(KAIR)--The Atchison County Sheriff’s Office is nominated for a K9 grant, but support from the public is needed to make the funding a reality.

According to a release, the grant funds of $15,000 are made available by Aftermath, a firm specializing in trauma cleaning and biohazard removal. The grants are being made available to law enforcement and first responder K9 units, with the funds earmarked for the expansion or maintenance of existing K9 units or to create news.

Voting in support of Atchison County Sheriff’s Office K9 Ernie can be done online here. However, what is presumed to be heavy traffic on the website, the County of Atchison says there are additional ways to vote. That can be done through social media accounts including Facebook(@AftermathCares) or Instagram(@AftermathK9Grant) Voters need to follow the accounts, then like and comment on daily posts with the agency name, city and state.

The total of $15,000 in grants will be awarded to the top eight agencies. 

Voting is open now through Halloween, Monday, October 31.

Votes can be cast every 24 hours.

Winners will be selected November 3.