Overview
Do you live in a dog-friendly house? Do you have some spare time on your hands? Do you fantasise about hanging around at dog parks with an actual dog? If the answer to any of these questions is yes — and especially if the answer to all of them is yes coming into Christmas — then the good folks at Vision Australia's Seeing Eye Dogs need you.
As part of the organisation's dog-training program, it has puppies running around the place quite often, and it's in need of volunteers to raise them. That includes right now, with 45 pooches requiring homes before the merriest day of the year.
In other words, Vision Australia is giving away puppies — although you will need to give them back. If you put up your hand to become a puppy carer, you'll get a puppy for about a year, from around its eight-week birthday to when it turns turns between 12–15 months old. During that time, you'll be responsible for introducing the sights, sounds and smells it'll meet when it starts working as a seeing eye dog (and giving your new friend heaps of cuddles).
Of course, it's not all just fun, games and cuteness. You'll have to be responsible enough to take care of regular grooming, house training and exercise, and be available for regular visits. A fenced-in backyard is mandatory, too. In return, the organisation provides a strong support network, and all food, training equipment and vet care.
You'll also need to be home most of the time — so you won't be leaving the puppy alone for more than three hours a day, sat in front of Dog TV — and to be able to put effort into training and socialising the pup.
Seeing Eye Dogs Australia is looking for people across the majority of local government areas across metropolitan Melbourne, as well as Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat.
In Queensland, Brisbane's north and Sunshine Coast areas are the current priorities.
Once the pups reach 12-15 months old, they'll return to Vision Australia — and complete their journey to become four-legged companions for people who are blind or have low vision.
Keen to help? You can apply online right now. If you're eager but can't commit to the full year, there's also a six-month caring option. Or, for workplaces, there's corporate caring, too.
For more information about Seeing Eye Dogs Australia's puppy carers, and to apply for the volunteer roles, head to the organisation's website.
Top image: Nicola Cotton.