Petbarn Foundation's Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal runs till June 2

Australians urged to raise funds for The Petbarn Foundation’s Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal ... The Petbarn Foundation and Vision Australia Seeing...

Australians urged to raise funds for The Petbarn Foundation’s Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal ...

The Petbarn Foundation and Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs have partnered to encourage Aussies to lend a helping paw and raise much needed funds to assist people who are blind or have low vision.

Petbarn stores across Australia are accepting donations to the Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal from now until 2 June. The appeal aims to raise more than $600,000 to cover the costs of breeding, training, caring for puppies and matching Seeing Eye Dogs to as many people as possible.

Australians can show their support for this worthy cause by simply visiting their local Petbarn store or Greencross Vet Clinic and making a donation towards the appeal. Aussies can also make a contribution online by visiting www.petbarn.com.au/services/pet-foundation#donate.

Greencross Vet’s CEO, Simon Hickey says: “We are so excited to be supporting Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs again this year. At Petbarn and Greencross, we’re encouraging the Australian community to dig deep to help us reach our goal.”

“For the right person, the highly trained dogs allow Australians who are blind or have low vision to travel independently and navigate obstacles in a quicker and more efficient manner than they otherwise can with other mobility aides such as a white cane. They can also help alleviate the effects of social isolation and contribute to an all-round better quality of life,” Simon continues.

Over the last five years, through the support of Aussies across the country, The Petbarn Foundation’s Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal has raised a massive $2.7 million, enabling 60 Seeing Eye Dogs to be trained and matched to people who are blind or have low vision.

It costs more than $50,000 and takes up to two years to train a Seeing Eye Dog. Training begins when the dog is still a puppy and involves teaching them basic socialisation skills and obedience. On maturity, each dog receives up to six months of expert training with a specialised instructor.

David Speyer, General Manager of Seeing Eye Dogs says: “To breed, care for and train these special dogs, takes a lot of expertise, time, love, patience, and funding which may one day provide the gift of independence for people who are blind or have low vision.”

“Blindness and low vision can often cause people to lose confidence and impact their ability to get around safely. A Seeing Eye Dog provides our clients the ability to navigate independently with more ease and greater confidence,” David continues.

To launch the 2019 Seeing Eye Dog Appeal, super premium pet food brand ROYAL CANIN® is donating $50,000 to the Petbarn Foundation, which will go directly to the appeal. ROYAL CANIN® has been a supporter of the organisation for more than 10 years by providing precise and individualised nutrition to help ensure Seeing Eye Dogs and puppies-in-training are fit for their important work.

The Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal will take place across all Petbarn stores nationally from 1 May to 2 June 2019.

About Seeing Eye Dogs: 

Vision Australia is the leading national provider of blindness and low vision services and advocator for the blindness and low vision community. Our Seeing Eye Dogs provide people who are blind or have low vision with independence enabling them to live the life they choose. For more information, please visit: www.seeingeyedogs.org.au 

About the Petbarn Foundation:

Petbarn established the Petbarn Foundation in June 2012 to actively support pet welfare programs (including its Pet Adoption Centres) and its partner shelters through numerous fundraising activities. In Australia, over the last financial year the Petbarn Foundation has raised over $1 million dollars for local animal charities.

With a focus on enriching the lives of pets and the people who love them, the Foundation is built around a “Five R’s Philosophy”:
- Reduce the number of pets that are euthanised each year
- Rescue pets in crisis and encourage Australians to think of adoption first
- Rehabilitate pets with behavioural issues to ensure they can remain part of a loving family
- Responsible pet ownership
- Relieve some of the stresses, strains and hardships people face through the calming influence of pets For more information, please visit: www.petbarn.com.au/services/foundation/

MEDIA RELEASE, 9th May 2019