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Care for Retired Police Dogs (CRPD)

In 2022, Senate Bill 226 became law and established the Care for Retired Police Dogs Program in Section 943.69, Florida Statutes. The purpose of this program is to provide reimbursements to handlers/adopters of canines that retired from service at a law enforcement or correctional agency. Through this law, FDLE was required to release a competitive solicitation to select a non-profit organization to serve as the administrator of this program. This process resulted in the Retired Police Canine Foundation being selected as the recipient of these funds. 

Beginning July 1, 2025, handlers/adopters of eligible canines may claim up to $5,000 per canine per year under this program. This is an increase over the prior year's cap of $1,500.

Canine Eligibility Requirements

The Retired Police Canine Foundation is required to verify a canine's eligibility for the program based on a review of documentation meeting the criteria below: 

• Dog served five years or more with a single law enforcement or correctional agency; 
• Dog served a total of five years or more with two or more law enforcement or correctional agencies; or
• Dog served three years or more, with one or more law enforcement or correctional agencies, was injured in the line of duty while serving with such agency AND retired from the agency at the time of injury due to the injury sustained.

Eligible Veterinary Expenses

Funds under this program may be used for the following veterinary expenses, provided the expenses are the result of care/treatment from a licensed Florida veterinarian:

• Annual wellness exams
• Vaccinations
• Internal and external parasite prevention treatments
• Testing and treatment of illnesses and diseases
• Medications
• Emergency care and surgeries
• Veterinary oncology or other specialty care
• Euthanasia
• Cremation

How to Apply

Handlers and adopters of eligible canines who wish to apply for this program must: 

1. Obtain verification letters from the law enforcement agency or correctional agency from which the canine retired that certifies: (1) the canine was in the service of or employed by that agency; AND (2) the canine served five years or more with at least one law enforcement or correctional agency, OR the canine served three or more years and was injured in the line of duty and retired from the agency at the time of injury due to the injury. 
2. Submit an application through the Retired Police Canine Foundation site at:  https://www.policek9help.com/assistance_fl.php

The Retired Police Canine Foundation will review information to determine eligibility. Handlers/adopters of eligible canines may then work with the Retired Police Canine Foundation to submit requests for reimbursement of eligible veterinary expenses. 

Contact Information

The Retired Police Canine Foundation
P.O. Box 5687
Spring Hill, FL 34611
(315) 307-7625
info@policek9help.com