Police dogs are amazing! They work heroically alongside their human partners to keep our cities safe – upholding various duties, from searching for drugs and explosives to finding evidence at crime scenes.
When the time comes for police dogs to hang their K-9 badges, they are usually adopted by their handlers or other members of law enforcement. When this isn’t an option, retired police dogs may be up for adoption to the general public. But adopting a retired police dog isn’t as straightforward as walking into a shelter and filling out an adoption form.
This article will cover everything you need to know about adopting retired police dogs. Read on to learn the whole process and tips on welcoming home a former police dog to make the transition from service to civilian life easier.
Adopting a retired police dog is an incredible accomplishment that gives back to an animal that served the community. It would undoubtedly be a rewarding experience, but your options for adopting retired police dogs may be more limited than you think.
Police dogs form unbreakable bonds with their handlers after serving alongside them for years. Naturally, their handlers are always the first choice for adopters when they retire. In cases where the handler can’t adopt a former police dog, other service members of the police department are usually the ones that are given the priority to adopt.
This significantly reduces the number of retired police dogs available for adoption to the general public. Although it takes more work (and time) to adopt a retired police K-9 officer than a dog from your local shelter, it isn’t impossible.
Other than the smaller number of retired police dogs looking for homes, the organizations that find homes for these dogs are only a handful. In fact, there isn’t a nonprofit strictly dedicated to finding homes for retired police dogs. They help retired working dogs in general, and occasionally, you come across former police K-9s.
Having said that, you often need to do the heavy lifting yourself and find a retired police dog looking for a home. Here are three places to contact and inquire about adopting retired police dogs.
Your best option for adopting a retired police dog is to contact police departments. Ask if they have dogs near retirement that will be up for adoption. Some law enforcement agencies even have waiting lists for such inquiries.
However, keep in mind that the waiting times can be several years before a dog becomes available for adoption. It isn’t uncommon for prospective adopters to wait a few years before they have a chance to meet a retired police dog up for adoption.
Another way is to submit an application form to nonprofit working dog rescue organizations like Mission K-9 Rescue, Patriot K-9, or Warrior Dog Foundation. These nonprofits don’t specifically focus on finding homes for former police dogs, but they have many looking for forever homes.
When adopting through these organizations, you typically submit an adoption form detailing your home, family, and dog-handling experience. Note that they might reject your application depending on your information.
One final way to adopt retired police dogs is by contacting K-9 officer training facilities. Many dogs fail their police dog training and are subsequently made available for adoption. While you technically won’t be adopting a retired police dog, you would be helping a dog in need of a home that underwent law enforcement K-9 training.
Alternatively, you can adopt military working dogs. The DoD Military Working Dog Adoption Program accepts applications for dogs that couldn’t pass their test. However, the adoption requirements for these dogs are usually stricter. Also, failed military working dogs can be demanding as they are young, high-energy dogs that need a lot of attention.
Before you bring home a retired police dog, you must meet the prospective adopter requirements. These vary depending on the law enforcement agency or the organization and the dog’s individual traits, such as breed, age, and size.
Typically, the adopter requirements are as follows.
Let’s say you meet the prospective adopter requirements, and a retired police dog is finally available for adoption. It’s now time to get ready for the adoption process.
Nonprofit organizations and police departments want to ensure you are the right fit for their dogs. You may need to undergo screening and answer questions about your home, lifestyle, and experience in dog handling. This process can take time, and there’s no guarantee that you will adopt a former police dog.
If you’re accepted, the final procedures vary. In most cases, you will be required to pick up the dog yourself and may need to complete a brief session on handling the dog.
In the line of duty, police dogs frequently encounter high-stress situations. Some might develop PTSD or severe trauma due to the nature of their work. While adopting a retired police dog will allow them to be carefree for the rest of their lives, it’s essential to help them transition to their new life as smoothly as possible.
Make sure to learn their feeding schedule, favorite treats, temperament, what they like and don’t like, any quirks they might have, and so on. You can then create the optimal environment and establish a routine to help them transition to the life of a loved pet.
Also, consider seeking professional help from a dog behaviorist when needed. Most retired police dogs do well in a home setting after hanging up their K-9 badges. But some have difficulties adjusting to their new life – even with all the love and spoiling you give. A professional dog trainer can help you set the appropriate routine for a retired police dog to adjust to civilian life.
It’s an incredible feat to provide a loving home to an animal that served the community, but adopting a retired police dog isn’t for everyone. Retired police K-9s can be difficult to handle for novice dog owners. If you have little experience handling dogs, think again before adopting a retired police dog.
Additionally, retired police dogs, despite their age, can have high exercise needs. They require multiple daily walks, as well as playtime or agility training, to stay physically fit. Since these dogs are also highly intelligent, they need to stay busy. Games and activities that keep them mentally stimulated are a must to keep them happy and fulfilled.
Having a retired police dog as a pet can be more demanding than expected. Consider adopting a dog from your local shelter if adopting a retired police dog seems like too big a challenge. Many dogs in shelters are looking for forever homes that would be thrilled to put a paw over your shoulder.
Police dogs typically begin wearing their K-9 badges when they are between 12 and 18 months old. Retirement usually comes around age seven or eight. However, it isn’t uncommon to see a police dog serving the community until age eleven or twelve.
There are various reasons why police dogs retire – old age being the most common. Since their jobs are physically demanding and come with risks, they can sustain injuries or develop medical conditions that make it unsafe for them to remain in service. Other reasons police dogs retire include a decline in performance, behavioral changes, and the arrival of new police K-9s.
It isn’t necessarily dangerous to adopt retired police dogs. They are well trained, socialized, and get along well with other pets and people after retirement. However, police dogs are more driven to protect their owners and family than companion dogs. While this is a beneficial trait for most people and families, former police dog owners must know how to handle their dogs.
Adopting a retired police dog can be very rewarding, but knowing how the process works is crucial to make sure your new dog fits in with your family. Following our above guide and tip can help you bring home the newest member of your family.