A nationwide 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We rely solely on donations and sponsors to provide lifesaving K9 equipment such as bullet & stab protective vests, first aid kits, vehicle heat alarms, cooling vests, and pet oxygen mask kits to Law Enforcement, Fire, Search & Rescue, EMS, and Military nationwide.

Project Paws Alive was established in 2012 when our co-founders combined their federal and state law enforcement backgrounds to address a nationwide working K9 protection gap. Influenced by their time working with the FBI’s FTTTF (Foreign Terrorist Tracking Task Force) and State of Georgia Law Enforcement Agencies, they combined their love of dogs with firsthand experience to create Project Paws Alive. This nationwide non-profit provides protective equipment to Law Enforcement, Fire, Search & Rescue, and Military K9 Units throughout the United States.

Prompted by several law enforcement K9 deaths in one year that could have been prevented if the K9s had been wearing protective ballistic vests on duty, they conducted extensive research. They found that almost all first responders lack the funds or budget approvals to afford such expensive equipment. In many instances, agencies are prohibited from spending budget funds to purchase equipment that is “not for use by humans.”

Due to budget cuts and other economic issues, 92% of all K9 units are run solely on donations. In almost all cases, handlers must personally cover the costs of their K9 partner’s needs, including medical care, food, grooming, training, yearly certifications, and essential safety equipment such as K9 protective vests, first aid kits, and vehicle heat alarms. Most people assume that because the K9 is an officer of the agency, the K9 must therefore get all the equipment it needs to be protected, and that the agency pays for all its expenses. This assumption is entirely false.

K9 Units are typically classified as “non-essential,” “specialty,” or “equipment” units, and therefore, do not often receive a budget or have the ability to purchase these costly protective items.

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Project Paws Alive is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible. Receipts are provided upon request.