Volunteer Puppy Raiser
Puppy raisers do more than open their homes—they open their hearts. Our volunteer puppy raisers share their worlds with curious pups and raise hope for the people who need our dogs. Take a glimpse into the magical journey of puppy raising where destinies begin and love grows.
Your mission as a puppy raiser is simple.
Take home a cuddly bundle of joy and bring back a happy, socialized, well-mannered dog. That’s the magic of making a difference. We’ll support your puppy-raising adventure from start to finish—no matter where you live in the United States.
Raise a Puppy, Change a Life.
The joys of puppy raising are endless, but the time commitment doesn’t have to be. Become a puppy raiser for 3, 6, or 12 months. Bring home a pup as young as 8 weeks—and choose the timeline that fits your life. With the support of fellow raisers near and far, you’ll teach, guide, and open your heart as they begin the journey they were born for.
- Raise solo: You got this! Raise a puppy.
- Co-raise: Pick your co-raiser, or we can pair you with someone to share the joy.
- Team raise: Coworkers, classmates, and neighbors—form your team!
Your Commitment
- Must be at least 18 years old. If you are between 15-17 years old, you may apply if an adult in your household is willing to co-sign your application.
- Capable of providing love and essentials. You will be responsible for food for the duration you have the puppy.
- Able to take a puppy in your home within the next 2-4 months.
- Willing to use video conferencing technology for virtual check-ins.
- Committed to keeping up with emails and updates.
- Can physically manage a large breed dog.
- Have a safe, supportive home where puppy raising is allowed by your housing community and embraced by everyone in your household.
Our Commitment
You are not alone. We are here to support you in the following ways:
- Provide a starter kit with essentials like a leash, collar, initial food, and a crate.
- We cover 100% of pre-approved vet costs and provide monthly heartworm and parasite preventatives.
- After placement, we offer a 6-week Puppy Kindergarten course covering foundational skills, where you will have ongoing touchpoints to help support you during the start of this journey.
- Monthly in-person or virtual classes to help you throughout the time you have the puppy.
- In-person or virtual sessions with a certified Dogs Inc advisor to ensure puppy is making the appropriate progress.
- Local clubs will organize group outings to socialize puppies in real-world environments—think hardware stores, shopping centers, or airports.
Ready to Get Started?
Puppy Raising Application
Not quite ready to commit?
Perhaps start with puppy sitting.
“Watching a puppy you raised go on to guide a person with visual impairments, giving them the independence they want, need, and deserve, is an awesome experience.”
— John Bauer, puppy raiser, club leader, donor, and longtime friend of Dogs Inc
Got questions? Find more answers here.
Puppy Raisers Q&A
What breeds do you use for your dogs?
Can I raise a puppy if I already have dogs?
What are the steps of the puppy raiser application process?
How long does the puppy raiser application process take?
Got questions? Find more answers here.
What are the steps of the puppy raiser application process?
