Guide Dogs
Description of the role
Could you provide a loving home for a guide dog mum?
2025, your year to volunteer! How many of us make a New Year’s resolution to get a bit fitter, be more active, learn a new skill, take on something completely new? Deciding to volunteer as a Breeding Dog Volunteer with Guide Dogs this January could be the best New Year’s resolution you’ve ever made!!
Our vital Breeding Dog Volunteer role is perfect for dog-lovers who are looking for a permanent addition to their family. Most of the time your guide dog mum will be a wonderful, pet dog, then roughly once a year you’ll also get to enjoy the company of a litter of her guide dog puppies for around 8 weeks.
You’ll see her puppies grow in just a matter of weeks – from tiny newborns with closed eyes, to excitable bundles of fur ready to explore the world. And, when the pups are ready to go, you’ll feel a huge sense of pride knowing you’ve made a big difference by raising life-changing guide dogs for people with sight loss.
Our guide dog mums are perfect for everyone. They’re specially selected for their ideal temperament and characteristics and have the very best guide dog genes. Your guide dog mum will arrive socialised and house trained and, when she retires from the breeding programme, you have the option to adopt her and keep her so that she can enjoy her retirement with you too.
We cover all the costs for our guide dog mums, including her food, vet bills and any equipment or bedding she needs. We’ll also provide all the training you need to look after her and her puppies. In addition, you’ll have the full support of our expert dog behaviour and welfare teams and dedicated 24/7 support from our specialist breeding team.
This opportunity is unique to volunteers who live within an hour’s drive of our National Centre, just outside Leamington Spa, CV33 9QJ.
Ideally you will:
- Have a home with a safely fenced garden.
- Have dog handling experience but not essential.
- Have a clean driving licence is desirable and access to a car you are insured to drive.
- Live within an hour’s drive from the National Centre.
Practical Considerations
This role has 6-8 hours of training and then you’ll be ready to go! These modules include dog knowledge, care, and handling.
If you have questions about the training requirements, we can answer these at your interview along with any other support or accessibility needs you may have.
Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket. We’ll make sure we pay any expenses related to your volunteering with us in line with our policy.
Any specific requirements
- Will require references.
- Must own a vehicle or have secure access to one.
- Must be over 18.
- Any other additional requirements will be discussed with you and the organisation.
Where is the opportunity based?
- Home based and within an hour’s drive of the Guide Dogs National Centre, CV33 9QJ.
When is the opportunity available?
The opportunity is ongoing with our breeding dog mum living at home with you, like a pet dog.
About the organisation
Guide Dogs is one of the UK’s leading sight loss charities. Our expert staff, volunteers and life-changing guide dogs help people with sight loss live the life they choose. We couldn’t continue our vital work without your generous donations and our amazing volunteers.
Bromsgrove and Redditch Network 