12:00a.m. 6th September 2008

Guide Dogs Queensland (GDQ) has a breeding centre full of adorable, talented puppies and urgently needs Sunshine Coast locals to help raise them. Photo: 178108

They are cute, cuddly, hard to resist and they need your help.

Guide Dogs Queensland (GDQ) has a breeding centre full of adorable, talented puppies and urgently needs Sunshine Coast locals to help raise them.

As part of the organisation’s Guide Dog Puppy Appeal this month, GDQ is calling for applicants to be volunteer puppy raisers and help train a future Guide Dog.

GDQ breeding manager Lauren Elgie said the Brisbane breeding centre had three litters of puppies including the “S” litter – seven yellow Labradors; the “T” Litter – nine gold Golden Retrievers and the “U” litter – six black and yellow Labradors.

“We have more than 20 beautiful puppies which will need placement into homes toward the end of this month,” Ms Elgie said.

“Pups stay on site until they are 10 weeks, when they go to live with families until 12 months of age. Our puppy raisers are critical to the success of our Guide Dogs so this job is not only special – it’s incredibly rewarding.”

Ms Elgie said the criteria was simple and included having ample time to spend with the puppy, a secure yard and if children were in the home, they needed to be over five years of age.

“Guide Dogs Queensland is in a real growth phase and is preparing for future demand for Guide Dogs by breeding more puppies for the program” she said.

“The ageing population means more Queenslanders will need Guide Dogs. It’s only through the support of volunteer puppy raisers and donations that we can continue to produce these amazing canines.”

Applicants can contact 1800 810 122 or go to www.guidedogsqld.com.au

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