Friends of Fairfield K-9s help with retirement costs for K-9 families

SUSAN HILAND SHILAND@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

riends of Fairfield K-9s is on a mission to help Solano County police K9s through their retirements.

Lisa Murphy and Fairfield Mayor Catherine Moy, executive directors of the nonprofit, have been working hard to raise money for K-9s because they do not get retirement like their human partners.

In addition, Murphy and Moy would like to create a memorial for the police dogs in the park near City Hall as a reminder of their dedication to their jobs.

Murphy retired in July 2019 after 10 years as the Vacaville Police Department training manager. She began her career on patrol as a community service officer in October 1993, moving into the Court Liaison and Records offices before finding her niche as the training manager.

Murphy and Moy created Friends of Fairfield K-9s in August 2019.

“While I was attending training in Anaheim, I saw this beautiful memorial for K-9s there,” Murphy said. “It really gave me an idea of something that I think we should do here.”

But it wasn’t until Fairfield police K-9 Cort was bitten and stabbed by a man in April 2022 that it was brought home to Murphy how important it is to have funds for medical treatment for these K-9s.

“I wanted to do something to help offset the medical costs,” she said. “That is the huge goal for us.”

When K-9s retire, the costs for medical bills fall on the families.

“That is the way it is across all of America,” Murphy said.

The organization really didn’t get going until recently due to Covid-19 but they have held a couple of fundraisers, including one at Paradise Valley Legends. Friends of Fairfield K-9s also sells toy versions of its police dogs – Xero, Bosch, Kilo, Leon and Cort – complete with vest and badge.

“Those all sold out,” Murphy said, “but we are going to be placing another order for them.”

Murphy will let the public know when people can purchase them again.

Moy and Murphy are planning a 5K run in August and hope to see members of the community out with their own dog companions for a little exercise.

“I am still working on where that will be,” Murphy said.

For more information, go to the group’s Facebook page, Friends of Fairfield K9s.