SIGHT loss charity Guide Dogs is urging the people of Worcestershire to provide permanent homes for guide dog mums this year.
The charity is offering to cover all costs involved in return, such as, food and vet bills.
Host families provide a place for the doggy mums-to-be to have a litter of guide dog puppies.
The youngsters would live in the home for around eight weeks and then move out to start training as a guide dog.
Kelly Newton, Guide Dogs’ operations manager, said: “We urgently need more Breeding Dog Volunteers in Worcestershire to look after our guide dog mums and help us raise the next generation of life-changing guide dogs for people with sight loss.
“By giving a home to a guide dog mum, you could have the perfect family dog living with you, with all costs covered.
“Our mums are selected for our breeding programme because of their excellent health and temperament and have the very best ‘guide dog’ genes.”
The UK’s only breeding centre for the charity is near Leamington Spa. Applicants need to live within an hour of the site.
Breeding Dog Volunteer Maureen Ross has had guide dog mum Kim since 2019.
She said: “Kim is the most amazing dog we have ever had.
“She is very loving, enjoys a cuddle and is an absolute darling.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity and not only do you get a beautiful pet dog, but you have the amazing experience of watching pups be born, grow and hopefully one day change someone’s life.”
Volunteers, must be aged 18 or over and look after the mums until they retire, usually around six years old.
After this they are given the option to keep the dog as a pet.
Email [email protected] or call 0800 781 1444 to find out more.
