Volunteers wanted to home a guide dog mum.

‘You could have the perfect family dog living with you, with all costs covered’

Sight loss charity Guide Dogs is asking for volunteers to give a home to a guide dog mum and in return all costs will be covered.

As a Breeding Dog Volunteer, a doggy mum-to-be would live with you, like any other pet dog, enjoying walks and company, and when the time is right, she would give birth in your home to a litter of guide dog puppies.

You can then enjoy the company of these adorable pups for around eight weeks, before they move out to start the first stages of their guide dog training.

Kelly Newton, Operations Manager at Guide Dogs, said: “We urgently need more Breeding Dog Volunteers to look after our guide dog mums and help us raise the next generation of life-changing guide dogs.”

“Our mums are selected for our breeding programme because of their excellent health and temperament and have the very best ‘guide dog’ genes.

“You don’t need to have any previous experience, as we have expert staff who will give you training and support you, and your dog, whilst they are part of our breeding programme.

Volunteers must be aged 18 or over and live within an hour’s drive of the breeding centre near Leamington Spa.

Guide dog mums have a maximum of four litters during their working life and the welfare of mums and pups is the top priority for the charity when making breeding decisions.

Breeding Dog Volunteers look after guide dog mums until they retire, at around six years of age. After this, they are given the option to keep the mum they have cared for as a pet dog.

Find out more, contact Volunteering Coordinator Verity O’Donnell via volunteermidlands@guidedogs.org.uk or call 0800 781 1444.