Dog Rescue Dunedin co-ordinator Dr Jo Pollard said 9-year-old Australian cattle dog Jemma was to be put down at the Westwood pound but was put in the foster care of Aimee Ward on June 17.
To better Jemma's chance of getting a ''forever home'', she needed $2600 of cataract surgery in Christchurch.
The Outram-based charitable trust fundraised online and the money was raised quickly with 69 donations, she said.
However, on Jemma's arrival in Christchurch on Monday, the surgeon discovered the procedure was not suitable for Jemma's eyes.
The dog would remain blind and as Ms Ward was leaving New Zealand in November on an extended holiday, the search for a home had intensified, Dr Pollard said.
''We were trying to get her all better in time for adoption before Aimee leaves New Zealand. If she's not adopted by then, she will have to go into another foster home.
''Every time she changes her home, it will be a major challenge for her because she has to learn where things are ... but she is a great dog and not at all sorry for herself.''
The level of support from the community revealed it was worth persevering with Jemma, as she had many years ahead of her.
Ms Ward, of St Clair, said Jemma had limited vision in her right eye, but she walked into tables, door frames and bushes on walks.
The dog had learnt ''the lie of the land'' and was comfortable navigating the home and neighbourhood.
Dr Pollard said she would contact the people who had donated to Jemma and if they did not want their money back, it could be used for a diagnostic tool for dogs with vision problems, preventing similar trips to Christchurch.
Another option could be to use the funds to help ease Jemma into an adoptive home.
Dog Rescue Dunedin was at capacity last week, with 30 dogs in foster care. Consequently, two pound dogs were put down, she said.
- Dog Rescue Dunedin would host a fundraising movie preview at Rialto Cinemas on September 15. A similar fundraiser last year raised over $3000.
