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Finding a home
Homes for dogs retired or withdrawn from the programme
Guide dogs usually retire from work around 10 or 11 years of age. After this time the guide dog often remains with their owner, family or friends, but if this is not possible, Guide Dogs will rehome the dogs to new owners, where the dogs can enjoy their hard-earned retirement.
As with many dogs at this age, retired dogs will often be showing signs of age-related health conditions - such as arthritis. These potential issues must be borne in mind when considering rehoming a dog as these elderly dogs often require more frequent visits to the veterinary surgeon which can be costly and you would need to be able to access suitable transport to get the dog there. It is also important to recognise that retired guide dogs have spent most of their life in human company and may become distressed if left alone too frequently.
Sadly, sometimes dogs don't make the grade to become a guide dog. Once withdrawn from the training programme, they are assessed for their suitability for other approved assistance dog organisations or other working homes. These organisations will be able to utilise the skills the dogs have already learned, and provide the working lifestyle they have been brought up to fulfil. If this is not an option, the dogs are offered to their puppy walkers or are rehomed to members of the public.
Although they do not make it as guide dogs, these dogs can make wonderful pets. It must be remembered though, that they are all withdrawn from the programme for either a health, behaviour or temperament reason and normally require on-going health care or training. The majority of dogs for whom we need homes have complex needs, and these vary from case to case.
A health condition may well involve ongoing costs or a temperamental reason may require a knowledgeable home and the dog will come with recommendations for specific handling methods and advise to take the dog to obedience training classes or similar.
Guide Dogs strongly recommend that the rehomer of a dog arranges Public Liability Insurance cover, to protect themselves against their own liability for the actions of the dog and insurance cover for veterinary treatment.
Please note that there are waiting lists for these much sought after dogs and the majority of the dogs we re home have very specific homing needs.
If you would like more information, please contact the rehoming officer nearest to your home address.
