A recent grant will help cover the healthcare costs of police K9s in Peabody and Swampscott this year.
Through the “Healthcare for K9 Heroes” grant, Peabody police K9 Ozzy and Swampscott police K9 Raptor will be cared for by a medical reimbursement insurance policy through the pet insurance company Trupanion, which covers treatment for common illnesses, testing, therapies and injuries sustained in the line of duty, according to a statement by East Taunton-based Vested Interest in K9s Inc.
The nonprofit that awarded the grant has provided more than 5,600 protective vests to K9s and put $400,000 toward medical reimbursement programs for K9 units, it reported.
The grant is awarded to police departments that self-fund their K9 units, have fewer than three K9s and previously received protective vests from Vested Interest in K9s. The nonprofit, which was formed in 2009, reported gross receipts of $2.3 million and net assets of $3.4 million during its fiscal 2022, according to a filing with the Internal Revenue Service.
K9s ages 2-7 are eligible for this healthcare reimbursement. Departments can bring them to any licensed veterinarian or pet care center to receive treatment using these funds, according to the statement.
For more information about Vested Interest in K9s, visit www.vik9s.org.
Contact Caroline Enos at CEnos@northofboston.com