Volunteers urgently needed in Hucknall and Bulwell to care for guide dogs

Volunteers are being asked to provide temporary homes for dogs, as they complete the latter stages of their guide dog training.

Sight loss charity Guide Dogs covers the cost of all the food, veterinary care and equipment required for each dog and provides volunteers with full training and support.

The organisation is in urgent need of at least 25 new homes in the Nottinghamshire area for its future guide dogs.

Tracey Leigh, operations manager for Guide Dogs in Nottinghamshire, said: “This is a great opportunity for an individual or a family to care for a dog on a temporary basis.

"On weekdays, the dog you are caring for would attend training sessions at our specialist centre.

"On weekends, the dog can spend time with you and enjoy time out from training sessions.

"After a few months, they will move on to the next stage of their training, eventually becoming a life-changing guide for somebody living with sight loss.

"You can then look forward to caring for a new dog, as and when you are ready to do so.”

As part of the role, fosterers would be required to drop dogs at the Nottingham Guide Dogs centre in Phoenix Business Park, just outside Bulwell, on weekday mornings and collect them again in the evening.

A guide dog begins its formal training at around 12 to 14 months old and, in normal circumstances, most dogs qualify as working guide dogs by the age of two.

Volunteer fosterers usually care for dogs that are between 14 to 24 months of age.

The two main breeds the charity uses are labradors and golden retrievers, which are crossed to gain the best characteristics of each breed.

Tracey added: “This is an incredibly rewarding volunteering role, suitable for anyone aged 18 or over. We also welcome applications from people who have other pets at home.

“We’re in urgent need of new volunteers as soon as possible.”

If you think you could provide a loving, temporary home for a trainee guide dog in Nottinghamshire, contact volunteering coordinator Melanie Brown via [email protected] or call 0800 781 1444.