Texas Task Force Canines
Investing in our Canine Heroes
Category 5 K9 is the official nonprofit that supports the canines of Texas A&M Task Force 1 (TX-TF1) and Texas Task Force 2 (TX-TF2). TX-TF1 is one of the 28 federal teams under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s National Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) System and acts as a statewide USAR team with TX-TF2 under the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM). TX-TF includes 18 deployable canine teams that support the team's search and rescue missions across the state of Texas and the nation. These teams search after major disasters like hurricanes, tornados, floods, and structural collapse.
All TX-TF canines are handler-owned and trained. This means their handlers pay for food, supplements, and training equipment for their canine partners. When these dogs retire their handlers take on the cost of all veterinary care which may include therapies for injuries or medications for arthritis from past deployments.
TX-TF canines
With support from amazing donors and corporate sponsors, Category 5 K9 provides deployment and training equipment to the canine teams of TX-TF. These resources alleviates the financial burden on handlers, reducing the need for out-of-pocket purchases. This support ultimately strengthens the overall capability and readiness of the canine teams, allowing handlers to focus on their vital work without the added stress of sourcing equipment and supplies.
With support from our amazing corporate donor Williams we have been able to provide Canine Deployment Medical Kits, Decontamination Kits, and Fire Bandaging Kits to each of the deployable canine teams.
Retired Canines
Category 5 K9 is dedicated to supporting the retired canines of the Texas Task Force through a specialized grant program that provides funding for veterinary care. Recognizing the invaluable contributions these heroic dogs make during hurricanes, tornadoes, and other disasters, our program helps cover essential treatments, including therapies for injuries and medications for arthritis sustained during their deployments. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we ensure that these remarkable canines receive the care they deserve, allowing them to enjoy a healthy and fulfilling retirement after a lifetime of service to the community.
