Guide Dogs Adoption Program
Give a loving home to our dogs who have retired from working life or those who haven't completed their formal training.
Please note, this program is not currently accepting applications.
About the program
Adopt a career change dog
Thank you for your interest in providing a loving home for one of our dogs. Unfortunately, this program is at capacity and we are not currently taking applications.
Our Guide Dogs and Assistance Dogs offer freedom and independence for people with low vision, blindness, and other specialised needs.
Each year, we have a small number of dogs ready for a ‘career change’ and they may be available for purchase.
Retired and Reclassified Dogs
Learn more about our dogs.
The dogs in this program range from 5 months of age through to retiring dogs, which generally become available around 8 to 11 years of age.
A ‘retired dog’ has finished their time as a working dog. A ‘reclassified’ dog is typically younger and has training, health or behavioural concerns that mean they haven’t been able to proceed into formal training.
Dogs in the program are desexed, microchipped, vaccinated, and on preventative treatments for heartworm, intestinal worms and fleas.
Costs vary depending on the age of the dog, how much training the dog has received to date, and if there are any health issues or on-going care required. If you choose to purchase one of our ‘career change’ dogs, payment is made before the trial period and a full refund occurs if you choose not to purchase the dog after this period.
When a dog becomes available, the entire waiting list is examined to find the best possible match between the dog and the applicant. The applicant’s lifestyle, location, experience and special skills will be considered when making matches. This is particularly important for dogs that have special needs. Clients and their families are given the first option to retain their retiring working dog, sometimes choosing to keep them as a pet in the home they know. If they don’t, the best match for a successful relationship between the dog and an applicant becomes our priority, there is no number order with applications.
Please remember, supply fluctuates and demand is high, so waiting times can be lengthy.
Who can apply?
We choose the most compatible match for the dog and their new family.
We only place our dogs in a home where they will have plenty of human companionship, this includes living and sleeping inside as part of the family.
A ‘meet and greet’ opportunity will be provided before purchasing the reclassified dog, where our rehoming staff member will bring the dog either to your home or to a mutually agreed upon location. During this ‘meet and greet’, you will get to interact with the dog, go for a walk together, and ask our staff any questions you may have.
Please be aware that when rehoming a dog, we aim to do multiple ‘meet and greets’ to ensure we choose the most compatible match for the dog and their prospective family.
Our Guide Dogs Adoption Program is currently at capacity and not accepting new applications.
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