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Your love is the first step in a life-changing journey.
As a Puppy Raiser, you’ll welcome a future Guide Dog into your home for their first vital year, nurturing them with love, patience and new experiences until they’re ready to return to us to start their formal training.
Submit your interest
Raise a pup. Help someone find their independence.
What is a Puppy Raiser?
Imagine tiny paws pitter-pattering through your home, a wagging tail that greets you each morning, and the joy of teaching a clever pup about the world.
As a Puppy Raiser, you’ll provide the foundational love and training for a future Guide Dog from the time they’re about eight-weeks-old until they return to us, ready for the next chapter, from 12 to 14 months old.
What makes an ideal Puppy Raiser
You don't need to be a dog training expert. You just need a big heart and the right lifestyle.
Our ideal Puppy Raisers are people who:
- Have a property that is fully fenced.
- Can have the puppy sleep indoors.
- Are active and can include a pup in their daily walks.
- Are home for most of the day or able to ensure the puppy is not left alone for more the 4 hours a day.
- Have access to reliable transport.
- If there are children in the household, they are more than 4 years old.
- If there are already pets in the house, those animals are comfortable sharing their home with a puppy.
And we will be with you every step of the way. Guide Dogs Victoria’s expert team and Puppy Raising network regularly checks in to provide support and guidance as well as taking care of most of the costs, including vet bills, food, puppy equipment and toys.
“It’s been really lovely to see the impact these dogs can have on other people and it’s been really rewarding in that regard. I won’t say it’s the easiest thing in the world, but it’s not hard. And so if it’s something that you’re interested in, if you love dogs, if you are interested in being able to help them out, training-wise and giving them lots of love and attention, if that sounds like you then I definitely recommend doing it. It’s a lovely way to give back to community and to hang out with dogs.”
– Mikaela, Puppy Raiser
I’ve got tiny paws and a big purpose! Will you help me become a life-changing companion?
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. We’re always on the lookout for dedicated Puppy Raisers to meet the growing needs of the blind and low vision community. Go ahead and register your interest – when you’re ready, we’ll coordinate with you to get started on this exciting journey.
It’s true – saying goodbye to this canine cutie can be tough. Ask any Puppy Raiser, and they’ll tell you that parting ways is the hardest part. But ask them if they’d do it all over again, and they’ll wholeheartedly say yes without hesitation. While it’s natural to form a bond over the 12 months, witnessing the profound impact the puppy has on someone’s life makes it all worthwhile. Remember, the puppy might be precious to you, but they’re a lifeline to someone with low vision or blindness. And with every goodbye, there’s the joy of welcoming a new pup into your home!
As a Puppy Raiser, you’re never alone. Guide Dogs Victoria provides:
- food, veterinary care, flea and tick prevention
- a dedicated Puppy Development Adviser for expert training advice and support
- peer-to-peer support from experienced Puppy Raisers who can offer friendly advice and encouragement
- temporary care options if you have holiday plans or an unexpected emergency.
Our advisors are experts in the field of puppy behaviour and personal interactions. They have helped thousands of puppies ‘grow up’ over the years, so you can be confident you’re receiving the highest quality support in every situation.
Yes, definitely! We have a fantastic network of Temporary Carers who can step in when you’re away. Whether it’s a short break or a longer holiday, we can arrange for one of our Temporary Carers to take over until you return.
Welcoming a puppy into your home and family to love, nurture and teach it for almost a year, and then say goodbye, takes courage and commitment. After 12 months of loving care, the puppy will return to our facilities for assessment and further training. And you can always apply to raise a new pup!
If you wish to Puppy Raise again, talk to your advisor. There can be variations in waiting periods for a new pup due to when they are born and the number of applicants already waiting. In the meantime, you can also act as a Temporary Carer until a new pup is ready to come home with you.
If you’re excited about the role, start by reviewing our Puppy Raiser requirements in addition to those listed above.
Once you’re ready to go, simply submit your expression of interest below. We’ll then be in touch to guide you through next steps.
Our Puppy Development Team will review your expression of interest within seven business days.
If accepted, you’ll be invited to an information session to learn more about this challenging and rewarding commitment.
Remember, if we do not have any Puppy Raiser spots available or you cannot commit to 12 months, you can also support Guide Dog puppies by making a tax-deductible donation. Your donations help provide play kits, comfy beds, puppy vaccination packs, and essential supplies for our pups.
Other ways to get involved
If you do not meet the criteria required to raise a puppy, there are other ways you can get involved.
There are so many ways to get involved and support the Guide Dogs community. If Puppy Raising isn’t right for you, you could consider:
Ready to continue?
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