Dog Transportation Reimbursement

• Puppy clubs are encouraged to consider, and/or continue, using club funds to support the cost of puppy and dog transportation.
• Transportation of Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) puppies and recall dogs will be prioritized for puppy truck travel, if available. 
• Dog transportation expense reimbursement is available for:
  • Transportation to a GDB campus or to meet the GDB puppy truck for recall, puppy delivery, or transfer if the travel requires airfare, or if a volunteer drives from 200 miles or further, one way.
• If a puppy truck is not available and volunteers need to drive, GDB may offer to meet them at a determined location to reduce volunteer travel.
• Puppy truck travel will be limited in length of time for each dog or puppy traveling and will be adjusted for the needs of the animals on board for each trip.

This reimbursement is intended to cover some, but not all, of the transportation costs incurred by puppy raising volunteers, which can include airfare, lodging, mileage, and meals.

Travel Involving Airfare

• If airfare is included in the transportation of a dog, puppy, or both, a stipend of up to $650 will be available after the travel is completed.
• Volunteers are encouraged to purchase one-way tickets for recall dogs with United or Alaska (air carriers that accept recall-age guide dog puppies in jacket) and are encouraged to purchase a different airline of their choice for the return flight home if that is more cost effective, and they do not have a guide dog puppy with them.
• If a youth is one of the primary puppy raisers of a dog or puppy, a second stipend of up to the same amount will be approved for a parent or guardian to accompany them on the trip.

Travel Involving Driving (from 200 miles or further, one way, to the puppy truck or to a GDB campus)

• A stipend of up to $350 will be available after the travel is completed.
• Puppy raising field managers (PFMs) can request approval for amounts above these stipends based on individual circumstances.
• It is not the intention of this policy to encourage puppy raising volunteers to replace puppy truck access by traveling long distances over multiple days with more than one dog or puppy in a vehicle. If a trip of this nature is being considered, it will require PFM approval prior to planning. Air travel, while perhaps sometimes costing a bit more, involves travel of a much shorter duration, and will be preferable in most cases.

• Each time dog or puppy transportation is completed, the volunteer responsible for the transportation will complete the reimbursement form if needed. This reimbursement will be reviewed by the PFM, and a check will be issued via USPS.
• Form available on the Forms and Resources page of the Puppy Raising Community.
• If you have any questions about this policy, please contact your PFM.