A SIGHT loss charity has launched an urgent appeal for volunteers in Bromsgrove who could give a loving home to one of their guide dog mums.

Guide Dogs relies on volunteers called ‘Breeding Dog Holders’ who provide homes for their guide dog mums and help them when they have their litter of pups.

The mums need regular walks, care and company and Guide Dogs covers all food and veterinary costs.

Kelly Newton, operations manager at Guide Dogs, said: “We’ve launched an urgent appeal this New Year, asking the people of Bromsgrove and surrounding areas to provide a loving, permanent home to one of our guide dog mums.

“We provide all the training and equipment required so you feel well-prepared to care for our mums, and their puppies, when they arrive.

“Our guide dog mums can live with other animals and children too, providing it is the right environment for them.

“If you’re from Bromsgrove or the surrounding area, please do get in touch. By giving a lifelong home to a guide dog mum, you’ll help us to provide more life-changing guide dogs to people with sight loss in 2023 and beyond.”

Guide dog litters are born in volunteers' homes, with 24-hour support from Guide Dogs’ staff.

Between six and eight weeks of age, puppies move to the charity’s state-of-the-art national centre just outside Leamington Spa for health and temperament checks, before starting on their journey to become service dogs.

Most guide dog pups start their formal guide dog training at around a year old.

Breeding Dog Holders 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.