Paducah police K9 Karo to receive donated protective vest

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

PADUCAH, Ky., (KBSI) — Paducah Police Department K9 Karo will soon receive a bullet- and stab-protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from the nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.

The vest, sponsored by Thomas Infante of Cold Springs, Kentucky, will be embroidered with the message: “Born to Love – Trained to Serve – Loyal Always.” Delivery is expected within 10 weeks.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides protective vests and other assistance to law enforcement and related agency dogs across the United States. The U.S.-made, custom-fitted vests are National Institute of Justice (NIJ) certified and designed to offer lifesaving protection.

Since its founding, the organization has provided more than 6,225 vests valued at $6.9 million to K9s in all 50 states, funded through private and corporate donations.

The program is open to certified U.S. law enforcement and related agency dogs at least 20 months old, including those with expired vests. An estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s currently serve across the country.

Tax-deductible contributions of any amount are accepted, with a $1,050 donation sponsoring one vest. Each vest is valued at $1,800, weighs about 4–5 pounds, and includes a five-year warranty.

For more information or to donate, visit Welcome » Vested Interest in K9s, call (508) 824-6978, or mail contributions to Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.