Help Give Power To Guide Dogs In The Making

Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB)
Media Release
27 March 2009

Help Give Power To Guide Dogs In The Making

The RNZFB’s Red Puppy Appeal will be off to a paw-stomping start next week, running 3-5 April.

The appeal is all about giving “Power to the Puppies” so they can grow up to become life-changing guide dogs.

The RNZFB’s Executive Director Marketing and Fundraising Alison Wheatley says, “The Red Puppy Appeal is a really vital part of our year. We provide guide dogs to our members for free but guide dogs are made, not born and each one costs over $22, 500 to breed, raise, train and match to a blind person."

“We get no government funding for this essential service and we’re relying on the generosity of New Zealanders to raise over $1 million so we can continue to provide world-class guide dogs.”

Guide dogs mean freedom, independence and confidence for around 240 blind, deafblind and vision-impaired handlers across the country, and demand is increasing.

Look out for volunteers in bright red vests with Red Puppy Appeal collection buckets, from Friday 3 April to Sunday 5 April. You can also support the appeal by texting RED to 2450 to donate $3, or make an automatic $20 donation by calling 0900 RED PUPPY (733 787) For online donations, visit www.redpuppy.org.nz

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

• Images attached of a Red Puppy Appeal collection bucket and two guide dog puppies.

• The RNZFB gives blind, deafblind and vision-impaired people the skills to do everyday things, like getting from home to work, cooking dinner or surfing the net. Providing guide dogs is one of their many services.

• The RNZFB's specialist Guide Dog Services staff breed guide dog puppies, train them and then match them to a blind, deafblind or vision-impaired person.

• The RNZFB receives no government funding for Guide Dog Services.

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