Police Dogs: What Happens After Retirement? 

Police dogs (also known as K-9s) have a job to protect and assist law enforcement personnel. These dogs are tasked with tracking criminals, searching for drugs and explosives, sniffing evidence, and finding missing people. To no surprise, police dogs are a huge part of modern law enforcement. Have you ever wondered what happens to K-9s after they retire? You are in luck. Continue reading our article to learn more!

You may have heard of Robby’s Law by Bill Clinton in 2000. This law permits retired military and police dogs to be adopted by their handlers. Sadly enough, until Robby’s Law was passed, these dogs were routinely euthanized when no longer fit for service. The good news is that most police dogs are adopted by their handlers. This makes the most sense because of the close bond between the dog and the handler.

Specific organizations help law enforcement officers who have adopted retired police dogs. The Retired Police Canine Foundation and the National Police Dog Foundation are two organizations that we can think of that provide support. The good thing about these organizations is that they help cover the costs of veterinary care for retired police dogs, raise awareness, and provide other services to improve the lives of retired police dogs.

Most police dogs are adopted by their handlers, but in rare cases, civilians can adopt them. This can happen when a handler dies or if a police dog is unable to complete law enforcement training. If a police dog is available for civilian adoption, potential owners must pass a thorough screening process.

Retired police dogs are true heroes and deserve to live out their retirement in loving homes. We are thankful for Robby’s Law because most retired police dogs spend the rest of their lives with their handlers. It is rewarding to adopt a retired police dog, but it’s a job with many responsibilities.