Public Adoption

Every Guiding Eyes dog is valued and ultimately, finds its place in the world, whether as a highly trained guide dog, another type of service dog, or a loving family pet.  Guiding Eyes offers a highly successful dog adoption program where dogs can be adopted as pets as puppies (8-12 weeks old) or as young adults (16-24 months old).  Occasionally, we also have a limited number of adult dogs who have been retired as guides or breeding dogs and are in need of a permanent, loving home.

Every applicant wishing to adopt a released dog is screened thoroughly and if accepted, placed on a waiting list based on the date of their initial application.  The average wait time to adopt a puppy is 12-18 months.  The average wait time to adopt an adult dog is several years.  In addition, the cost to adopt one of our dogs ranges from $1,100 – 2,000.

Guiding Eyes is committed to making sure every dog placed into our Public Adoption program is matched appropriately with the right adopter.

Experienced staff create the perfect match by evaluating the temperament and health of the dog and review the profile of the adopter.  Once a potential match is identified, the adopter is invited to come in and meet the dog and, if there is mutual agreement that a match exists, the release agreement is signed & adoption finalized.

One year after adoption and each year thereafter, we ask that Released Dog Adopters fill out an Adopters Health Survey for the dog adopted from us.

Occasionally, there are instances when an adopted dog cannot remain with the adopter for some reason.  Under the terms of the adoption agreement, adopters of a Guiding Eyes released dog cannot place the dog with someone else without notifying Guiding Eyes and receiving written approval.

If you are interested in adopting a puppy, please fill out a Released Puppy Application. If interested in adopting a young adult dog, pleased contact the Manager, Released/Retired Dog Program and an application packet will be sent to you.  If you have already filled out an application and would like to learn its status, please call 845-230-6429.