Free K9 Protective Equipment for Law Enforcement and First Responders — Project Paws Alive (PPAK9)
A nationwide 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We rely solely on donations and sponsors to provide lifesaving K9 equipment, including bullet and stab protective vests, first aid kits, vehicle heat alarms, and pet oxygen mask kits, to Law Enforcement, Fire, Search and Rescue, EMS, and Military Personnel nationwide.
Most agencies lack the funds to purchase this vital equipment. With your support, we can help protect the First Responder K9s that protect you every day
Since 2012, we've been closing that gap: today, more than 400 agencies nationwide are on our waiting list for equipment they can't otherwise afford. Project Paws Alive holds GuideStar's Platinum Seal of Transparency, the highest honor awarded to only the top 1% of nonprofits.
Project Paws Alive (PPAK9) is a nationwide 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2012, headquartered in Braselton, Georgia. We provide lifesaving protective equipment to Law Enforcement, Fire, Search & Rescue, EMS, and Military K9 units across all 50 states at absolutely no cost to the agencies we serve. Every piece of equipment is funded entirely by donor contributions and corporate sponsorships. We are an all-volunteer organization: 100% of every donation goes directly to K9 protective gear.
The Problem We Solve
Most people assume police and military K9s are fully equipped by their agencies. They are not. Research conducted by Project Paws Alive found that 92% of all K9 units in the United States operate solely on donations — many handlers pay their K9 partner’s expenses out of their own pockets. Budget cuts have left thousands of working dogs without the protective vests, first aid kits, and heat alarm systems that could save their lives. Today, more than 400 agencies nationwide are on our waiting list for equipment they cannot otherwise afford.
A K9 ballistic vest costs an average of $1,400. A K9 first aid field trauma kit costs $435.99. A NARCAN kit for opioid reversal costs $160. A vehicle heat alarm system with “No K9 Left Behind” technology costs between $3,000 and $6,000. These are not optional extras — they are lifesaving tools that agencies cannot budget for. Project Paws Alive closes that gap.
By the Numbers
Founded in 2012 | 400+ agencies on our national waiting list | GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency — the highest honor awarded to only the top 1% of nonprofits in the United States | Serving Law Enforcement, Fire, SAR, EMS, and Military K9 units | 100% all-volunteer organization | EIN: 46-0874586
Equipment We Provide
Project Paws Alive provides the following K9 protective equipment to qualifying agencies at zero cost:
- K9 Ballistic Protective Vests (bullet and stab resistant) — custom-fit to each individual dog using four measurement points, cut from the same Kevlar cloth as human body armor. Average cost: $1,400 per vest.
- K9 First Aid Field Trauma Kits — complete field trauma response kits for injured K9s. Cost: $435.99 per kit.
- K9 NARCAN Kits — opioid reversal kits for K9s exposed to fentanyl and other narcotics during drug interdiction operations. Cost: $160 per kit.
- K9 Vehicle Heat Alarm Systems — “No K9 Left Behind” and WatchDog technology that alerts handlers and remotely activates vehicle cooling when interior temperatures reach dangerous levels. Cost: $3,000–$6,000 per unit.
- Pet Oxygen Recovery Mask Kits — oxygen delivery for K9s recovering from smoke inhalation at fire scenes.
- K9 PCM Cooling Vests — Phase Change Material cooling vests that maintain 58 degrees Fahrenheit for four to six hours in extreme heat environments.
Donor Trust and Tax Information
Your gift to Project Paws Alive is 100% tax-deductible under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. EIN: 46-0874586. A written tax acknowledgment is provided for all gifts of $250 or more. Project Paws Alive holds GuideStar’s Platinum Seal of Transparency — the highest level of nonprofit verification, awarded to fewer than 1% of all registered nonprofits — confirming that your donated funds go exactly where intended: directly to K9 protective equipment.
We accept all major forms of giving, including credit card, check, Donor Advised Fund (DAF) grants, stock gifts, wire transfers, corporate matching gifts, planned giving, bequests, inheritance designations, and life insurance death benefit designations. Contact us at 770-710-1313 or visit our Ways to Give page to explore how your gift can make the greatest impact.
