MARK-9

Medical Assistance for Retired K9s. When working K-9s retire, they often live with their partner and the family.

These K-9s do not have a pension...very few departments have a program in place to care for the medical needs of these K-9s during retirement. The goal of MARK-9 ("Medical Assistance For Retired K-9s") is to provide financial assistance for the medical care of retired working dogs. Many K-9s retire when they are older, just as they may be developing medical problems. Many handlers are not in the f

inancial position to afford the ongoing care, whether it be annual wellness care, an unexpected illness, or a medical emergency. MARK-9 raises funds which will be distributed for eligible K-9s. Our focus is in the Chicagoland region… but our growth to all of Illinois and even the country is developing over time! We are a 501c3 Not For Profit Charity. Your donations are tax deductible! For more information, email: [email protected]

03/18/2026

Save the date for a fun and easy way to support MARK-9. 🐾📅💙

From April 9 through April 15, Lazy Dog in Naperville will be hosting a fundraiser for MARK-9, and 15% of your order will be donated back to our organization. Whether you dine in or order online, your meal can help support retired K-9s. 🍽️🐕‍🦺

Be sure to mark your calendar now and plan to join us during fundraiser week. More details will be coming soon, but for now, save these dates and help us spread the word. 🎉

Lazy Dog Restaurant
436 S. State Route 59
Naperville, IL

Online orders will also count toward the fundraiser with the event code: 02NAPERVILLE 📱

We hope you will plan to participate and invite your friends and family too. Every meal makes a difference. 🐾

03/11/2026

The new Illinois Police K9 Memorial License Plate will fund a program to help cover veterinary expenses for retired police dogs across the state.

The Care for Retired Police Dogs Grant Program will provide up to $1,500 per year to reimburse handlers or adoptive families for eligible veterinary costs. The program will be supported entirely through license plate sales, at no cost to taxpayers. There is a $25 fee to be placed into the fund.

Illinois drivers interested in supporting retired police K9s can apply for the new plate here:https://www.ilsos.gov/content/dam/publications/pdf_publications/vsd978.pdf

03/03/2026

Welcome K-9 Rudi to MARK-9.

Rudi is a Malinois and Shepherd mix originally from Hungary, and he started work in June 2019. He served as a dual-purpose K-9, cross-trained in patrol work and narcotics detection, bringing both presence and precision to every deployment.

Rudi’s career also came with a hard cost. He suffered two serious knee injuries to his back legs that required extensive surgeries. His final injury ultimately ended his working career. Even so, his service speaks for itself: he showed up, did the job, and gave everything he had.

Today, Rudi is exactly where he belongs, retired and living at home with his handler. Thank you, Rudi, for your service and sacrifice.

https://www.mark-9.org/rudi-25-30/

02/22/2026

Please join us in welcoming K-9 Rizzo to the MARK-9 family. 🐾

Named after former Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo, Rizzo brought big-league heart to every shift. His friends affectionately called him the “Tactical Tracking Raccoon,” a nod to both his skill and his quirky personality.

Born March 15, 2016, in Slovakia, Rizzo began his service on July 4, 2017, and served with distinction until January 5, 2025. He was dual-certified in narcotics detection and patrol, and proudly became the first fentanyl-certified K9 in the county he served. That milestone reflects the level of training, discipline, and trust placed in him throughout his career.

Rizzo now begins a well-earned retirement after years of dedicated service and protection of his community. We are honored to help support him in this next chapter.

Welcome to retirement, Rizzo. You’ve earned it. 🐶💙

https://www.mark-9.org/rizzo-25-29/

02/21/2026

Welcome K-9 Vincent 🐾💙

In March 2016, his handler began K-9 school and traveled to Castle K9 in Pennsylvania to choose a partner. After narrowing it down to two dogs, Vincent made the decision easy. He gently jumped up and gave a kiss. The partnership was sealed.

After 17 weeks of patrol training and 9 additional weeks for narcotics certification, they became a certified K-9 team. From 2016 to June 30, 2023, they worked countless narcotics cases and successful tracks throughout their jurisdiction and neighboring towns. It was the hardest and best seven years of his handler’s career.

In April 2023, Vincent suffered a devastating wrist injury during a track, requiring surgical fusion and leading to retirement. Soon after, two cancers were discovered and surgically removed. Thanks to fellow K-9 officers who organized a fundraiser, his medical care was covered.

Today, Vincent is cancer-free and enjoying retirement. We are honored to welcome this brave boy. 🐕‍🦺

https://www.mark-9.org/vincent-25-28/

02/17/2026

♦️♣️ We have PHOTOS!! ♠️♥️ RELIVE some of the 10th CA$H for CANINES moments here captured by our 2 volunteer photographers!

https://bit.ly/3OfvdB7

02/16/2026

Please join us in welcoming K-9 Trix to the MARK-9 family.

