The Georgia Police K9 Foundation has vested 141 K9s and donated 66 heat alarms to Georgia law enforcement K9s and is proud to announce that K9 Baloo, with the Ludowici Police Department, is the latest to receive an AceK9 Heat Alarm system, valued at $1,500.

The AceK9 Heat Alarm is a temperature-monitoring system used in K9 vehicles that sends out SOS alerts if the inside temperature of the vehicle reaches a specified threshold, still regarded as safe yet approaching unsafe conditions, possibly due to air conditioner failure. At that point, the Heat Alarm system automatically activates the car’s horn, sirens and light bar, while simultaneously rolling down both back windows, notifying anyone around.

In Georgia, heat indexes can reach over 100 degrees in a matter of minutes. For example, if the outside temperature is 80 degrees, within 30 minutes, the temperature inside a car can reach 104 degrees. It is crucial for our four-legged officers to be protected.

The K9 vehicles are their offices, and if a K9 handler is in court testifying or taking care of other business that does not require his or her canine partner, the officer can now feel comfortable knowing he or she has a Heat Alarm system to prevent any heat-related illnesses or, worse yet, death.

According to Kyle Briley, founder and president of the Georgia Police K9 Foundation, “Our organization is honored that K9 Baloo, with the Ludowici Police Department, is able to receive his own AceWatchDog Heat Alarm system. Temperatures in Georgia can reach critical levels in a matter of minutes, and it is crucial we keep our working dogs safe from the heat. Working together, we really do make a difference.”

Baloo, a 2-year-old bloodhound, serves and protects the people in Ludowici for the mere payment of a reward toy and praise from his handler. Baloo loves family time and meeting the wonderful citizens in the community; however, this K9’s all-time favorite activity is playing the game at work as a searchand- rescue canine. He absolutely loves doing his job.

The Georgia Police K9 Foundation (GPK9F) is an all-volunteer 501(c)3 non-profit that helps raise awareness within the state and local communities of the infinite contributions made by police K9s and how they save lives to make our communities safe. Our goal is to protect as many of Georgia’s fourlegged officers as we can 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 opioids during a search and seizure.

Once a K9 has retired, the handler adopts their K9 partner and best friend. In the absence of state or local retirement benefits, GPK9F helps provide retirement support (food and medical care) for the K9s who have unconditionally served their communities for years. To date, the Georgia Police K9 Foundation has assisted more than 1,000 K9s in the state of Georgia by providing necessities, including 141 K9 protection vests, 66 heat alarms, 40+ Narcan kits and 30+ first aid kits, while also assisting 100+ retired K9s and providing 200+ training supplies and seminars/ trainings to numerous K9 teams across the state.

As a foundation, we want to thank each sponsor, donor and supporter of our mission. There are multiple avenues to join our foundation’s mission. If you are interested in finding out more about how you can help or to make a tax-deductible donation, please contact us through our website at GPK9F.org. Also be sure to follow Georgia Police K9 Foundation on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Checks can be mailed to Georgia Police K9 Foundation, 28 East Main St., Statesboro, GA 30458.

Together, we can assist active and retired law enforcement K9s to create safer communities.