FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Welcome to the Paws 4 Blue K-9 Frequently Asked Questions page. Here you will find information about our mission, Police K9 assistance programs, grant eligibility, emergency medical assistance, essential equipment, training support, donations, sponsorship, and assistance available for active and retired Police K9s.

Paws 4 Blue K-9 is dedicated to supporting Police K9 teams in need, with a focus on active K9 teams serving with donation-funded law enforcement agencies and retired Police K9s. Because available funding may be limited, grant requests are evaluated based on need and priority, with emergency medical assistance receiving first priority.

Browse the frequently asked questions below to learn more about eligibility requirements, the grant application process, available assistance, donations, and how Paws 4 Blue K-9 helps support the Police K9 community.

 FAQs

  • K9 Buddy served with the Palmer Police Department in Massachusetts alongside his handler, Officer Sean Ford, from 2014 until his retirement in 2021.

    Buddy's service and the impact he had on our founder, Jan Garabedian, inspired the creation of Paws 4 Blue K-9 and the Buddy Foundation.

    K9 Buddy passed away on April 1, 2022, but his legacy continues through our mission to help other police K9 teams in need.

  • There are many ways to support our mission.

    You can make a donation, purchase merchandise from our online store, become a sponsor, attend or support a Paws 4 Blue K-9 fundraiser, or help spread the word about our organization.

    Every supporter helps us continue K9 Buddy's legacy and our mission to help police K9 teams in need.

  • Paws 4 Blue K-9 considers applications from active police K9 teams serving with eligible donation-funded law enforcement agencies that do not have an allocated budget for their K9 program.

    Retired police K9s that previously served with a law enforcement agency may also be eligible for assistance.

    All applicants must meet current eligibility requirements and submit a completed application for review.

  • Due to budget cuts, most Police Departments are not able to provide funding for Police dogs. It’s unfortunate, but true. This is why we formed Paws 4 Blue K-9. We are here to help with funding all across the country. With your help, we will be able to provide funds they desperately need.

  • We provide essential safety, tracking, and tactical gear that law enforcement budgets often cannot fully cover to keep active K-9 teams safe on duty.

  • Yes. You can make a donation directly on our website. You can send direct check donations to Paws 4 Blue K-9, P.O. Box 101, Palmer, MA 01069

  • Yes! You can browse and purchase our official apparel, hoodies, and support items directly through the Paw 4 Blue K-9 Online Shop. Proceeds from merchandise profits directly benefit the Buddy Foundation to fund veterinary care and tactical gear.

  • Our online inventory features high-quality apparel, cozy law enforcement appreciation blankets, custom double-walled tumblers, and support accessories. Check out our Full Merchandise Catalog to find the perfect gift for the K-9 supporter in your life

  • We proudly ship our official gear to supporters all over the USA! Every online transaction automatically triggers a secure tracking link via our e-commerce system, ensuring a great, transparent browsing and delivery experience.

  • Our online storefront features live inventory tracking. If a specific item, size, or color variant is visible and available for checkout on our shop page, it is ready to package and ship to you.

  • You can purchase official apparel, gear and fundraising items directly though the Paws 4 Blue K-9 Online Shop. All proceeds fund active and retired police K-9 medical needs and safety equipment.

  • Some of our seasonal apparel designs and specialty clearance collections sell out quickly. To secure your size in our signature hoodies or popular law enforcement support gear, we highly recommend ordering directly through our website as soon as items drop.

  • You can make a direct, tangible difference right here through Paws 4 Blue K-9. Many local municipal town budgets do not cover unexpected emergency veterinary care or advanced tactical gear for working dogs. We bridge that gap by issuing financial grants and equipment funding directly to K-9 teams across the USA.

    • Shop Our Merchandise: Visit our Online Storefront to purchase official apparel, hoodies, and blankets. Proceeds directly benefit our specialized fund, the Buddy Foundation.

    • Make a Direct Donation: You can mail check donations directly to our team at Paws 4 Blue K-9, P.O. Box 101, Palmer, MA 01069.

    • Attend Our Community Events: Come out to our annual fundraisers, multi-vendor craft fairs, and first responder events to support active and retired K-9 heroes in person.

    • Spread the Word: Share our mission, website, and official social media updates with your local business networks to help us recruit corporate sponsors and community donors.

  • 100% of donations received by Paws 4 Blue K-9 go directly to the Buddy Foundation.

    A portion of proceeds from purchases made through our online store also goes directly to the Buddy Foundation.

    These funds help us provide financial assistance to eligible active and retired police K9s in accordance with our current grant priorities and available funding.

  • The Buddy Foundation's ability to provide grants depends on available funding and current grant priorities. grants are currently limited to Emergency Medical Care, Essential equipment and training.

  • Yes. Eligible retired police K9s that previously served with a law enforcement agency may apply for assistance through the Buddy Foundation.

    Please review our current grant requirements before applying.

  • Yes. Although Paws 4 Blue K-9 began in Massachusetts, our mission extends across the United States.

    Eligible police K9 teams and retired law enforcement K9s from other states may apply for assistance.

  • No. At this time, Paws 4 Blue K-9 does not provide grants to establish or start new law enforcement K9 programs.

    Our available funds are dedicated to eligible active and retired police K9s that meet our current grant requirements.

  • No. Submitting an application does not guarantee financial assistance.

    Applications are reviewed for eligibility, the nature and urgency of the request, current grant priorities and the availability of Buddy Foundation funds.

  • Visit our Application for Assistance page to review the current eligibility requirements and submit an application.

    Please carefully review all requirements before applying.

  • Yes. Individuals and businesses can support Paws 4 Blue K-9 through sponsorship opportunities.

    Sponsorships help strengthen the Buddy Foundation and allow us to continue providing assistance to eligible police K9s as funding becomes available.

  • Visit our Our Story page to learn about K9 Buddy's service with the Palmer Police Department, his relationship with his handler, Officer Sean Ford, and how Buddy inspired Paws 4 Blue K-9 and the Buddy Foundation.

  • If you have questions about our organization, the Buddy Foundation, financial assistance, sponsorships or other ways to help, please visit our Contact page.

    Together, we can help honor and support the police K9s who serve our communities.