Detector dog puppy foster carers urgently needed in Greater Geelong region

Find out why Belmont resident Jane O’Brien and her family are loving fostering their detector dog puppy, Zetta.

Finn, Jane, Pierce, Alan and Cillian O'Brien with their Australian Border Force foster puppy, Zetta. Picture: Alan Barber

The Australian Border Force urgently needs people from the Greater Geelong region to help raise future detector dogs, with as many as 70 puppies expected before Christmas.

Detector dogs help protect Australia by detecting prohibited or regulated goods like drugs, firearms, explosives, tobacco and currencies.

Belmont resident Jane O’Brien and her family fostered Zetta the labrador in July as part of the detector dog program.

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Ms O’Brien said her three children, Cillian, 14, Finn, 13, and Pierce, 9, wrote her and husband Alan letters to convince them to foster a detector dog.

“They got really passionate about raising a dog to help protect Australia,” said Ms O’Brien.

Zetta is now four-and-a-half months old.

Finn, Jane, and Alan O'Brien with Zetta. Australian Border Force foster puppy Zetta at her home in Belmont. Picture: Alan Barber

Ms O’Brien said the experience had been “amazing” and encouraged others to consider fostering a detector dog puppy.

“We’re just loving the experience and learning so much and feel very supported by the team,” she said.

“It’s just so much fun getting out and doing all the activities with her.

“We have found that she has fitted into our lifestyle really well.”

Ms O’Brien, 44, said while she was initially concerned about how Zetta and the family’s 10-year-old labradoodle, Molly, would get along, the two dogs were having a ball together.

Zetta and Pierce O'Brien. Picture: Alan Barber

Amy Biggs, supervisor of foster care engagement at the ABF, said carers needed a secure yard and a loving home.

Foster carers must walk their puppy once a day, socialise their puppy and attend the detector dog facility three times during a 12-month period.

The ABF covers equipment, food and veterinary care and provides carers with education and 24/7 support.

“There’s no large expense for foster carers, what we’re really asking them for is their time and commitment to take our dogs out and expose them to the big wide world,” Ms Biggs said.

For more information, visit www.abf.gov.au/detectordogs

Originally published as Detector dog puppy foster carers urgently needed in Greater Geelong region