Guide dog pups spend their first 14 months living with a raiser, who cares for them in their home and teaches basic cues – but there’s a shortage after sign-ups dropped during the pandemic
Almost 900 people who urgently need a guide dog face an anxious wait due to a lack of volunteers to raise them as pups.
The charity Guide Dogs is making an urgent plea for dog lovers to come forward to help. Pups spend their first 14 months living with a volunteer, who cares for them in their home and teaches basic cues. But due to a dip in sign-ups during the pandemic, 893 people are waiting to be matched with a dog – and the charity needs more volunteers to bring this number down.
The charity’s head of volunteering, Tracey Berridge, said: “Puppy raisers are vital to every guide dog partnership. They transform tiny puppies into confident young dogs ready to begin formal guide dog training. There’s no way our charity could run without their dedication and we are always looking for more of them. If you are looking to make a difference in 2026, and you love dogs, please consider volunteering. We are in particular need of new puppy raisers in Scotland and the North West, but recruit pretty much everywhere.”
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It takes around two years from birth for each pup to become a fully qualified guide dog. Volunteer raisers take them in at eight weeks old and introduce them to all elements of life they are likely to encounter, from visiting cafes and shops to travelling by car, bus and train. They also teach vital key life skills for young dogs, including walking obediently on a lead, food manners and recall.
Raiser Lisa Allison, who is currently looking after Topper, a four-month-old Labrador, said: “I started volunteering for Guide Dogs at first because I wanted to give back – and guide dogs are absolutely life-changing. Plus I just love Labradors – you get the most beautiful little bundle to play with and raise.
“There is a real community too – I have made so many friends now who have guide dog puppies. We have a big WhatsApp group to chat and support each other and there is a fantastic social side. I’m about to go off for a Christmas lunch now with 21 other volunteers.”
Guide Dogs breed around 1,300 pooches each year. Puppies can happily live with other dogs or children, and the charity covers all expenses, including veterinary care, food and equipment. Puppy raisers are recruited nationwide, but there is a particular shortage in Scotland and the North West.
Anyone interested in helping out should visit guidedogs.org.uk/volunteer and submit their postcode to apply.
