By Hope 103.2Tuesday 22 Jan 2019NewsReading Time: 2 minutes
You’ve heard of a Baby Boom – well now there is a ‘Puppy Boom’ too, as Guide Dogs NSW/ACT deals with a large number of new puppy births that took place over the New Year period.
And now they need help from new puppy raising volunteers. Around 40 Guide Dogs puppies need to be placed in loving homes for their first year of their lives. Puppy raising volunteers care for a Guide Dog puppy between eight weeks and 14 months of age. They play a vital role in preparing it for its life as a possible future Guide Dog, and need to be willing to put effort into training and socialising the puppy.
Volunteers must have a fully-fenced yard, be away from home no more than four hours at a time, have access to a car and be able to attend training days in their local area. They also need to be available for info sessions, vet checks and Puppy Pre-School, as well as everyday grooming, house training and exercising.
“As well as providing lots of love and cuddles, Puppy Raisers help introduce pups to the sights, sounds and smells it is likely to encounter as a Guide Dog,” Guide Dogs NSW/ACT Puppy Development Manager, Karen Hayter said.
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT provides a strong support network, as well as food, vet care, flea and tick prevention, and constant guidance.
If a pup grows up to be a successful Guide Dog, they will help one of the 28 people who are diagnosed in Australia every day with sight loss.
Breeding, raising and training a Guide Dog takes over two years and costs more than $50,000. Guide Dogs are provided at no cost to those who need them.
Guide Dog Volunteer Requirements
- Volunteers must have a fully-fenced yard
- Be away from home no more than four hours at a time
- Have access to a car and
- Be able to attend training days in their local area
- Need to be available for info sessions, vet checks and Puppy Pre-School, as well as everyday grooming, house training and exercising.
Anyone interested in becoming a Puppy Raiser can apply online at www.guidedogs.com.au/guide-dogs/puppy-raising or by calling the Guide Dogs Centre on (02) 4579 7555.
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT is the leading provider of Guide Dogs and orientation and mobility services for people with impaired vision.