If you have a fenced yard and a lot of time on your hands, Guide Dogs for the Blind wants to hear from you. They're looking for puppy-raisers.
What are the requirements to become a Guide Dog puppy raiser?
First and foremost, you need to live in one of these Western states:
Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah or Washington.
After that, you need to understand and agree to their Puppy Raising Commitment:
- A local representative will interview you in your home.
- As a potential puppy raiser, you will join a local puppy raising club and attend preliminary club meetings. Once you receive your pup, you will need to continue to attend regularly scheduled club meetings and outings.
- You will need to submit completed puppy raising applications, available through your club's puppy raising leader.
- All members of your household must be committed to raising a puppy.
- You can be an adult or a youngster, but you have to be at least 9 years old.
- Your home must provide a safe and secure living environment.
- You need to be available to supervise a young puppy throughout the day.
- Your puppy must be on leash when not in a secure area.
- There must be a compatible relationship with other pets in your home.
- Your puppy must sleep indoors.
- You must be committed to providing daily exercise and socialization for your pup.
- You are responsible for some expenses, including food and incidentals. These expenses may be tax-deductible, depending on your state tax laws.
- You must use Guide Dog approved training and management techniques when working with your puppy.
- You need to be willing to travel to meet with Guide Dog representatives for evaluation of your puppy's progress and/or attend training workshops.
- You must be a positive representative of Guide Dogs for the Blind within your community.
- You are required to release the puppy back to Guide Dogs for the Blind at our request.
