The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $1,050. Each vest has a value between $1,795 and $2,234 and a five-year warranty, and an average weight of four to five pounts. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s provides information, lists events, and accepts tax-deductible donations of any denomination at vik9s.org or mailed to P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.