Guide Dogs Dinner on IGA menu

Customers of IGA stores in Brisbane’s North can now help put Guide Dogs into the hands of Queenslanders who are blind or vision impaired simply by offering their pet a healthy diet.

‘Leading RAW’, the much-lauded pet food developed and used by Guide Dogs Queensland has been snapped-up by Stephen’s IGA stores in Morayfield, Narangba, Petrie, Lawnton and Eaton’s Hill .

The stores will be the first supermarkets in Australia to stock the special Guide Dogs diet which has helped the charity to slash its health care costs by thousands since its introduction three years ago.

Originally developed by GDQ to service its prized colony of more than 200 dogs and pups, the product was recently released commercially to benefit other dogs and to help the charity fundraise.

Proceeds from sales of the raw meat diet will help the organisation fund the $30,000 needed to breed, train and place every Guide Dog, as it receives no Government aid for its Guide Dog services.

Presently there are close to 25 Queenslanders either waiting to receive their first Guide Dog or needing to retire an ageing one. Sales of ‘Leading RAW’ will ensure all continue to be placed for free.

Stores owner Alan Stephen’s said he is delighted to support a product which will not only improve the health of customer’s pets but will also support one of Queensland’s most respected charities.

“Every IGA store prides itself on being an active part of the local community and Guide Dogs is a local charity which helps so many of our customers who are blind or vision impaired,” he said.

In 2009 Australians spent a staggering $6 billion on their pets, with dogs accounting for almost 60 per cent or $3.6 billion of expenditure. Veterinary care for companion animals set owners back more than $2.2 billion¹ . GDQ hopes ‘Leading RAW’ will save consumers on the health care costs of their dogs^.

Guide Dogs Queensland CEO Chris Laine said the organisation’s dogs and pups are “thriving” since the introduction of ’Leading RAW’ and she cannot recommend the product to shoppers more highly.

“We’ve seen improved skin and coat condition in our dogs, better urinary and digestive function, healthier teeth and gums, and a reduction in body odour. The dogs are also more resistant to parasites, produce smaller stools, have fresher breath, and are calmer on ‘Leading RAW’”, she said.

“We are delighted Stephen’s IGA supermarkets have made our product available to shoppers, and we encourage people to give it a try. The benefits will extend well beyond the health of your pet”.

For more information go to leadingraw.com

Please contact Julie James, PR and Special Projects Manager at Guide Dogs Queensland to arrange interviews on (07) 3500 9058 or 0457 883 827. Email j.james@guidedogsqld.com.au

¹ Australian Companion Animal Council 2010, Contribution of the Pet Care industry to the Australian Economy, 7th Edition, Rockwell Communications, East Kew.