There is a high appeal to donate to organizations that train puppies to become guide dogs. For one thing, puppies are damn cute. For another, a service dog has a noble quality; plus they're not only service animals, but life companions.

So making a donation to a freshly born puppy and watching the little one grow up to service a blind person is seemingly satisfactory and altruistic.

However, it costs approximately $50,000 to train one guide dog puppy. And after the training is complete, which can take 22 to 24 months, another $15,000 is needed to support the dog’s service.