TO OUR APPLYING AGENCIES:

In the past five years, we have been proud to gift nearly 60 trained bloodhounds to law enforcement departments across the nation. Our volunteers have given their time, effort and money to helping each of these bloodhounds develop into strong partners for their law enforcement handlers. Additionally, our trainers have spent countless hours training those receiving handlers, and helping acquaint them with the personality and characteristics of the bloodhound they receive.

To this point, we have assigned no cost or charge to the receiving agencies. All costs in excess of donations have been borne by the founders of this organization. Each year, the gap between funds donated versus funds needed has widened, until it has become insupportable. Our specific needs have increased, and we can no longer expect volunteers to handle all of the demands of this organization. Instead, we must consider additional avenues of survival.

The choices are simple: either we discontinue the gifting program, or we employ a ‘sliding scale’ for the requesting departments. Obviously, we feel that we have made a significant difference in many communities, and that our trained bloodhounds have given great value to law enforcement. And we feel that it is important to continue this program.

To this end, effective immediately, we ask that each requesting department review their ability to pay some portion of the cost associated with these trained bloodhounds. Our premise is simple: If those departments who have the ability to pay will do so (or pay some portion of those costs), we can continue to scholarship those departments who do not have that ability. There is legal precedent stating drug forfeiture dollars can be utilized (while these dogs aren’t trained to track narcotics, they certainly are trained to track the narcotics dealers).

Five years ago, we determined that it cost a little more than $7,000 to gift one trained bloodhound, using volunteer labor in almost every area. We now must move from relying on the generous nature of our volunteers, to hiring full-time employees with extremely specialized skills. The true cost of producing these trained bloodhounds can exceed $14,500.

Obviously, the need to make this shift is real, although we have been reluctant to do so. With your assistance, we can continue to provide these great bloodhounds to law enforcement, without interruption.

Application Procedure:

The length between application and trial placement ranges from 2 weeks to 6 months, dependant upon availability of graduating bloodhounds.

Initially, we require a letter from your Sheriff, on his letterhead, confirming his commitment to accept this dog on behalf of the Sheriff’s Office, and identifying you as the deputy assigned to handle the dog. Our expectation is that the Sheriff intends to incorporate the bloodhound into a working partnership within the department. We do not want to donate a highly trained dog, only to find that the animal is never offered the opportunity to work. The Sheriff should understand that the handler will be required to attend a training session of one week (minimum) at one of our Florida training facilities.

Upon receipt of that letter, we will contact you for additional information regarding the normal use of the dog. We will inquire about terrain, environment, and other factors. In that way, we will begin to determine which dog shows the specific talents that you will need.

After this interview (often done by phone or a series of e-mails), we will select the dog we think most closely matches your requirements. The handler will be required to attend training at one of our facilities, and will then receive the dog for a trial period of 4 weeks. Length of training time will be dependent upon the handler’s experience and/or support.

After the trial period ( phone 24/7 to answer questions or offer guidance), the department and handler will decide upon acceptance/rejection of the bloodhound. At that time, the organization requires a formal acceptance by the Sheriff and handler.

Each department uses its discretion in organizing this acceptance ceremony, however, we do expect local media coverage.

After acceptance and formal transfer of ownership, we ask these things:

• Treat this animal in a humane and caring manner, as we want all animals to be treated. We expect you to value and respect the animal as a working partner of law enforcement.

• During the first year, e-mail or phone with the dog and handler’s progress, on a monthly basis at the very least. Most of our grants require that we follow-up with the progress of our placements, and it is important to us on a personal level, as well.

• If you discontinue working this animal for some reason, please advise us. We would like the opportunity to place the dog with another handler, where it will be utilized.

• Make a difference.

This foundation was formed in memory of Deputy Kody Snodgrass, and when good things continue to happen in his name, we are rewarded in our hearts.

So----that is our program. Let us know if you’re ready to start!

Duke Snodgrass, Exec Dir
(352) 516-6167