A Few Facts…
- Blind Low Vision NZ’s Guide Dog service is one of the key ways people with vision loss are free to live the lives they choose with independence and safety.
- More than just a way to get around. Anyone who relies on one will agree that a guide dog is also a loyal, devoted friend and family member.
- Blind Low Vision NZ is the only organization that trains and breeds guide dogs for New Zealanders with vision loss, yet, we receive no government funding for this.
- There are currently 180,000 New Zealanders who are blind, deafblind or have low vision. It’s estimated this number will increase to 225,000 by 2028.
The anticipated increased demand over the coming years will extend this waiting time unless more dogs can be successfully trained as guide dogs.
But did you know it costs around $175,000 to raise, train, and keep a guide dog in service? takes ?
Charged with making what could potentially be life or death decisions on behalf of their handlers, our dogs have to learn some very smart skills and pass strict criteria. This requires rigorous training and support that continues long after graduation.
Paws for Purpose is a fun and creative way to raise these much-needed funds and make the world a more beautiful place in the process!
What is Paws for Purpose?
You may be be familiar with our life-sized dog coin collection boxes (also known as Trudy Dogs). As a result of our increasingly cashless society, and with retail space at a premium, many of our coin collection sites prefer smaller counter-top boxes, (which now also have QR codes). Our Trudy Dogs are now, sadly obsolete.
In 2023, we tasked some of Auckland’s most talented artists with turning these iconic pieces of Kiwiana into one-of -a kind works of art.
And they did not disappoint! Soon, our Paws for Purpose Art Dogs were on display at venues around the city. We then found them all permanent homes with the lucky winners of our Paws for Purpose Online Art Auction.
And we raised almost $70,000 in the process!
And we’re doing it again in 2024!
This time, in Ōtautahi, Christchurch!
Already, a selection of our most creative Cantabrians have taken delivery of their Trudy Dogs and are working hard to transform each one into a unique, collectible work of art.
This June and July, you’ll be seeing more dogs than usual around Christchurch, as the completed Paws for Purpose Art Dogs go on display at some of your favourite city hotspots.
Best of all, YOU will have the opportunity to adopt your own Paws for Pupose Trudy Dog in the Paws for Purpose Online Auction! All proceeds go toward the raising, breeding, and training of future generations of Blind Low Vision NZ Guide Dogs who will serve our growing community of blind, deafblind, and low vision Kiwis.
You can view these dogs at locations in and around Ōtautahi Christchurch.
Drop by one of the venues listed, get up close and personal with one of these magnificent works of art. Take a selfie, place a bid in our online auction on our auction website ,or simply make a donation via our QR code.
Live Auction at the Tannery
Five of our dogs on display are so special, we’ve reserved them for a live auction on Wednesday 21st August 2024. This will be your opportunity to see all the Paws for Purpose dogs on display, as well as enjoy a night of entertainment as our Live Five go under the hammer.
Ticket details coming soon.
We’re in the process of adding a location map for easier navigation. Thank you for your patience.
Paws for Purpose Christchurch Locations
Dog Artwork Name |
Display Location |
Address | ||||
| 1. Palette Pup | Blind Low Vision NZ (Zoetis at NZVA Conference 18-21 June) | 96 Bristol Street, St Albans, Christchurch 8014
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| 2. Minzi | Ray White Marshland | Unit 2 420 Marshland Road, Marshland, Christchurch 8083
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| 3. Rowdy | Ray White Ferrymead | 21 Humphreys Drive, Ferrymead, Christchurch 8081
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| 4. Diesel | Ballantynes Department Store | 130 Cashel Street, Central City, Christchurch 8011
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5. Lulu the Luminous
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Brannigans |
60 Cashel Street, Central City, Christchurch 8013 | ||||
| 6. Watch Dog | Ferrymead Heritage Park | 50 Ferrymead Park Drive, Ferrymead, Christchurch 8022
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| 7. Bruce | Ça Bouge Boutique | 31 Rue Lavaud, Akaroa 7520
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| 8. All My Friends | Kaiapoi Library and Service Centre | 176 Williams Street, Kaiapoi 7630
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| 9. Tru Treasure | The Common Café & Garden Bar | 65 Rue Lavaud, Akaroa 7520
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| 10. Give a Dog a Cone (Live auction only) | Ray White Metro | 76 Hereford Street, Central City, Christchurch 8011
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| 11. Asiasi (Live auction only) | Westfield Riccarton | 129 Riccarton Road, Riccarton, Christchurch 8041
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| 12. Paws in the Park | Christchurch Gondola | 10 Bridle Path Road, Heathcote Valley 8022, Christchurch
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| 13. Flora | Black Cat Cruises Akaroa | |||||
| 14. Sol Shines on Luna Shadows | Ray White Church Corner | Cnr Riccarton & Waimairi Roads, Upper Riccarton 8041
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| 15. Sirius | Ray White Rangiora | Level 1 188 High Street, Rangiora 7440
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| 16. GD-D2 | Oxford Library and Service Centre | 34 Main Street, Oxford 7430
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| 17. Guardian of Love | Down by the Liffey Gallery | 1 James Street, Lincoln 7608
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| 18. Pooch in Pūriri Cloak | Christchurch Gondola | 10 Bridle Path Road, Heathcote Valley 8022, Christchurch
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| 19. Louis at Your Fingertips | Blackwell’s Department Store | Cnr Williams Street and Raven Quay, Kaiapoi 7644
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| 20. Moko | Sign of the Takahē | 200 Hackthorne Road, Cashmere, Christchurch 8022
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| 21. Asimov | Antigua Boatsheds | 2 Cambridge Terrace, Central City, Christchurch 8013
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| 22. Scout | Rangiora Library | 141 Percival Street, Rangiora
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| 23. Peace (Live auction only) | Westfield Riccarton | 129 Riccarton Road, Riccarton, Christchurch 8041
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| 24. Quake Dogs | Ashburton Art Gallery | 327 West Street, Ashburton 7700
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| 25. Ta’iala | Riverside Market | 96 Oxford Terrace, Central City, Christchurch 8011
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| 26. Trudy the Wonder Dog | Ray White Clearwater | 40 Clearwater Avenue, Clearwater, Christchurch 8051
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| 27. Tohu | Ray White Bishopdale | Unit 5 333 Harewood Road, Bishopdale Christchurch 8053
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| 28. When I Needed a Hand, I Found Your Paw (Live auction only) | He Puna Taimoana | 195 Marine Parade, New Brighton, Christchurch 8083
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| 29. I got you (Live auction only) | Westfield Riccarton | 129 Riccarton Road, Riccarton, Christchurch 8041
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| 30. Flowers for Trudy | The Welder | 20 Welles Street, Central City, Christchurch 8011 | ||||