Trix is an 11-year-old Belgian Malinois who spent most of her career serving inside the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center. Trained under master trainer Roger Abshire of US K9 Unlimited and maintained through annual NPCA certifications, she upheld professional standards throughout her service.

As a narcotics, cell phone, and to***co detection K9, Trix located ma*****na, methamphetamine, to***co products, and ni****ne vapes, helping protect staff and maintain safety inside the facility. In 2019, she was recognized as Corrections Deputy of the Month after a major detection during a facility shakedown.

Today, years of demanding work have left Trix with severe hip dysplasia and advanced arthritis. She now needs ongoing medical care to stay comfortable in retirement. Her handler adopted her at the end of her service and is committed to giving her the care she deserves.

https://www.mark-9.org/trix-25-27/

🐾💙

02/15/2026

Please welcome K9 Chewey to the MARK-9 family. 🐾💙

Chewey is a 14-year-old Labrador Retriever who proudly served the Glendale Police Department for 11½ years as an explosive detection K9.

Working alongside his handler, Tony, Chewey helped keep countless people safe. He swept major events across the Phoenix metro area, including Super Bowls, concerts, and sporting events. When called upon, Chewey and Tony were also task-forced to assist the Federal Bureau of Investigation Phoenix Division, responding to callouts throughout the FBI’s jurisdiction.

For more than a decade, Chewey stood on the front lines, protecting communities at some of the largest and highest-profile events in the country. That kind of service takes dedication, discipline, and heart.

Now in retirement, Chewey has earned the chance to slow down and simply be a dog again. 🐕

Thank you for your service, Chewey. We are honored to support you in this next chapter.

https://www.mark-9.org/chewey-25-26/

02/14/2026

***2/17/26 UPDATE: We have confirmed with the Blackhawks that this seat block is SOLD OUT but that regular tickets are still available!***

MARK-9 is proud to partner with the Chicago Blackhawks to honor the First Responders who serve Chicagoland every single day.

Join us on Sunday, March 22nd at the United Center for the special First Responders Game featuring:

• An exclusive Blackhawks Police Jersey
• A ticket to the Blackhawks vs. Predators game
• A ticket to the Chicago Fire Department vs. Chicago Police hockey game

For every ticket purchased through our special link:
• $5 will be donated for 300 level tickets
• $10 will be donated for 100 or 200 level tickets

Proceeds benefit MARK-9, supporting those who stand beside our working and retired K-9 heroes.

https://www.gofevo.com/event/Specialinterest2521

Get your tickets through our link and join us for an unforgettable night of hockey and purpose.

02/05/2026

Thank you again to everyone who joined us for CA$H FOR CANINES - Casino Night. Because of your support, the event was a success and helped raise critical funds for retired working K-9s through MARK-9. We truly had a great time celebrating with you.

We recently sent an email with a short feedback survey. If you did not see it, or if it slipped past your inbox, we would still love to hear from you. Your input helps us improve the event and make it even better in the years ahead.

Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts here:
https://www.mark-9.org/cash-for-canines-survey/

Thank you again for attending (either online or in person), for your generosity, and for supporting the retired K-9s who have given so much in service to others.

01/31/2026

🎉🐾 It’s Auction Day – Let’s Go 🐾🎉

Today is the day! Our Cash for Canines auction is in full swing, and the excitement is building 🎰✨

If you have your eye on an item, now is the time to check your bids and be ready to jump back in. Do not let someone sneak in at the last minute and outbid you 😄👀

⏰ The auction closes tonight at 11:00pm Central Time

Every bid helps support MARK-9 and provides critical medical care for retired working K-9s who have spent their lives protecting our communities 🐕‍🦺❤️

Finish strong, have some fun, and know that every winning bid makes a real difference.

👉 Place your bids here before time runs out:
https://givebutter.com/c/cashforcanines2026

Good luck, happy bidding, and thank you for supporting our K-9 heroes 🐾

01/30/2026

🥶❄️ Chicago Winter… Meet Florida Sunshine ☀️🏖️

Dreaming of escaping the cold, gray Chicago weather? We have just the thing 🌴✨

One of the featured items in our Cash for Canines auction is a Destin, Florida condo stay. Think warm sand, ocean breezes, and sunshine instead of snow boots and ice scrapers 😄

🏖️ Destin Condo Auction Item
👉 https://givebutter.com/c/cashforcanines2026/auction/items/1561923

This is the perfect chance to plan a beach getaway while supporting a great cause. Every bid helps MARK-9 provide medical care for retired working police K-9s who have given years of service to our communities 🐕‍🦺❤️

You do not need to attend Casino Night to bid, and bidding from your couch while wrapped in a blanket totally counts 😉

👉 Browse all auction items and start bidding here:
https://givebutter.com/c/cashforcanines2026

Sunshine, beaches, and helping K-9 heroes… that is a winning hand ♠️🐾

Address

Lisle, IL
60532

Telephone

630-301-2320

Website

http://mark-9.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when MARK-9 posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in Lisle?