Puppies Behind Bars donates service dogs to police and fire departments for community outreach, crisis response and department enrichment. We have a maximum of fifteen dogs to place per year. Puppies Behind Bars pays for 100% of the cost of placement, including transportation and lodging for training. Post-placement, all costs associated with caring for the
dog will be the responsibility of the recipient or department.
To qualify for one of our dogs, you must:
Application Process
Please fill out the application below. We will notify you, via email, that we have received your application. PBB staff will conduct an initial review to determine your eligibility. After that, we will schedule two separate interviews with you, conducted by two different PBB instructors. These interviews will be both over the phone and over Zoom video conference. If you live close by, we may ask to conduct one of the interviews in-person.
If we decide to proceed with your application, we will send links for you to forward to two people who are willing to fill out personal character reference forms (electronically) for you.
We will also require a letter from the appropriate head of your department and/or municipality. This letter should explain:
Within 2 to 4 weeks, we will contact your references and your department chief. A decision about your application should be made within six weeks of receipt of your application. If you are selected, you will invited to our next 14-day “team training.”
263 West 38th Street
4th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Tel. 212.680.9562
Fax 212.689.9330
programs@puppiesbehindbars.com
CFC #11902 | Fed. Tax I.D. #13-3969389
Puppies Behind Bars is a non-profit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, tax I.D. #13-3969389, and donations are tax-exempt to the extent allowed by law.
You may make a one-time donation in any amount you wish, or sign up for recurring gifts on a schedule that works for you.
If your donation is made in someone’s memory or honor, we will send a card to the designated recipient(s) acknowledging your generous donation on their behalf.
Please include the recipient’s mailing address on the online form. You can view an example of one of our cards here.
PBB offers many ways for you support our mission, including by phone and mail, and with memorial and matching gifts.
Click here to find one that works for you!