Mainpaper News Story:
Petbarn Port Macquarie are accepting donations to the Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal from today until 2 June.
The appeal aims to raise more than $600,000 to cover the costs of breeding, training, caring for puppies and matching Seeing Eye Dogs to as many people as possible.
Residents can show their support for this worthy cause by simply visiting their local Petbarn store in Port Macquarie-Hastings and making a donation towards the appeal. Locals can also make a contribution online by visiting https://www.petbarn.com.au/services/pet-foundation#donate.
Local Petbarn Port Macquarie Store Manager, Sarah Rogers says: “We are so excited to be supporting Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs again this year. At Petbarn Port Macquarie we’re encouraging the local community to dig deep to help us reach our goal.”
“For the right person, the highly trained dogs allow Australians who are blind or have low vision to travel independently and navigate obstacles in a quicker and more efficient manner than they otherwise can with other mobility aides such as a white cane. They can also help alleviate the effects of social isolation and contribute to an all-round better quality of life,” Sarah continues.
Over the last five years, through the support of the Port Macquarie-Hastings community and across the country, The Petbarn Foundation’s Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal has raised a massive $2.7 million, enabling 60 Seeing Eye Dogs to be trained and matched to people who are blind or have low vision.
It costs more than $50,000 and takes up to two years to train a Seeing Eye Dog. Training begins when the dog is still a puppy and involves teaching them basic socialisation skills and obedience. On maturity, each dog receives up to six months of expert training with a specialised instructor.
David Speyer, General Manager of Seeing Eye Dogs says: “To breed, care for and train these special dogs, takes a lot of expertise, time, love, patience, and funding which may one day provide the gift of independence for people who are blind or have low vision.”
“Blindness and low vision can often cause people to lose confidence and impact their ability to get around safely. A Seeing Eye Dog provides our clients the ability to navigate independently with more ease and greater confidence,” David continues.
To launch the 2019 Seeing Eye Dog Appeal, super premium pet food brand ROYAL CANIN® is donating $50,000 to the Petbarn Foundation, which will go directly to the appeal. ROYAL CANIN® has been a supporter of the organisation for more than 10 years by providing precise and individualised nutrition to help ensure Seeing Eye Dogs and puppies-in-training are fit for their important work.
The Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal will take place across all Petbarn stores nationally from 1 May to 2 June 2019.
To find out more or to donate, visit www.petbarn.com.au or www.seeingeyedogs.org.au or contact Petbarn Port Macquarie at Port Home Zone, 160 Hastings River Drive, Tel: 6583 9241
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