About our Rehoming Program

From time to time, Stapell has dogs available for rehoming. For guide puppies released from the program, the specific demands of becoming a guide dog can be out of reach. 

For adult dogs working as a guide dog with a blind handler, they reach an age of retirement when the handler can no longer keep them as they await another guide dog. 

For our guide dogs in training, these dogs are still amazing in every way but they just don’t tick all the boxes. Some may be unmotivated to walk at an average pace for any clients on our waiting list. Some may be too energetic.

For our guide dogs retiring from the field, these dogs may be slowing down, not responding to a change in the handler's vision, showing signs of stiffness or becoming too much for an ageing handler.

Regardless of the reason, these dogs are purposely bred registered working lines from esteemed kennels with either a competition background or immense training.

All of our career-changed dogs come with a trial period. A rehoming package and initial training from our training staff can be included depending on location.

We do not keep a waiting list of rehoming customers. Dogs are rehomed to the best possible match as they become available. Your best bet is to send us an email at colony@stapell.au, requesting your details be kept and a little about what type of dog you’re looking for.

Once a home is identified, we set up an appointment with you to come and meet the pup or adult dog at our facility. If that meeting is successful and all paperwork has been completed, the dog becomes “ready for collection” on a trial basis (pending a home assessment with the dog) and can be delivered to your home or picked up at HQ after their rehoming application fee has been paid.

The dog will remain on a contractual trial for one-four weeks. Most of our dogs are rehomed for a standard $2500-$5000 rehoming fee, depending on the dog's age, breed, health and level of training. This is standard pricing among guide dog schools. All monies go directly toward our guide dog training program.

Unlike other organizations, Stapell provides a comprehensive rehoming package, similar to what a blind or vision-impaired person gets with a new guide dog placement. We love our dogs and want them to be very comfortable to transfer over to you. If they’re comfortable, you’ll love them too and it makes rehoming that much more successful.

Upon your invoice being settled and both you and the dog happy together, any certified pedigrees, microchip transfer documentation, medical history, certificates, genetics and bloodwork (if available) will all be transferred to you as the remainder of your rehoming package.

Suitable equipment (e.g. crates) are also available to purchase through Stapell when available and where appropriate for an additional cost. Stapell uses Pet Gear “The Other Door” crates imported from the USA. These crates are less “cagey” looking, fit into the furniture scheme more and have our dogs really enjoying crate time like never before. These can usually be ordered through PetStock. 

Stapell feeds a dry food diet. This diet can be purchased or included with your rehoming package. 

Current available dogs (or lesson horses) for rehoming will be listed below.