BRASELTON, Ga. - s4story -- When a K9 officer needs a ballistic vest but a department can't afford one, Project Paws Alive (PPAK9) fills the gap. The nationwide 501(c)(3) nonprofit provides free protective equipment to working K9 units across all five first responder disciplines, with more than 400 agencies currently on its equipment waiting list.

PPAK9 supplies ballistic vests certified by both the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and the National Institute for Public Safety (NIPS) -- the same certification standard required for human officers. At an average retail cost of $1,400 per custom-fitted vest, the equipment is out of reach for most underfunded departments without donor support. Since its founding in 2012 by law enforcement veterans, the organization has expanded its program to cover not only law enforcement K9 units but also Fire, Search & Rescue, Emergency Medical Services, and Military working dog teams nationwide.

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Equipment PPAK9 provides at no cost to qualifying agencies:

• Ballistic protective vests (NIJ- and NIPS-certified, custom-fitted, avg. $1,400 each)
• K9 first aid field trauma kits ($516 retail)
• K9 NARCAN kits for opioid exposure
• Vehicle heat alarm systems with AceK9 and No K9 Left Behind technology ($4,000-$5,000 installed)
• Specialized K9 SWAT/Military vests (from $3,800)
• Pet oxygen recovery mask kits

Every item goes directly to agencies that applied for it and could not otherwise afford it. No equipment is purchased speculatively -- PPAK9 raises funds for specific agency requests.

The organization holds GuideStar's Platinum Seal of Transparency (EIN: 46-0874586), the highest recognition awarded to fewer than 1% of U.S. nonprofits, verified annually through auditing, financial reporting, and confirmed program results.

Law enforcement agencies, fire departments, search and rescue teams, EMS units, and military K9 handlers across the country can apply for equipment through ppak9.org. Donors, corporations, and foundations who want to fund K9 protective equipment directly can sponsor individual pieces of gear or a full equipment package for a specific K9 team.

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About Project Paws Alive (PPAK9)

Project Paws Alive (PPAK9) is a nationwide 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2012 that provides free K9 protective equipment to underfunded law enforcement, fire, search and rescue, EMS, and military K9 units. The organization holds GuideStar's Platinum Seal of Transparency and has 400+ agencies on its waiting list. Learn more at ppak9.org.