About Pups for Peace

Who We Are & What We Do

In just 2.5 years, Pups for Peace (PFP) has moved from pilot project status to an ongoing program to protect innocent Israeli civilians.  This expansion is a validation of our mission to "detect terror to save lives" via the utilization of explosive-detection dogs in locations within the interior of Israel. 

Unlike the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) that provide security for the borders of Israel, PFP is the only nonprofit that purchases and trains bomb-sniffing dogs to protect Israeli citizens as they go about their daily lives -- shopping in outdoor markets and malls and taking public transportation within Israel.

Understandably, the Israeli government is strapped for funds and unable to finance these security services.  Hence, Pups for Peace was born out of necessity.  PFP works collaboratively with Israel's combined security forces (including the IDF, municipal police and the border police) and is proud to provide these additional protective services for Israel's civilian population.
 
Saved Lives and Prevented Injuries

To date, Pups for Peace has played a demonstrable role in deterring a significant number of terrorist incidents, as reported in the press and in statements by both the Israel Police and the IDF. As cited in the November 8, 2004 edition of the Jerusalem Post: 

"A PFP team was instrumental in preventing an attack on Jerusalem's Caf? Caffit on July 14, 2004, when a handler and his two dogs, named Heidi and Moshe Herzl, were called to the scene from their patrol near Davidka Square.  At the same time, sniffer dogs, Mira and Rubin, were brought by their handler from Emek Refaim to provide reinforcement.  While the organization will not reveal details of how the attack was thwarted, it is clear that the PFP teams, which work in eight-hour shifts and change their location every two hours or so, saved the day."

An article entitled, "These Israeli 'Agents Have a Nose for Explosives," published on January 26, 2005 in The Christian Science Monitor quoted Ronnie Lotan, PFP Director General in Israel as follows:

"In one recent incident, a suicide bomber in Jerusalem aborted her attempts to board a packed bus after seeing a Pups for Peace patrol at the bus stop.  Although she then detonated her device nearby, killing two soldiers who attempted to check her bag, the lives of a large number of civilians on board the bus were saved."
 
Accolades From Israeli Government

We are very grateful for the overwhelming support expressed by our professional colleagues, government officials, members of the Israel Defense Forces and, of course among our friends and generous donors.  Former Mayor of Jerusalem and Deputy Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert stated:

"Pups for Peace is a unique and innovative response to answering our growing need to protect the Israeli public. With existing security forces already stretched to the limit, the use of trained dogs, capable of detecting explosives and providing early warning of attacks is desperately needed and welcomed."

In March of 2004, the Knesset honored Pups for Peace for its "contribution to civilian security."  For further endorsements of our activities, please note our website, pupsforpeace.org.

Focus On Public Transportation

The Ministry of Transportation requested Pups for Peace to focus its 2004 / 2005 efforts exclusively on public transportation sites, where civilian casualties are high. 

After receiving major grant funding in 2004, PFP purchased another 60 dogs from Europe.  Since PFP's inception, we have trained/or are training 108 dogs and 58 handlers. Pups for Peace now has teams deployed in Jerusalem, Central Israel, and are expanding further into Northern Israel. 

Rigorous Training Program

Once the dogs are purchased, they are brought to Israel for a 4-6 month rigorous training period with their handlers.  We recently built two fully equipped kennels (in addition to our basic training facility in the Golan), one in Jerusalem and the other in Netanya with 28 separate units for each dog to reside when they are not deployed.

An extensive support system is required to train our dogs.  This includes food and veterinary services, bomb detection technicians for training, storage space for equipment, communication devices, and vehicles to transport the teams where they are needed.  Importantly, the dogs receive top treatment.  Their kennels are washed out daily, and the dogs are fed twice a day.  Any little scratch a dog may incur during the course of his training is treated immediately. While it is very expensive to purchase and train a "bomb detection team" ($25,000), we cannot place a price on saving a human life.

Revolutionized Security Dog Training

Since the organization's inception in 2002, Pups for Peace has revolutionized the approach to security dog deployment.  While a dog's attention span in is half an hour on average, the need for the dog's presence is ongoing.  PFP partners 2-3 dogs with each handler, forming a "bomb-detection team."  This enables the team to remain on location for eight hours straight without abandoning the field for more than a few minutes to change the dogs and allow the dog that had been active to rest.  Each team is equipped with a vehicle, thereby enabling mobility of the team and a safe and comfortable environment for the dogs when they are off duty.

Positive Impact On The Economy

Over the last 2.5 years, Pups for Peace has contributed to Israel's economy by creating at least 30 new jobs.  We believe that our program will grow to be self-sustaining over the next three years, and can be expected to provide for Israel's need for explosive-detection dogs well into the future. Additionally, the program has the potential to provide leadership in this niche of the worldwide security industry.

As is abundantly clear, tourism has been severely impacted because of the perception of terrorist attacks.  To the extent that PFP can prevent these horrific events, tourism to Israel will increase.  This will expand Israel's economy, which has been hindered since the beginning of the Intifada.

• Commitment to Low Overhead
Pups for Peace is unique in its approach to business.  Unlike other nonprofits, more than 90% of the monies raised goes directly to the procurement, care, feeding, transportation, and training of these dogs.  Specifically, fundraising expenses were only 5% of our revenues. General and Administrative expenses were somewhat higher in 2004 (but still only 14% of revenues) largely as a result of administering operations in both Israel and the United States until we were able to move all of our operations to Israel.

• Volunteer Staff
Other than four paid administrative employees in the US and Israel and three paid dog handlers in Israel, there is very little overhead to support.  Our volunteer Board of Directors function as staff. Our homes are used as offices, and our general volunteers serve as our goodwill ambassadors, speaking on behalf of the organization in cities across the United States.  Legal and accounting services are provided pro bono whenever possible.  Design, translation, PFP merchandise and printing costs are donated or heavily discounted to a fraction of their fair-market value.

• Shared Costs
Donor contributions are highly leveraged.  Once the dog/handler teams are trained and supplied, the Ministry of Transportation and other security forces cover their expenses.  The funds we receive are used immediately to purchase, train and deploy bomb-sniffing dogs at bus and rail settings. Since 65% of civilian casualties have taken place on buses, rail or at the stations, dogs and handlers are needed as quickly as they can be produced.

Future Pups for Peace Plans

As we move further into 2005, our current focus is to provide 300 dogs to Israel over the next three years, build a new training facility in Israel, and start a breeding program.  As Pups for Peace approaches its third anniversary, we look forward to maintaining our commitment to Israel's security and well-being.  In that spirit, we are reminded of the generosity of our donors and place special value on that partnership.  We hope that you will continue to join us in supporting this most important mission.