Thank You for Your Recent Inquiry Regarding the Adoption of One of Our Dogs Either Withdrawn

Dear Sir/Madam

Thank you for your recent inquiry regarding the adoption of one of our dogs either withdrawn from the training programme or retired from service.

We have enclosed information pertaining to adoption for your perusal, which covers points you should consider carefully before making an application. Please read it carefully. Hopefully, this information will provide answers to all questions you may have. Please feel free to call, should you have any queries.

Once again, thank you for your interest and we look forward to receiving your application.

Yours sincerely,

Fiona Notton

Adoption Programme Coordinator

Blind Foundation Guide Dogs

(09) 269 0400 0274977801

Thank you for your interest in adopting a dog from Blind Foundation Guide Dogs. We appreciate your interest in providing a permanent home for a dog that is no longer suitable as a Guide Dog and now requires a career change.

As part of our adoption procedure we keep a register of all people who wish to adopt a retired Guide Dog or one of our dogs which is not suited for guiding work. With the right home environment, these dogs can make wonderful pets, however adopting a former guide dog, or a dog that has been withdrawn from training, is a big responsibility. Sometimes, there is more than one person with a vested emotional interest in the dog, and this is particularly so with a retired guide dog. These dogs are accustomed to human companionship and thus require a home where they become an integral member of the family.

Our dogs may require a career change at various stages of their lives, and for various reasons. Some dogs have health problems or possess a challenging temperament, which renders them unsuitable for guide work. It could be that they are from our Training Programme, and these dogs are, in general, aged between 12 and 18 months.

On occasion, retired guide dogs become available for adoption. It is normally time for a working guide dog to kick back, relax and enjoy retirement any time from nine to 13 years of age. Homes that can offer the dog a happy retirement and take care of them in their aging years, providing any medical care needed, are welcomed.

Occasionally a puppy under the age of 12 months may be found to be unsuitable to continue on the Puppy Development Programme and may be available for adoption.

If you wish to adopt one of our dogs, you will be expected to sign an Agreement stating you will take full care and responsibility for the dog’s health, welfare and security and that you will continue to register and vaccinate annually. The dog must not be used as a guide dog for a blind person and the dog shall live inside as a member of the family.

If you would like to adopt one of our dogs, it is expected that a donation of between $300 and $600 will be made to Guide Dog Services (donations are tax-deductable).

Before you complete the Adoption Application Form we would like you to consider the following points:

The dog will be totally dependant on you for as long as it lives. It will depend on you for food, veterinary attention, company and play.

Dogs can be expensive. Responsible ownership costs money. Feeding, housing, fencing, worming, vaccinations, veterinary health checks, registration and holiday boarding are costs which must be met in order to adequately care for a dog.

You must have a secure, or fully fenced section.

Most importantly, you must have time. All dogs need basic care and attention, feeding, grooming, exercise and careful training. If a dog is deprived of company and attention, it may result in anti-social behaviour e.g. chewing, barking, aggression or a breakdown in toilet habits. If you lead a busy lifestyle and you do not have time to spend with the dog during the day, you would be unwise to get a dog.

THE ADOPTION PROCESS

When your completed adoption application form is received by GD and you meet our criteria, your details will be added to the adoption waiting list and you will be sent confirmation that you are on our register. This will remain provisional until your property is checked. Your application will remain active for two years after which, if you wish to remain on the wait-list, you will need to submit a new application.

Once a dog becomes available, or sometimes before, GD will carry out an informal home visit in order to meet you and assess the home environment. You will be fully informed of the dogs’ history and reason for withdrawal. If you accept the dog recommended, you will receive basic handling and care instructions. An Adoption Agreement form is signed and the dog is placed with you for a two week trial period. We will keep in touch throughout the trial period, and any problems or concerns can be discussed and additional advice provided. At the completion of the trial period,

you will either be contacted by phone or visited to assess the placement. It is important to us that each dog is matched well with its new career/family so we are always available to talk to if you need us.

If you are still interested in adopting one of our dogs, please complete the application form and return it to Guide Dogs.

Blind Foundation

Guide Dogs

NAME …………………………………………………………………………………………...

ADDRESS…………………………………………………………………………………………...

TELEPHONE: Home……………………………. Work… ……………………………………….

Mobile……………………………….E-MAIL …………………………………………

DETAILS OF YOUR FAMILY (e.g. age of children)

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Is your section fully fenced? Yes / No
Please state materials and height.
Do you guarantee the dog will live inside as a member of the family? Where will the dog sleep?
Will the dog be left alone inside or outside?
If yes, for how long and how often?
Do all the adults in your family work full time/part time away from home? Please give details.
What type of area do you live in?
Suburban – Rural – City
Is anyone disabled or elderly in your home?
If yes, please advise details.
What are you or your family’s hobbies that would include the dog (daily routine, etc)?
Have you owned a dog previously?
If yes, what breed/s of dog/s
What is your experience with dogs?
Do you currently have a dog?
If yes, please advise;
Breed, Age, Sex
What other pets do you have at present?
Would you consider an elderly/retired dog?
State age range you would prefer.
Would you consider a dog requiring ongoing medical treatment?

The most common breeds used by Guide Dog Services are Labradors, Golden Retrievers and LabradorXGolden Retrievers, Standard Poodles and German Shepherds. On occasion we may have other breeds we also need to find homes for.

Please indicate if there are any breeds mentioned above you do not want us to contact you about. If you do not want a particular sex or other characteristic, please also indicate. (Please bear in mind that this could limit your chances of getting a dog sooner).

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Dogs may be career changed or retired for a number of reasons. These reasons can be normal for many pet dogs, but are not acceptable for a guide dog. Often these characteristics/medical conditions can be managed or reduced with additional medication or training.

Some of the more common behavioural conditions are:

Over awareness of noise or objects
Over distraction with other dogs or animals
Anxiety
Heightened excitability

Some of these conditions may require your support, and may also be helped with obedience or other training.

Some of the more common medical conditions are;

Hip or elbow dysplasia
Arthritis (elderly/retired dog)
Eye problems
Skin problems

Some of these conditions may require extra veterinary care, and in some cases require ongoing medical treatment – this can be costly.

Please advise the above conditions that will not be suitable for you, and you do not want us to contact you about.

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Any other comments/further information you wish us to know (please feel free to attach extra information or pages):

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I understand that the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind, Guide Dog Services, will keep my application active for two years. If I wish to continue to be considered for a career change /retired dog after that time I will contact Guide Dog Services to reapply.