Sight loss charity Guide Dogs has launched a new volunteering opportunity in Wokingham, where you can give a permanent home to one of its guide dog mums.
The charity needs 40 new homes for its mums in certain locations across the South- East of England, including Wokingham.
When you sign up as a breeding dog volunteer for Guide Dogs, a doggy mum-to-be lives with you permanently, like any other pet dog, enjoying walks and company, and when the time is right, she gives birth in your home to a litter of guide dog puppies.
You 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.
The charity covers all the essential costs involved, such as food and vet bills, and provides full training for the role before your doggy mum’s first litter arrives.
The charity’s only breeding centre in the UK is just outside Leamington Spa and previously you needed to live within an hour’s drive of this site to be a Breeding Dog Volunteer.
But the charity has extended the recruitment radius, to include Wokingham and surrounding areas, as it’s struggling to find enough homes for its important doggy mums.
Kelly Newton, operations manager at Guide Dogs, said: “We’ve launched a new volunteering opportunity in Wokingham, asking people to give a forever home to one of our life-changing guide dog mums.
“Our mums are selected for our breeding programme because of their excellent health and temperament and have the very best ‘guide dog’ genes.
“By giving a home to a guide dog mum, you could have the perfect family dog living with you, with essential costs covered, and the enjoyment of caring for her puppies temporarily, when they arrive.
“You don’t need to have any previous experience of caring for dogs or puppies to do the role, as we have expert staff who will give you training and support you, and your dog, whilst they are part of our breeding programme.
“We’re looking for homes in Wokingham and surrounding areas and would urge anyone who is interested in finding out more to get in touch.”
Essential journeys to the charity’s breeding centre are required as part of the volunteering role.
Sandra Cox from Buckinghamshire started volunteering as a puppy raiser, and when her first pup, Poppy, became a breeding dog Mum she switched roles and has been welcoming new generations of guide dog puppies since.
Sandra now has three generations of guide dog Mums in her home: Poppy (who is now retired), Riley (Poppy’s daughter) and Riley’s daughter Betsy.
Sandra said: “It’s such a privilege to watch our amazing guide dog mums look after the puppies, total unconditional love and such dedication to the pups.
“Dogs are pregnant for nine weeks and the puppies stay with Mum until they’re around seven to eight weeks old, so you’re really busy for around 16 weeks. The rest of the time is all about looking after mum, keeping her fit and healthy and having fun!”
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.
Volunteers must be aged 18 or over. To find out more, email volattractcentral@guidedogs.org.uk, call 0800 781 1444, or apply online by visiting guidedogs.org.uk/volunteer.
