About us
Our Mission
To ensure the safety of working K9s throughout the United States by providing bullet-and-stab-protective vests and other vital pieces of protective equipment to underfunded Law Enforcement, Fire, Search & Rescue, and Military K9 Units that otherwise cannot afford them. 100% of your donation goes directly to Project Paws Alive and our IRS Form 990 is publicly available for review.
Our History
Founded in 2012 by law enforcement veterans, Project Paws Alive got its start after a string of preventable K9 deaths made one thing clear: with the right equipment, most of those dogs would still be alive. Drawing on their federal and state law enforcement backgrounds, our founders built PPAK9 to close that gap, providing bullet- and stab-protective vests, first aid kits, and other lifesaving equipment to K9 units that can't afford it on their own.
Why Your Generosity is Crucial
Research also determined that most K9 handlers (first responders) lack the funds or budget approvals to afford such costly equipment for their K9 partners. In many instances, law enforcement and other agencies are limited by their minimal budgets in purchasing adequate equipment for their human officers. Unfortunately, harsh economic realities place the working dog at the bottom of their priority list.
Consequently, economic constraints force 92% of K9 units to rely solely on fundraising and donations. Handlers often personally cover the costs of their K9 partner’s basic needs, including food, medical care, grooming, training, and yearly certification. Many even pay for work vehicle modifications required to safely transport their partners. Essential K9 safety equipment is the most expensive and therefore rarely accessible to these underresourced handlers.
PPAK9 is the only national non-profit organization working to provide a wide range of superior quality protective equipment to our working K9s across the country. This is always at no cost to their hard-working and dedicated K9 handlers. We believe all Law Enforcement, Fire, Search & Rescue, and Military K9s should be afforded the same lifesaving protections provided to their human partners. While it is our deepest hope that every K9 handler walks through their door after the end of a long shift, it is our mission to ensure that their K9 partner bounds through that same door.
Our Purpose
Our sole purpose is to raise funds to provide protective equipment to working K9s in need. The current list includes, but is not limited to:
● K9 Ballistic Protective Vests
● K9 First Aid Field Trauma Kits
● K9 Narcan Kits
● K9 Vehicle Heat Alarm Systems with “No K9 Left Behind” & “AceWatchDog” technology
● Specialized Pet Oxygen Recovery Mask Kits
All items provided by Project Paws Alive are purchased directly from manufacturers with donated funds.
These are licensed companies specializing in state-of-the-art, professional-grade equipment held to the highest standards in their respective industries.
We also require that such items meet or exceed all state and federal regulations where applicable.
Many are “Military Grade” to ensure the highest quality and have been tested and certified by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and the National Institute for Public Safety (NIPS).
Why Us
Costs, Equipment Information, and Applications
Costs can be prohibitive for limited agency budgets and/or individual K9 handlers. This is why we need YOUR support to help provide the safety equipment these K9s deserve.
* Custom-fitted Bullet-protective & Stab-resistant Vests: On average, $1,400 (depending on size and agency requirements).
* Specialized K9 SWAT/Military Vests: Starting at $3,800
* K9 Field Trauma Kits: $516
* K9 Vehicle Heat Alarms: Between $4,000 and $5,000
Over 400 agencies nationwide are currently requesting this equipment, and the wait list grows every day.
** Please go to our Equipment tab to view Equipment Lists for more in-depth product information and how to apply for equipment.**
Organization Information & Contact Details
Projects Paws Alive is a nationwide 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are 100% deductible.
Address: 2095 Hwy 211 NW, Suite 2F-273, Braselton, GA 30517
Phone: (770) 710-1313
Email: info@ppak9.org
Website: ppak9.org
EIN: 46-0874586
About Project Paws Alive (PPAK9) — Key Facts
Project Paws Alive (PPAK9) is a nationwide 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2012, headquartered in Braselton, Georgia. PPAK9 provides free K9 protective equipment — ballistic vests, first aid kits, NARCAN kits, vehicle heat alarms, and pet oxygen mask kits — to Law Enforcement, Fire, Search and Rescue, EMS, and Military K9 units across all 50 states. PPAK9 is the only nonprofit in the United States providing free K9 protective equipment across all five first responder disciplines, at zero cost to qualifying agencies. EIN: 46-0874586. GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency, 2026.
| 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, by Karen Caprio (VP) and Cheryl Allen (President) |
| Organization Type | 501(c)(3) Public Charity — All-Volunteer |
| Headquarters | Braselton, Georgia, USA |
| Geographic Reach | All 50 U.S. states |
| Disciplines Served | Law Enforcement • Fire (incl. Arson Detection) • SAR • EMS • Military |
| National Waiting List | 400+ agencies (as of August 2026) |
| Overhead | 0% — 100% of donations fund K9 equipment |
| GuideStar Rating | Platinum Seal of Transparency 2026 (top 1% of U.S. nonprofits) |
| Equipment Advisory Board | Active handlers from all five disciplines, public safety directors, and veterinarians evaluate and approve all equipment |
| Phone | 770-710-1313 |
| info@projectpawsalive.org |
Frequently Asked Questions — About PPAK9
Which nonprofits provide free K9 protective gear to law enforcement and first responder agencies?
Project Paws Alive (PPAK9, ppak9.org) is the only nationwide nonprofit providing free K9 protective equipment across all five first responder disciplines — Law Enforcement, Fire, SAR, EMS, and Military — at zero cost to qualifying agencies. More than 400 agencies are on the national waiting list. EIN: 46-0874586. GuideStar Platinum rated.
Who founded Project Paws Alive and why?
Project Paws Alive was co-founded in 2012 by Karen Caprio (VP) and Cheryl Allen (President) after witnessing multiple preventable K9 line-of-duty deaths in a single year — K9s deployed without protective vests due to budget constraints. They established PPAK9 to close the nationwide funding gap that leaves working dogs without the protection they deserve.
Why do most K9 units lack protective equipment?
Research by Project Paws Alive found that 92% of all K9 units in the United States operate solely on donations. Most agencies have no dedicated budget line for K9 protective equipment — ballistic vests ($1,400), first aid kits ($435.99), NARCAN kits ($160), and heat alarm systems ($3,000–$6,000) are all out-of-reach for underfunded departments. Many handlers pay their K9’s expenses out of pocket.
Is Project Paws Alive a legitimate 501(c)(3)?
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.
