The South African Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind

The South African Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind is celebrating their Christmas with the 100th litter of puppies beginning their guide-dog journey.

Their journey is set to begin when they leave their puppy block and join their volunteer families who will help raise these little bundles of joy to raise them into the guide dogs needed to help someone who is visually impaired, a service dog for someone who is physically disabled or an autism support dog for a child diagnosed with autism.

Head of marketing at the association Nadia Sands said there are a number of costs involved with training the puppies, and is appealing to the community at large to assist in buying their R350 school bags as a means of fundraising.

The bag includes the puppies’ first blanket, first toy, collar and leash, food and supplements and their all-important puppy jackets among a number of other items.

“These special little ones have a big job ahead of them and it is only through your donations that their training start on the right paw to ensure that one day, they become a gift of freedom themselves,” said Sands.

“Puppy Pack donations are tax deductible and is a sure why of giving a gift of meaning and purpose this festive season. Puppy Packs are essential to start the training of our pups and your donation will help these pups grow into assistance dogs for visually impaired people, children on the autism spectrum or people struggling with physical disabilities.”

All donations toward our puppies this festive season are welcome and will be used to buy training essentials for this litter as well as litters expected next year.

“The association is working hard to create a country where every person with visual and physical disabilities can experience freedom and independence using an assistance dog. With your Puppy Pack donation this festive season, you ensure we can succeed in that mission,” Sands added.

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There is also Christmas merchandise that will make the perfect present, and proceeds also go toward training costs for the dogs. Another fundraising initiative under way at the association is their car raffle competition which closes on December 31.

The draw will take place next year on January 27 and community members are encouraged to get their tickets.

Details: www.guidedog.org.za or email: info@guidedog.org.za

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