Blind Low Vision NZ and Youngshand launch ‘Doggy Doonations’ to fund guide dog training

Blind Low Vision NZ has turned to product development with Doggy Doonations, boxes of doggy poop bags sold to raise funds.

The goal is to support the training of more guide dogs for New Zealanders who are blind, deafblind or vision-impaired.

Blind Low Vision NZ head of fundraising Bernadette Murphy says: “It costs more than $50,000 to raise, develop and train a single guide dog.

“As New Zealand’s vision needs increase, we need to train more pups to give Kiwis with vision loss true freedom and independence.

“Doggy Doonations is a fun, relevant way to target an audience we know has a built-in affinity to the cause – dog lovers. The demand from vets, dog groups and animal fans has already been phenomenal,” says Murphy.

Youngshand (YS) Chief Strategy Officer Sue Kipling says: “The charity landscape is changing. No longer can we just rely solely on emotive calls to action, especially in tight times like these.

“Doggy Doonations is a true value exchange, meeting a real need so we can also meet the very real need of Blind Low Vision NZ. It cuts through all the doom and gloom we are exposed to these days, and might even offer a little hope and a smile too.”

YS Chief Creative Officer Corey Chalmers continues: “It’s been a lot of fun creating a product for Blind Low Vision NZ.

“It’s also lovingly brought to life in an insanely short amount of time by our friends at AO Studios and Think Packaging – 7 weeks from presentation to launching. It was a true, always enjoyable collaboration with our friends at Blind Low Vision NZ. I love this idea. And I’m a cat guy.”

The integrated campaign launched on April 4 across outdoor, social, digital, online, VOD and vet clinics nationwide.