SOUTH DENNIS – Hundreds of motorcyclists will ride from the Mid Cape to Provincetown Saturday for the annual Cape and Islands Police K9 Relief Fund Fun Run.
The event sees riders travel from Patriot Square in South Dennis to MacMillan Pier before enjoying hamburgers, hot dogs and beverages to raise money for the fund which covers the veterinary bills of retired police dogs for their handlers.
“People don’t really appreciate until it affects them personally, but they are always doing something positive, catching bad guys, armed robbers and they get nothing actually,” said Joe Ambrosini, the event organizer and founder of the Cape and Islands K9 Relief Fund. “They get affection from their handler but that is about it.”
Municipalities discontinue to pay for the dogs care when they retire and the burden often falls on the animals’ handlers.
Ambrosini is a former K9 handler, which led him to start the organization.
“The foundation is non-profit. Nobody gets paid. They are all volunteers,” Ambrosini said. “When the retired officer’s dog goes to the vet they send us the bill.”
Participants can sign up at the event between 9 and 11 a.m. The fun run is $20 for riders and $10 for passengers.
Donations can also be made at capecodpolicek9.org.