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About the program
Pet and Retired Dogs Program
Thanks for your interest in our program!
Our Guide Dogs and Assistance Dogs offer freedom and independence for people with low vision or blindness, or other specialised needs.
Our highly-skilled dogs can also take on careers as Facility Dogs, who are specially trained to provide emotional and physical support to individuals or communities in a range of environments, including schools, health care and the court system.
Each year, we have a small number of dogs ready for a ‘career change’. They may become pets or ‘retire’ from their working career. Sometimes, our reclassified dogs are available to members of the public for purchase.
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‘Pet & Retired Dog’ info sheet
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about our reclassified dogs
How old are the reclassified dogs that could be available for the general public?
This ranges from 5 months of age through to retiring dogs, which generally become available around 8 to 11 years of age.
What is the difference between ‘retired’ and ‘reclassified’ dogs?
While Guide Dogs play a life-changing role in supporting people with blindness and low vision, many of our dogs continue to offer the same safety, support and companionship after they change careers.
These dogs are called ‘retired dogs’, who have finished their time as working Guide Dogs, or ‘reclassified’, that are typically younger dogs in age and have training, health or behavioural concerns that mean they haven’t been able to proceed into Guide Dog training.
Are the reclassified dogs desexed?
Dogs at point of sale are desexed, microchipped, vaccinated, and on preventative treatments for heartworm, intestinal worms and fleas.
How much do the reclassified dogs cost to purchase?
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.
How long will I have to wait to get a reclassified dog?
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 for a reclassified dog?
Our dogs need a home where they will have plenty of human companionship
Due to demand, Guide Dogs SA/NT can only provide dogs to people living in South Australia.
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.
Our dogs are not used to being alone for more than four hours a day. If you do apply with the need or intention to leave them alone for longer than this time frame, a gradual training program will need to be put in place to increase their home alone time. The staff member rehoming will be able to guide you on the appropriate steps required.
Our dogs have been raised to be around people for the majority of the day and leaving them without human companionship or appropriate training/enrichment in place for long periods, may result in anxiety and destructive behaviours.
Is a reclassified dog the right fit for me and my family?
We choose the most compatible match for the dog and their prospective 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.
If you have any further questions, please contact our team via phone on 1800 757 738 or email support@guidedogs.org.au.
Join our Pet & Retired Dog waiting list
Please remember, joining the waitlist does not guarantee that you will be placed with a pet dog.
Please review our ‘Pet & Retired Dog Program’ info sheet and complete the form below to submit your enquiry.
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