K9 departments around the national are suffering from budget cuts. For example, San Diego is letting 12 K9 officers go due to cutbacks.

In Vallejo, Ca all but one K9 unit was suspended from duty due to budget cuts.

I could go on and on about budget cuts and what they are doing to our law enforcement agencies ability to do their job. K9 units have always been viewed as a luxury, at least in my area, and many agencies cut them first. In the case of Vallejo, Ca fortunately they were the last and one unit survived. Sadly, that is not the case for many departments.

Departments spend thousands of dollars on dogs for their K9 units. Even more to train their K9 units and still more to maintain their K9 units. I’m not even going to mention insurance, legal, and health care.

According to the City of Glendale, California’s K9 Unit website:

“The cost of the dogs purchased in Germany vary anywhere from $4,500-$6,000 for the dog alone. An additional $6,000-$12,000 is then added to the initial purchase price depending on the level of training.” .

So how can you help?

Public funding for K9 units is sparse. Add the budget cuts and it’s near impossible to maintain a proper K9 unit with no money.

So if public funding is not sufficient, why not send some funds of your own?

I see all sorts of donation programs for K9 units. Some people donate untrained dogs and some people donate ballistic vests for the K9′s.

While both of these donations are generous, money is the best donation. If you don’t want to donate money donate training equipment.

Police K9 units need things like bite suits, toys (balls, Kongs, and tugs), bite sleeves, scratch pants, harnesses, collars, and leashes.

Another item that K9 units need and many do not have are heat alert systems and door poppers to keep their K9 partner’s safe while traveling in the patrol car.

The Hot-n-Pop Pro offered by AceK9.com can literally save the life of a working Police K9. When the vehicle gets too hot an alarm is sounded. This sets off the horn, the vehicle lights, and rolls a window down for the dog.

Along with the temperature sensors and heat safety the device comes with an emergency door popper. If the officer needs assistance he can remotely pop the door open so his K9 partner can come and help him (and possibly save his life).

The Hot-n-Pop Pro retails for $969. This is much more affordable than a dog or a ballistic vest and it is something the K9 Unit will use on a daily basis.

The Heat Alarm Pro (without door popper) retails for $639.

Side Note: I am in no way implying that donating a ballistic vest for the dogs is not a great idea. However, I know K9 handlers and most of them rarely (if ever) use them because of mobility issues and heat (a serious danger to working dogs). Vests also costs $1,200-$1,500 on average.

So how DO you help?

Now that we’ve discussed some things you can do, let’s get down to doing them.

Most Police Departments have community liaisons. You can call your local department and ask to speak to them. If they go by another label or whatever, just tell the person on the phone what you are calling for and they should be able to direct you to the right contact person.

When you call you should already have a game plan. What I mean is, don’t call and say, “Ummm, yeah, ummmm, I was wondering, ummmm, how to donate, ummmm to your ummmm, K9 unit?”

Be specific and polite, “Yes Sir/Ma’am, my name is Jason Mann and I am calling to see how I can donate a Hot-n-Pop Pro to your K9 Unit?”

Supporting your local K9 unit helps catch bad guys and that is a good thing. It helps keep drugs off your streets, it helps fund (from drug busts) your local departments, and is supporting your community as well.

Best Regards,
Jason Mann
Top Dog K9 Training Solutions L.L.C.
Your Dog. Our Training. Real World Results.