K9 Red
Red worked for the Sheriff’s Department for approximately 6 years. He specialized in narcotics detection and handler protection. In 2015 his handler was unable to continue in the K9 unit or care for Red. As a former handler Mr. Barnes and his family volunteered to take Red into his wonderful home.
In 2018 Red recently became sick and stopped eating. Mr. Barnes took Red to the vet and went into emergency surgery for a possible blockage. As the procedure got started, doctors immediately discovered Red had numerous cancerous tumors throughout his abdomen. This was the third surgery for Red since retiring from the department. The Vet Doctors determined the most humane thing to do was to have Red euthanized. These expensive surgeries created a huge financial hardship to the Barnes family.
SoCal K9 Foundation was contacted to see if any financial relief was possible. We understand and know first hand the financial hardship families goes through. San Diego County Canine Association(SDCCA) was also contacted for support.
It was our mission, YOUR donations, and with the collaboration of SDCCA made it possible to provide K9 Red’s family with some financial relief.
Thank you to the SOCAL K9 Foundation for your help in our time of need. When you take responsibility for these dogs at the end of their career you are also taking on their medical needs, which are no longer covered by the department. As any dog owner knows, the older the dog gets, the more issues they have. When it snowballs it can be overwhelming. Rod and the foundation stepped right up and offered us much needed assistance during a difficult time. Thank you!