1. What kind of breeding dogs are available to foster?
2. How old are the breeding dogs?
3. Are the dogs trained?
4. Do I have to live close to the Canine Development Center to be a foster?
5. What training will I receive as a foster?
6. What equipment do I need to be a foster?
7. Does the foster own the breeding dog?
8. What are the main responsibilities of brood/stud fosters?
9. What kind of healthcare is involved?
10. How much daily exercise is required for the dog?
11. Does the dog always have to be kept on a leash?
12. How often will I have to bring the dog to the CDC?
13. May I visit the dog at the Canine Development Center?
14. How often will the dog be bred?
15. What do I do with the dog when I go on vacation?
16. How long will the dog continue to be bred?
17. What happens to the dog after his or her breeding career ends?
18. How do I become a brood or stud foster?
19. Can there be other pets in the house?
20. Can Guiding Eyes ask me to return the dog I am fostering?

1. What kind of breeding dogs are available to foster?

Our breeding dogs consist of mostly black & yellow Labrador Retrievers. Occasionally, we have Golden Retrievers or German Shepherds available.

2. How old are the breeding dogs?

When the dogs join our breeding program, they are usually 18-24 months old.

3. Are the dogs trained?

The dogs are housebroken and have had basic obedience training. They have not had guide dog training.

4. Do I have to live close to the Canine Development Center to be a foster?

Fosters of broods must live within 1 1/2 hours travel time and fosters of studs must live within 1 hour travel time to the Canine Development Center in Patterson, NY.

5. What training will I receive as a foster?

Potential fosters receive pre-training classes in dog handling and healthcare before bringing a dog home, additional classes after taking the dog home, and quarterly follow-ups on a continuing basis.

6. What equipment do I need to be a foster?

Before taking a dog home, a foster must have a dog crate, special leash with a snap at each end (purchased through Guiding Eyes for the Blind), brush and flea comb, stainless steel food and water bowls, nail clippers, canine toothbrush and toothpaste, thermometer, approved toys, and quality dog food. Please look at the Recommended Equipment List for more details.

7. Does the foster own the breeding dog?

Although the dog lives with the foster, ownership is retained by Guiding Eyes for the Blind.

8. What are the main responsibilities of brood/stud fosters?

Fosters must keep the dog healthy, fit (walk 3 miles a day rain or shine), safe, and make them available to Guiding Eyes for the Blind when needed for breeding or assessments. Fosters must make every effort to ensure the safety of the dog; however, fosters are not financially responsible in the event of accidental injury to or death of the dog.

9. What kind of healthcare is involved?

Fosters must keep their dogs free of fleas, ticks, and other parasites. Every week, they must brush their dog’s teeth, clip their nails, and clean their ears. Fosters are responsible for reporting any illness or health problem to the Guiding Eyes for the Blind veterinarians. Dogs must be transported to Guiding Eyes for the Blind for all vet care, and fosters must administer any prescribed drugs, and follow up on the vet’s recommendations.

10. How much daily exercise is required for the dog?

Fosters must walk or run their dogs at least 3 miles per day, every day. This exercise may be broken up into 2 or 3 shorter walks or runs, as long as it totals 3 miles per day.

11. Does the dog always have to be kept on a leash?

All Guiding Eyes for the Blind dogs must be on a leash when outside the house, unless they are in a fenced or enclosed area and supervised by an adult at all times.

12. How often will I have to bring the dog to the CDC?

Both broods and studs must come to the Canine Development Center for quarterly assessments, for the annual Eye Clinic, and for all veterinary services.

Broods must reside in the Breeding Kennel while in heat (about 3 weeks), and stay in the Whelping Kennel from the time the pups are born until they are weaned (about 6 weeks). Broods also come to the Canine Development Center for an ultrasound examination halfway through their pregnancies.

Studs come to the Breeding Kennel whenever they are needed for breeding. The length of stay usually depends on the flexibility of the foster’s schedule. A stud’s stay can vary from a half hour to three days. Each stud’s breeding schedule will be different, but the foster should be prepared for as many as 30 trips a year if their dog is needed. Also, studs must come to the Breeding Kennel periodically to have their sperm collected and frozen. This is typically done early in the day to allow the Cryogenics Department time to process the semen and freeze it.

13. May I visit the dog at the Canine Development Center?

Yes. Please call the Breeding Kennel or Whelping Kennel in advance to set up an appointment to visit your dog.

14. How often will the dog be bred?

Females are bred once or twice per year, depending on their heat cycles. Males are bred throughout the year, whenever needed.

15. What do I do with the dog when I go on vacation?

Foster families sit for each other. Breeding dogs may not be left in a commercial kennel.

16. How long will the dog continue to be bred?

The length of a dog’s breeding career varies widely, depending on the dog’s health and fitness, and the success rate of the puppies. Females may be bred through age 8. There is no set retirement age for males.

17. What happens to the dog after his or her breeding career ends?

After retirement, the foster may adopt the dog if they have been a foster in good standing and fostered the dog at least 12 months. See Release/Retirement for additional information.

18. How do I become a brood or stud foster?

You can download and complete an application online. See Become a Foster for additional information. You will be contacted by our Brood/Stud Foster Coordinator, and scheduled for an orientation.

19. Can there be other pets in the house?

Yes, if the animal is friendly and up-to-date on its vaccinations. The Brood/Stud Manager can provide additional guidance.

20. Can Guiding Eyes ask me to return the dog I am fostering?

In rare circumstances, when the needs of the program are not being met and efforts to work with the foster have been unsuccessful, Guiding Eyes will terminate the foster relationship and remove the Guiding Eyes for the Blind dog from the foster home. See Re-Homing at the end of Ongoing Responsibilities for more information.