Pick The Pooch: Guiding Eyes For The Blind's Halloween Costume Contest

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Think nothing's cuter than pets in costumes? How about if it's guide dogs!

Guiding Eyes for the Blind hosts an annual puppy costume contest where voters can go to the nonprofit's website to pick the best-dressed current or future guide dog. This year, the nonprofit's volunteers, clients and officials dressed up their adorable dogs in costumes ranging from Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce to chef or surfer dude.

"It's a great way for our amazing graduates and volunteers to show off their pups and for us to engage with our community during a festive season!" Zoe Bennett, Digital & Social Media Specialist at Guiding Eyes for the Blind, told Patch. "Although this is mainly for fun, some people do choose to donate after voting for their favorite costume, which is a nice bonus for our mission! Last year the campaign was so successful, and we're hoping to keep that momentum this Halloween!"

The contest ends at midnight Oct. 30.

The Hudson Valley-based organization provides all services free of charge. Since its founding in 1954, almost 10,000 teams have gone through the program and graduated, providing guides and companions to thousands. The organization has its headquarters and training center in Yorktown Heights and its canine development center in Patterson. There is also a field-training center in White Plains.

"Guiding Eyes pups are known for being exceptional, life-changing and undoubtedly amazing, but let’s not forget adorable!" they say on the contest webpage.

And did you know that from the time they are puppies, Guiding Eyes dogs are prepared for wearing a guide dog harness. To that end, Halloween costumes can serve an important purpose. Their little pups wear miniature fabric harnesses and Pups-on-Program practice “getting dressed” with their volunteer raisers, as an introduction to wearing a harness. As a working guide, a dog’s comfort level in this regard is critical to their success.

Go here to see the costumed pups — we've only shown you three of the 12 finalists — and cast your vote. Who knows, you might even get inspiration for your next Halloween costume!