Why we have to rehome some detector dogs
There are several reasons why we might have dogs available to rehome.
- They might have done their duty and are retiring.
- Perhaps they did not reach the high bar we set to become a detector dog.
- They may have a medical condition that stops them performing at their best.
The steps we follow when rehoming a dog
Before we offer any dog to the public for rehoming, we give some people the first right of refusal. That includes:
- the dog's handler
- the person who fostered the dog when it was a puppy (its puppy walker)
- dog care specialists
- staff of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
But sometimes no one in those groups can be found to adopt the dog. That's when we offer the dog to the public for rehoming.
Register your interest in rehoming a detector dog
If you are interested in being added to the register we use when searching for new homes, email detector.dog@mpi.govt.nz
We'll then send you an application form, which you will need to complete and return to us, along with pictures of your property.
If selected for a dog, we'll inspect your property and interview you. If you pass the inspection and interview, we'll give you a dog for a 2-week trial period to make sure that you and the dog are the right fit.
Related information
Find out about fostering a detector dog puppy and how to apply to be its walker
Follow MPI detector dogs on Facebook
