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MOLENA, GA - The Georgia Police K9 Foundation has vested 173 K9s and donated 103 Heat Alarms to Georgia Law Enforcement K9s and is proud to announce that K9 Tosca, of the Molena Police Department, is the latest K9 to receive an Ace K9 Heat Alarm System and an American Aluminum Kennel Insert that will keep K9 Tosca safe and secure in her mobile office at an estimated total value of $4,000.

Kyle Briley, President and Founder of Georgia Police K9 Foundation, explains: "Our organization is happy to assist K9 units across the state of Georgia in numerous capacities. The K9 team at the Molena Police Department was in need of a kennel insert and we were more than willing to help them. The kennel insert is a transport area that allows the K9 to be safe while working and serving the citizens of their community. Most kennel inserts take up the area of where a back seat in a vehicle is located, giving the K9 plenty of room to be comfortable and protect them in many situations. The heat alarm is a temperature monitoring system that is critical to have in case the interior of the vehicle becomes too hot for the K9. If it becomes too hot in the interior of the vehicle, the heat alarm system will alert the handler, automatically roll the window down, and activate a window based fan. These heat alarm systems have saved numerous K9 lives. It is a honor to help protect K9 Tosca and hope she continues to do great things and not have to worry about doing her job in the most secure environment possible. Working together, we really do make a difference."

K9 Tosca, a one-and-a-half-year-old Labrador, works as a narcotics detection canine. She serves and protects the citizens of Molena for the mere payment of a reward toy and praise from her handler. Tosca loves family time and meeting the wonderful people in the community; however, this K9’s all time favorite activity is playing the game at work and absolutely loves doing her job.

Georgia Police K9 Foundation (GPK9F) is an All Volunteer 501(c)3 non-profit, which helps raise awareness within the State and the local communities of the infinite contributions made by the Police K9s and how they save lives to make our communities safe. Our goal is to protect as many of Georgia’s four legged officers by providing them with safety equipment, such as, bullet-proof vests, heat alarm systems, and Naloxone (Narcan Kits) in the event a K9 is directly exposed to any opioids during a search and seizure.

Once a K9 has retired, the Handler will adopt their K9 partner and best friend. In the absence of State or local retirement benefits for the K9s, GPK9F will help provide retirement support (food and medical care) for the retired law enforcement K9s, who have unconditionally served their communities for years. To date, the Georgia Police K9 Foundation has assisted over 4,000 Georgia K9s by provided 173 K9 Protection Vests, 103 Heat Alarms, 500+ Training equipment, both seminars and trainings were supplied to numerous K9 teams across the State of Georgia, and assisted 200+ Retired K9s.

Chances are that everyone’s life has been impacted by a K9 in some manner throughout their life and they do not even realize it. Before attending sporting events, concerts, or large functions, explosive detection K9s sweep the areas to ensure a safer environment for those in attendance. K9s are important in communities by locating/detecting illegal narcotics, as well as, engaging in the most dangerous settings, while dealing with some of the most violent offenders without hesitation. We ask these four-legged heroes to face situations most people would not. Not only do law enforcement K9s assist by enforcing the laws, but also assist with locating a missing child or elderly person.

As a foundation, we want to thank each sponsor, donor and supporter of our mission. There are multiple avenues in joining our foundation’s mission. If you are interested in how you can help or make a tax-deductible donation, please feel free to contact us through our website at GPK9F.org or Checks can be mailed to: Georgia Police K9 Foundation, 26 Joe Kennedy Blvd, Unit 48, Statesboro, Georgia 30458.

You are welcome to follow Georgia Police K9 Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube too. Together, we can assist active and retired law enforcement K9s to create safer communities.