Sight loss charity Guide Dogs is appealing for volunteers across Birmingham to look after guide dog mums.
The volunteer role includes housing a guide dog mum, providing support when she’s giving birth and caring for the litter of puppies for the first six weeks of their lives.
Guide dog mums are homed with volunteers when they are around a year old. Most guide dog pups start their formal training at this age, but a small proportion follow a different journey and become a guide dog mum or dad instead.
They need regular walks, care and company, like any other pet dog, and the charity covers all food and veterinary costs.
At certain points, each mum will be required to have litters of puppies, who will hopefully go on to provide life-changing support to people living with sight loss.
Litters are born in volunteers’ home, with 24-hour support available from the charity.
Breeding Dog Holder volunteer, Phillippa, said: “It is such a rewarding role, knowing that puppies born in my house will go on to become life-changing guides and support people living with sight loss is an incredible feeling.
“It’s so exciting to be there for the birth of the puppies, help with the whelping process and watch them through their infancy. You get to see everything from their first feed and first steps, their eyes and ears opening and watching them with their first toys.
“The support you receive from Guide Dogs is great, there’s a 24/7 support line that you can call anytime if you are worried about anything.”
Louise Bradshaw, Breeding Dogs Advisor at Guide Dogs, said: “It is a rewarding opportunity to not only care for a dog in your home, but also help the brood and support future life-changing litters of guide dog puppies.
“We’ll provide you with all the training and support needed.”
To find out more about the role, contact kelly.newton@guidedogs.org.uk or visit: https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/volunteering
