Do you live in Melbourne or Greater Geelong, have a secure yard, and a lot of love to give? Do you want to give back to your community while increasing your daily dosage of cute? An animal lover but can't commit to a pet for their lifetime?
We want you to foster our newest and most adorable recruits.
The Australian Border Force's (ABF) National Detector Dog Program facility will soon be filled with the pitter patter of little paws, with 70 puppies expected before December.
With so many wagging tails just around the corner, we are urgently calling for new foster carers to open their hearts and homes to these future detector dogs.
The ABF provides equipment, covers all food and veterinary care, as well as foster carer education and a 24/7 support service. And if you've got a holiday planned, ABF will even take care of the pup while you're away.
ABF Commander David Coyles said foster carer involvement is a crucial part of developing a successful detector dog and a way the community can contribute to the security of our nation.
"The dogs need to experience a variety of different places, people, noises and walking surfaces to be confident in the many areas they may one day work in," Commander Coyles said.
"Socialising the dogs through exposure to shopping centres, schools, sporting venues, train stations, playgrounds and travelling in cars helps to prepare them for busy airports, ships, luggage conveyor belts, and large events.
"Our foster carer program is a great example of partnerships that we seek day in day out with the communities we serve and protect and which our officers are themselves a part of."
If you live in Melbourne or Greater Geelong, all you need is a safe and secure yard, be able to walk the pup once a day, willing to socialise the pup and available to attend the facility three times during the 12-month period for pup training sessions.
Worried about saying goodbye after 12 months? Simple, foster another!
Go to Foster A Detector Dog to apply now.
