Not all dogs born and entering our training programmes qualify as guide or assistance dogs.  We are fortunate enough to enjoy an 88% success rate, however, from time to time, we need to rehome dogs that have been withdrawn from training or retired from working life. 

If you believe you have room in your life for a quality dog as a pet, applying for one of our rehomed dogs could work for you. 

Much of our time and resources are invested in our dogs. We are passionate about dogs and committed to ensuring their proper care.  For this reason, we have implemented an application process for our rehomed dogs.  

The application process

The applications process has four steps, as follows:

1. Interested parties need to complete our application form.
2. Each application is reviewed and the applicant is interviewed by telephone.
3. Upon approval, a home visit may be carried out to get an understanding of the dog's potential new home.
4. Each dog is assessed and through consultation, carefully matched to the most suitable applicant. Once a match is agreed with an applicant, you will be asked to come to the Training Centre to meet the dog, sign a contract and to pay the rehoming fee.

The rehoming fee

All the dogs rehomed by our organisation are neutered, fully vaccinated, flea treated and micro chipped.  Once rehomed, all costs related to caring for your new pet are borne by you.

Dogs available for rehoming:

Dogs withdrawn from Training (€1,000):

The majority of our dogs withdrawn from training are aged between 12 - 15 months of age.  They are young active dogs that require regular exercise and human company. The dogs will not have received their full training and therefore, you should not expect the dog to be as obedient and trained as a qualified dog.  These dogs have been withdrawn for a reason which will be explained to you when a dog is offered.  Very occasionally, puppies are withdrawn from the puppy walking scheme. These could be aged from 2 to 12 months.

Retired guide or assistance dogs (donation appreciated):

Retired dogs are usually eight years old but may be as old as 12 years or more and have been retired after completing a full working life.  It is important that the homes found for these dogs are loving and understanding, as a retired dog deserves a quiet, peaceful retirement after working for many years. These dogs have spent their entire life in human company and they can become very distressed and even destructive if left alone frequently. Rehoming a retired guide or assistance dog can be very rewarding but it is also very important to realise that they will have more health problems and need more veterinary care than a younger dog.

Rehoming terms and conditions

• The dog must be allowed to live in your home by day and night.
• Your garden must be fully enclosed and escape proof.
• There needs to be someone at home for the majority of the day.
• If you have children, they need to be over 5 years of age.
• If you are a keen gardener, or particularly house proud, our dogs will not suit you.
• The entire family must be certain they want a new dog.
• You need to be ready to take on your new dog as soon as a match has been agreed.
• The rehomed dog supplied will have been neutered, fully vaccinated, flea treated and micro-chipped. All costs related to caring for the rehomed dog is borne by the new owner once the dog has been rehomed. This includes routine veterinary care (worming, annual boosters) and non-routine / emergency veterinary care.

The waiting list

We manage applications for rehomed dogs on a waiting list basis as dogs are not available all year round. Applications are kept on file until such time a suitable match is found.  If you would like your application withdrawn, you will need to notify us by sending an e-mail to info@guidedogs.ie or alternatively, by sending a  letter to: Early Training Unit - Rehoming, Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, National Headquarters & Training Centre, Model Farm Road, Cork.

Please complete the application form to join our list to rehome a dog by clicking here.

For more information, contact us lo-call 1850 506 300 or e-mail info@guidedogs.ie