Police dogs spend an average of 8 years offering a priceless service to society . Work that only they, with adequate training, can carry out thanks to their wonderful qualities : they are capable of detecting, through their highly developed senses, substances such as drugs, money, the trace of a person, explosives, biological remains… in the most incredible places they can find. you can imagine there are even trained to find dead bodies underwater!
Without a doubt, our world is safer thanks to these canine heroes. They are a fundamental pillar in the fight against drug, species and black money trafficking , they find survivors under the rubble when a catastrophe strikes, they search for missing persons, they reduce criminals … Thanks to them, many homicides have been solved, criminal organizations or terrorist attacks have been prevented.
But, despite giving his life for us, his retirement is not guaranteed by the State . In many cases, the canine handler himself decides to give his faithful companion a home when his years of activity are over, but it is not always possible.
Thanks to some associations, they manage a decent retirement for these dogs . Also to those who have been discarded after training. Its members are, in many cases, members of the State Security Forces and Bodies who know how to choose the best families , taking into account the character of the animal and the type of work it has done.
- Do all members of the family unit agree?
Be a police dog or purchased. Or an adopted cat. Or a hamster that a friend gave you. Be it one or the other, we are incorporating a LIVING BEING into our home, which will share space and time with EVERYONE who lives there.That is why the first thing is that all the cohabitants agree to share their lives with a dog. And it is not a matter of convincing or “promising” the person who does not want that you are going to take care of walking him, cleaning or paying his expenses when he gets sick…
- Have you thought about what it means to incorporate a dog into the family?
Once we confirm that the whole family is in harmony with the adoption, we must consider if we can provide all the needs of the animal: time, space, spending on food, basic veterinary care and possible emergencies… Which will vary depending on the species, size, sex and even breed of the animal.
- Look for a specialized entity
These dogs are very special. They have been PROFESSIONALLY trained to develop a specific type of work. That is why it is very important that the people who manage adoptions know first-hand (thanks to their guides) the work they have done, what type of activity they have, their character, if they have had injuries or illnesses…Choose an ideal family for these “furry agents”, who have given everything for society, that gives continuity to the love and care that their guide has given them up to that moment.
4-legged heroes and Adopta K9 are two associations that manage the adoption of retired police dogs.
- Start the adoption process
Adopting one of these “canine cops” is usually a long process. First of all, you must fill out a questionnaire that will be reviewed by the members of the protection entity, together with the canine handler.If you have completed them for a specific dog, it will be analyzed if your profile is suitable for that animal. If you fit better with another, they will inform you which one is the most suitable for you. And, if none are found that fit your profile, you will be kept waiting to contact you when your “ideal partner” emerges.
After this first “contact”, the association will arrange a visit (or several) to meet your future family and the environment IN PERSON.
If, after all these procedures, you are still considered suitable to have the dog, the adoption will be formalized by signing a contract.
In addition, after the adoption, follow-ups will be carried out both by telephone or digitally as well as in person to verify that the animal is in perfect condition and that the adaptation to its new family is a complete success.
