Key Takeaways
- New Year "K" Litter: Following tradition, the litter features eight pups named with the letter "K" (Kit, Kirby, Kira, Kendra, Kendall, Kakadu, Kaiser, and Kiki) and one sponsored pup named Charlie.
- Structured Training Roadmap: The puppies follow a strict path: six weeks with Home Whelpers, one year with volunteer Puppy Raisers, and a final year of formal training at the Guide Dogs Centre.
- High Training Costs: It takes over $50,000 and two years to fully train one Guide Dog, making community donations essential.
- Call for Volunteers: Guide Dogs NSW/ACT is currently seeking new Puppy Raisers across New South Wales and support for their Summer Appeal.
Born on New Year’s Day, nine Labrador puppies is the first Guide Dogs NSW/ACT litter for 2026.
Guide Dogs recently shared sneak peaks of the five female and four male pups born to mum Lena.
In keeping with Guide Dogs tradition, the litter has been given names starting with the same letter. Lena’s New Year babies are Kit, Kirby, Kira, Kendra, Kendall, Kakadu, Kaiser and Kiki, alongside Charlie, who carries a special name as a sponsored puppy.
‘It marks the beginning of another year of raising and training incredible dogs who will go on to change lives in our community,’ said Guide Dogs NSW/ACT Whelping Adviser Rachael Jones. She notes that welcoming the first litter of the year is particularly special.
After spending their first six weeks with Lena under the care of volunteer Home Whelpers, the puppies will begin their two-year journey to becoming Guide Dogs. This includes a year living with volunteer Puppy Raisers, followed by formal training at the Guide Dogs Centre.
Each dog takes more than two years and over $50,000 to raise and train, relying heavily on community support. Guide Dogs NSW/ACT is encouraging donations to its Summer Appeal and calling for new Puppy Raising volunteers across New South Wales.
