Career Change Adoption and Placement
Career Change Process
All dogs bred by Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) can go on to do wonderful things, whether by becoming a guide dog, breeder, or K9 Buddy; a service dog for another organization, or a beloved pet. They are wonderful ambassadors for the program and make friends throughout the world for themselves and for GDB. Dogs not chosen for careers as guide dogs, breeders, or K9 Buddies are career changed.
Medical Career Change
Some medical conditions prevent dogs from having a career as a breeder, guide dog, or K9 Buddy. Medical career change decisions are made by GDB veterinarians, most commonly at the time of recall. See Common Medical Career Change Conditions for more information.
Temperament/Behavior Career Change
Temperament and behavioral concerns may be identified during puppy raising or after recall. At all stages of development, GDB staff give dogs every chance to be successful, and will create behavior and training plans as needed. Persistent concerns that do not resolve can prevent dogs from having a career as a breeder, guide dog, or K9 Buddy.
If a dog has displayed threatening behavior toward people and/or other animals, the dog will be reviewed and assessed by the Canine Evaluation Committee.
Upon career change, GDB staff review each dog’s history and conduct in-person assessments as needed to determine if the dog is a candidate for a GDB strategic or community placement.
GDB Strategic and Community Placements of Career Change Dogs
GDB places career change dogs with a select number of nonprofit organizations that have been evaluated and screened by GDB (for more information, see Dog Placements with Nonprofit Organizations). These nonprofits primarily consist of service dog organizations but may also include other nonprofit organizations or agencies working with people who are blind or visually impaired (GDB Ambassador dogs working with Orientation and Mobility professionals or other allied professionals), canine search and rescue organizations, law enforcement, or other organizations or agencies that GDB believes enhance people’s lives.
When a dog is evaluated for and offered one of these roles, the puppy raiser is notified. Once placed into the role, if the dog is career changed within the first year, the dog is returned to GDB. After one year, the dog’s client can adopt or place the dog, or the dog may be returned to GDB. Dogs returned to GDB may be considered again for a strategic placement. If no match is found, the dog would be offered to the puppy raisers for adoption as outlined below.
Puppy Raiser Career Change Dog Adoption or Placement
If a dog is not a candidate for a GDB strategic or community placement, they are offered to the puppy raisers for adoption as a pet. The most recent puppy raiser has the first option to adopt the dog personally. If not, the previous raiser has the next choice to adopt the dog personally. The option to adopt personally continues with each previous raiser. If none of the dog’s puppy raisers wish to adopt the dog personally, each raiser (in the same order, starting with most recent), may consider placing the dog with a close friend or family member.
Example of a dog with four raisers:
Personal adoption as a pet -
- 4th raiser = 1st option
- 3rd raiser = 2nd option
- 2nd raiser = 3rd option
- 1st raiser = 4th option
If the raisers do not adopt personally, placing the dog with a close friend or family member can be an option in the same order -
- 4th raiser = 1st option
- 3rd raiser = 2nd option
- 2nd raiser = 3rd option
- 1st raiser = 4th option
If a dog has co-raising households with the same puppy raising timeframe, the Co-Raising Agreement is used to determine which household will have priority for personal adoption or placement.
GDB has the discretion to make exceptions to all dog placement guidelines in the best interest of the dog.
GDB takes great care and has years of experience in the placement of career change dogs. GDB has Dog Placement teams on both the California and Oregon campuses. The staff are professionals, trained to screen, select, and educate prospective adopters and homes. For more information, see GDB’s Dog Placement Program below.
The process for puppy raisers adopting a career change dog as a pet is as follows:
- GDB legally transfers the dog to the raiser/adopter after the Agreement Confirming Gift of Dog contract has been completed and signed.
- Any transportation costs are paid by the adopting raiser.
- With the exception of a small number of pre-approved cases, veterinary and all other expenses are the responsibility of the raiser.
- If at any time an adopter cannot keep a dog, the dog can be returned to GDB.
- If at any time in the dog's life it transfers to a new home, the adopter should complete a Supplemental Dog Transfer Form (included with the adoption packet) or notify GDB Puppy Raising via email.
When a puppy raiser has a close friend or family member interested in adopting their career change dog, the raiser will want to ensure that the dog’s placement will be the most successful for everyone involved. Potential adopters should understand the dog’s strengths and challenges, and the way the dog was raised in the GDB program. If a puppy raiser has any concerns about a placement, they are strongly encouraged to consider asking GDB’s expert Dog Placement team to arrange adoption instead. Puppy raisers are not allowed to require a fee to potential adopters for a career change dog.
GDB’s Dog Placement Program
The GDB Dog Placement team individually screens and selects homes for each career change dog. GDB receives countless inquiries each year from people interested in adopting a career change dog.
- Potential homes are screened to determine their suitability to adopt a career change dog, including a home visit/fence check.
- Potential adopters travel to GDB to meet the available dogs.
- Individual dogs are matched to individual homes.
- The Dog Placement team personally interviews applicants and introduces the dog to potential adopters.
- GDB charges an adoption fee of $2,000.
- GDB provides follow-up information to adopters including dog behavior resources and dog training references.
- GDB welcomes back any dog that is not compatible with the new home.
Members of the public express interest in adopting a GDB career change dog by completing an online application. Adoption is generally open only to those living in the same states in which GDB has active volunteers. After careful review, only those applicants who qualify are kept on file in GDB's database. For more information, visit the Dog Adoption page of this website.
The Dog Placement (DP) team has a lot of information on each dog: the puppy history; training and health information; and the reason for the dog's release from our programs. If relevant, those involved in the dog’s formal training GDB are also consulted for their first-hand knowledge of the dog. All this information gives the DP team a basic profile of the type of home and handler that would best match a particular dog (retired couple, family with young children, a home with or without other pets, an experienced dog person, etc.).
By searching the available applications in our database, GDB develops a list of potential matches. Then, considering the dog's strengths and weaknesses, DP staff reviews the applications and speaks to several potential adopters to find a home that seems best suited for a particular dog. Once they feel there is a possible match, the potential adopter is notified of an available dog. The dog is described in detail, ensuring the potential adopter understands the dog’s strengths and challenges.
If the potential adopter is interested, the individual and/or family meet the dog on campus. During this one-to-two-hour visit, DP staff discuss dog behavior and demonstrate training techniques/tools. GDB encourages the whole family to participate, especially if there are young children or other pet dogs in the household.
GDB’s primary goal in placing a dog is with a family or person who will provide a lifetime of love, care, and companionship. Since these dogs were raised to enjoy active involvement with their people, GDB encourages applications from those who want dogs for agility, obedience, tracking, pet facilitated therapy, or other disciplines and hobbies.
Returning a Career Change Dog to GDB
As with any reputable breeder, Guide Dogs for the Blind is responsible for the welfare of all our dogs and will gladly accept the return of any dog that was whelped or raised in our program. GDB will provide transportation for the dog's return, and that applies to dogs adopted by puppy raisers and clients, outside adopters, or other organizations.
If a volunteer ever has doubts about keeping a career change dog of their own or hears of any GDB dog adopter that is no longer able to care for their dog, for whatever reason, they are encouraged to notify GDB immediately.
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