The United States Police Canine Association became the largest and oldest active organization of its kind-"Ever Striving for the Betterment of all Police Canine"-in August, 1971 when two existing associations, the Police K-9 Association and the United States K-9 Association, merged.

The original Florida Police K-9 Association, formed in 1964, was later changed to the Police K-9 Association in order to include other interested departments outside the section of the country established by the United States Police K-9 Association.

It didn't take too long before the members of these two fine organizations realized that strength was in unity and that their basic goals and objectives were the same and the present association was formed. Membership is spreading throughout the United States, Canada and with the Armed Forces, throughout the world.

USPCA Region 21 Facts:

• Region 21 covers all of Iowa and a small portion of NB and the Dakotas.
• Region 21 currently has 73 members.
• Most members are handlers, however, there are 14 members that are decoys and administrators.
• We have 62 Dogs in our Region that are certified in Narcotics.
• We have 44 Dogs in our Region that are dual purpose - Narcotics & Patrol.
• We have 29 GSDs, 17 Milinois and 14 Labradors, 1 Czech Shepherd, 1 Chesepeake Bay, 1 Wiemeriener, 1 Doberman, 1 Dutch Shepherd and 1 Spaniel in Region 21.
• We have 2 certified Bomb dogs and 1 certified Arson dog.

Our membership has grown from under 60 members in 1999 to the current number. We continue to grow every year and encourage membership.