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?
The good folk at Vision Australia need you. As part of the organisation's seeing eye dog program, they have puppies running around the place quite often, and they're in need of volunteers to raise them. In other words, they're giving away puppies — but 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.
Vision Australia is looking for people in a few of Melbourne spots: in the east to the Yarra Ranges; in the southeast to Portsea; and in Kensington, Flemington, North Melbourne, Ascot Vale and West Melbourne. They're also looking in the Bendigo and Geelong regions, too.
In Queensland, the north Brisbane 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? You can apply online right now.
For more information about Vision Australia's puppy carers, and to apply for the volunteer roles, head to the organisation's website.