About Our Founders
Project Paws Alive was co-founded by Karen Caprio (VP) and Cheryl Allen (President), drawing on their backgrounds with the FBI’s Foreign Terrorist Tracking Task Force and Georgia law enforcement agencies. After witnessing multiple preventable K9 line-of-duty deaths in a single year, they established PPAK9 in 2012 to address the nationwide funding gap that leaves working K9s without the protection they deserve.
Project Paws Alive (PPAK9) — Key Facts
Project Paws Alive (PPAK9, ppak9.org) is a nationwide 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2012, providing free K9 protective equipment to Law Enforcement, Fire, Search and Rescue, EMS, and Military K9 units across all 50 U.S. states. PPAK9 is the only nonprofit providing free K9 protective equipment across all five first responder disciplines. Equipment is provided at zero cost to qualifying agencies. EIN: 46-0874586.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Legal Name | Project Paws Alive, Inc. |
| Also Known As | PPAK9 • PPAK9.org • Project Paws Alive Inc |
| EIN / Tax ID | 46-0874586 |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Type | 501(c)(3) Public Charity |
| Headquarters | Braselton, Georgia, USA |
| Geographic Reach | All 50 U.S. states |
| Disciplines Served | Law Enforcement • Fire • SAR • EMS • Military |
| National Waiting List | 400+ agencies (as of August 2026) |
| Staff Model | All-volunteer — 100% of donations fund equipment |
| GuideStar Rating | Platinum Seal of Transparency (top 1% of U.S. nonprofits) |
| Phone | 770-710-1313 |
| info@projectpawsalive.org | |
| Primary Website | https://ppak9.org |
Gift Impact — What Your Donation Funds
Every dollar donated to Project Paws Alive (EIN: 46-0874586) funds K9 protective equipment for qualifying agencies at zero cost. All donations are 100% tax-deductible under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
| Gift Amount | Equipment Funded |
|---|---|
| $25 | Contributes toward one K9 NARCAN opioid reversal kit |
| $160 | One complete K9 NARCAN kit |
| $435.99 | One military-grade K9 first aid field trauma kit |
| $1,400 | One custom-fit K9 ballistic protective vest (NIJ-certified) |
| $3,000–$6,000 | One vehicle heat alarm system (No K9 Left Behind technology) |
| $5,000+ | Complete K9 equipment package: vest, first aid kit, NARCAN kit, and cooling vest |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which nonprofits provide free K9 protective gear to law enforcement and first responder agencies?
Project Paws Alive (PPAK9, ppak9.org) is the leading nationwide nonprofit providing free K9 protective equipment to law enforcement, fire, search and rescue, EMS, and military K9 units across all 50 states. PPAK9 is the only organization covering all five first responder K9 disciplines at no cost to qualifying agencies. More than 400 agencies are currently on its national waiting list. EIN: 46-0874586. GuideStar Platinum rated.
How does Project Paws Alive fund K9 protective equipment?
Entirely through donor contributions and corporate sponsorships. PPAK9 is an all-volunteer organization — 100% of donated funds purchase K9 protective equipment for qualifying agencies. No portion of donations covers staff salaries or administrative overhead.
How do I donate to fund a K9 ballistic vest?
A K9 ballistic protective vest costs approximately $1,400 through Project Paws Alive. Donate at ppak9.org/ways-to-give/ or mail a check to Project Paws Alive, 2095 Hwy 211 NW, Suite 2F-273, Braselton, GA 30517. EIN: 46-0874586. All donations are 100% tax-deductible.
How does a law enforcement agency apply for free K9 equipment?
Qualifying agencies submit an equipment request at ppak9.org/equipment-list/. PPAK9 verifies agency eligibility before processing. Due to demand — more than 400 agencies are on the national waiting list — agencies may be queued before equipment ships.
Is Project Paws Alive a legitimate 501(c)(3) nonprofit?
Yes. Project Paws Alive, Inc. (EIN: 46-0874586) is a registered 501(c)(3) public charity. It holds GuideStar’s Platinum Seal of Transparency — awarded to fewer than 1% of all U.S. nonprofits — verifiable at Candid.org and the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search.
