Petbarn Albany gets behind national effort to fundraise $1 million for Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal

Albany Petbarn is encouraging pet lovers to donate to support the training of Seeing Eye Dogs by taking part in a nationwide appeal aiming to raise over $1 million to fund training for the dogs.

The 10th annual Petbarn Foundation Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal began on June 26 and sees Petbarn stores across Australia take donations towards funding the training of Seeing Eye Dogs through Vision Australia.

Since 2014, the appeal has raised $6.169m for Vision Australia and helped train 125 puppies for Australians who are blind or have low vision.

This year’s appeal aims to raise $1m which will fund the training of 20 puppies, with each dog’s training costing over $50,000.

The dogs are trained from the age of eight weeks and undergo expert training with a specialist instructor from 12 months old.

Donation cards of $3, $5 or $10 are available in-store, or donations can be made online.

Petbarn Albany store manager Kaysha Pepall said the store had already raised $1,800 and she was proud to help contribute to training the guide dogs.

“The amount of training that goes into the puppies is unbelievable. . . dogs are colourblind and for them to know the difference between a green and a red stop sign, it’s incredible,” Ms Pepall said.

“We get a couple (of Seeing Eye Dogs) coming into the store. . . we love when they come in, it’s amazing to see them actually working.”

Vision Australia estimates there are 453,000 people in Australia who are blind or have low vision, and this figure is expected to increase to 564,000 by 2030.

Vision Australia CEO Ron Hooton said the fundraiser is the biggest annual drive for funding the training of Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs.

“By donating, you’re not only helping us train and provide Seeing Eye Dogs to Aussies who need them, but you’re giving someone the gift of greater independence,” Mr Hooton said.

Donations to the Petbarn Foundation Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal can be made in-store, or online at: petbarn.com.au/seda