At the Thin Blue Paw Foundation, we support retired police dogs when they need us most.

Today, we’re asking for your help for two former North Yorkshire Police police dogs, Miki and Kenai, who both urgently need major surgery just months after retiring from service.

Together, the cost of their operations is expected to exceed £6,000, and we are committed to ensuring both dogs receive the treatment they desperately need.

Six-year-old German Shepherd Miki served as a general purpose police dog from 2021 until he was medically retired in 2025.

During his career, Miki tracked suspects, found vulnerable missing people and recovered vital evidence. But years of demanding work left him suffering from spondylosis, hip dysplasia and a ruptured cruciate ligament.

Now, his second cruciate ligament has ruptured and he urgently needs specialist TPLO surgery so he can walk comfortably and enjoy life again.

His former handler, Claire, told us: “Miki was so much more than a police dog to me, he’s my best mate. He deserves to enjoy retirement without pain and still has so much life ahead of him.”

Seven-year-old German Shepherd Kenai served for six years as both a general purpose and firearms support dog.

After retiring, Kenai was adopted by fellow police officers Ashley and Jess, who wanted to give him the loving retirement he deserved.

But just weeks into retired life, Kenai suffered a devastating accident while playing fetch and fractured his elbow.

He now needs urgent specialist surgery to repair and strengthen his leg.

Ashley said: “As soon as we met him, we fell in love. He’s such a gentle, loving dog and we’re trying to give him the retirement he deserves.

When the charity stepped in to help, it was a huge weight off our minds.”

Both dogs are currently being treated by specialist veterinary teams at Pennine Veterinary Referrals, and we are covering the full cost of their surgeries and rehabilitation.

As a national charity supporting hundreds of retired police dogs across the UK, emergency cases like these place huge pressure on our funds.

Our founder, Kieran Stanbridge, said: “Miki and Kenai gave everything during their police careers and now they need our help. These surgeries will give them the chance to run, play and live pain-free again. Every donation, no matter the size, will make a real difference.

Police dogs spend their lives protecting the public. Now it’s our turn to protect them.

Every pound donated will go directly towards Miki and Kenai’s surgery, rehabilitation and recovery.

Any funds raised above the amount required for Miki and Kenai’s treatment will go into the Foundation’s unrestricted funds and will be used to further our charitable aims, supporting retired police dogs across the UK when they need us most.

Thank you for standing with retired police dogs when they need it most.