Abbotsford pet microchip event supports retired BC police service dogs

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A registered charity dedicated to supporting retired police service dogs is hosting an event in Abbotsford next weekend to raise funds toward the essential first responders’ late-in-life care.

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Ned’s Wish was created to provide financial support for those who look after the canines after retirement. The average police or military dog retires around eight years of age, and their average life span is between nine and 12 years.

In most cases, the cost of their care during that time falls to their guardian, and it can be complicated and expensive because of the strains of the dogs’ demanding jobs.

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“I was astonished to learn that police dogs at the end of their career become the sole financial responsibility of their caregivers, usually the police officer who was their partner while they both put their lives on the line to serve and protect the public,” said Ken Macquisten, a veterinarian at Townline Veterinary Hospital.

“We see a lot of the Fraser Valley’s integrated police service dogs in our practice, both working and retired,” he said. “It feels like working on fine-tuned Ferraris, as our job is to help these high-performance canines get back on the road. But eventually, age and wear and tear catches up to them, and they are replaced with newer models.”

Police dogs and their caretakers get no municipal, provincial or federal support for looking after them and providing for their medical needs once they’re no longer on active duty.

“Because the work police and military dogs do is so physically demanding, families who adopt retired police or military dogs can be left with substantial and costly health issues,” said Macquisten. “It’s an unfortunate reality: medical issues and associated costs can dictate how well, how long or even if police dogs can enjoy retirement.”

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On Sunday, Oct. 22, Ned’s Wish is hosting a microchip implant event for pet owners with all proceeds going to the national Ned’s Wish charity, which bills itself as “a cause for heroes with paws.” The money will be used to allow local service dogs to live out their lives in comfort.

“Ned’s Wish protects the voiceless and valiant few who so selflessly protected us,” said Ned’s Wish president Stacey Talbot in a release. “These dogs are near the end of their lives, and providing for their health-care costs isn’t just a matter of compassion. It’s doing what’s right.”

The microchips, which are being donated to the Chips for Charity event by 24PetWatch, are small radio-frequency identification devices with a unique number associated with your pet. They can improve your dog or cat’s chance of coming home if it goes missing.

The event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the veterinary hospital, 31205 Maclure Rd. #7 in Abbotsford, offers microchips by donation along with a photo booth with active and retired service dogs, a chance to spend time with St. John Ambulance therapy dogs and merchandise and coffee for sale.

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The Lower Mainland integrated police dog service provides K-9 support to 28 RCMP detachments and five municipal police forces in the region, attending an average of over 10,000 service calls a year.

jruttle@postmedia.com

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