Career Change Application
Please return to:
Career Change Coordinator
OccuPaws Guide Dogs
PO Box 45857
Madison, WI 53744 or e-mail to:
608-772-3787
Occasionally OccuPaws has Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, poodles or german shepherds that are available for adoptions as pets. These dogs typicallyare between the ages of eight weeks and two and a half years old, and are temperamentally unsuited for guide work. Although these dogs do not qualify for guide work, they often make wonderful pets. The following are some of the reasons dogs disqualify from our program: sensitive to noise/traffic, lack of confidence, uncomfortable with new surroundings, aggressive with other animals, orthopedic problems, allergies and eye irregularities.
Before we offer a dog to the public for placement, the dog may be offered to an assistance dog program, police/fire rescue dog programs or the puppy raiser. The wait for a change of career dog can be relatively long. Although these dogs have been raised to be future guide dogs, the training at the time of disqualification will vary. The majority of dogs disqualified from our program have not received formal guide dog training.
All disqualified dogs, male and female are spayed or neutered. We request a tax-deductible donation to defray expenses when you receive the dog. The minimum donation for a disqualified dog is $2,000. In the event a dog becomes available with special needs, we may offer that dog without a donation request, taking into consideration the dog’s temperament, medical history and extend of training. OccuPaws reserves the right to set donation requirements for all our change of career dogs.
We will hold applications for one year. All applications become void one year from the day of receipt. If you wish to remain on our career change waiting list after the one year period, please send us a new completed application.
Potential guide dogs are raised in a family environment, spending most of their time as house dogs. They are not to be kenneled or tied outside for long periods of time. Please consider this factor when applying to adopt a career change dog from our program.
Name:
Phone #(s): (Home, Work, Cell):
Email Address(s)
Address:
Hi there adopter!
This is NOT a test. There are no right or wrong answers. Please answer thoughtfully and honestly. Your responses will be used by us to help make the best possible match of a career change dog with your family members, home and lifestyle.
How many people live in your house?
Please list ages (if children, list age and gender)
Is there anyone in the home (or frequent visitor) who is allergic, dislikes or is afraid of dogs?
If so, how are you going to accommodate this person and still meet the needs of the dog?
How did you learn about OccuPaws?
Do you have any pets right now? ____ If so, what kind, breed/sex?
If you own, or have owned dogs before, what were they like, how or where did you get them, and what happened to them, that they are no longer with you?
Describe the MOST important traits you like in a dog:
Describe the LEAST important:
Do you have a breed/sex/age preference?______
Do you have a color preference? If so, for what color and why?
What hobbies and activities do you and/or your family enjoy?
Dog Experience:
1-Obedience Shows 2-Conformation Shows 3-Hunt Tests 4-Field Trials 5- Tracking 6-Agility 7-Rally 8-Therapy dog 9-Canine Good Citizen 10-Search and Rescue 11-Scent/Police Work 12-Guide/Assistant Dog 13-Hunting 14-Obedience Classes 15-Crate Training
Do you have any experience in any of the above? If so, explain:
Do you live in a house, condo, apartment or other? If other, explain:
Is the yard fenced so the dog could not escape?
Is there any other enclosure for a dog? If so, describe:
If there is no fence or no enclosures, what arrangements will you make to keep the dog well exercised and still safe and on your property?
Describe your street, the traffic on it and the speed limit:.
Describe neighboring streets:
Where will the dog be at night?
Where will the dog be when you aren’t home and you can’t take him/her with you?
Where will it be when you are home?
Describe what the dogs environment where (s)he will be spending most of the time?
How did you find OccuPaws please be specific.
Would you consider adopting a dog with physical limitations?
I understand that if unable to continue raising or caring forthe dog, that I will contact OccuPaws for placement into another home: Yes No
You understand that you will not use the dog for any purpose other than a pet and cannot be used for therapy work without proper additional training. You will not harm, sell, give away or otherwise convey the dog to any other person or persons or to be used for research or any illegal activity and must agree to always treat the dog humanely.
OccuPaws reserves the right to take the necessary legal action on behalf of the dog placed in your home if we ever have reason to believe that it is being misused, mistreated, neglected or harmed. Agreed: Yes No
Signatures(s)
Date:
Thank you for your application!
Pleasee-mail the completed application to: or mail it to:
Career Change Coordinator
OccuPaws Guide Dog Association
PO Box 45857
Madison, WI 53744
Career Change Application - OccuPaws Guide Dog AssociationPage 1