Could you offer a future guide dog a loving home?

Guide Dogs is looking for volunteers to act as puppy raisers, as well as fosterers for guide dogs in training.

An appeal has been launched to find volunteers in Angus willing to give loving homes to future guide dogs.

The Guide Dogs charity is keen to find people in the Forfar and Arbroath areas who can act as ‘puppy raisers’ to care for their pups full-time for the first year of their lives as well as ‘fosterers’, who look after trainee guide dogs during evenings and weekends.

Those interested in volunteering are being invited to attend an event at the Guide Dog Forfar Regional Centre at Orchardbank next Saturday (March 12) to find out more.

Aaron Puckrin, volunteering co-ordinator, said, “Puppy raisers are essential volunteers and without them we simply couldn’t continue providing life-changing partnerships for people with sight loss.

“Puppy raisers provide the full-time care and education of our puppies for around 12-16 months until they are ready to join one of our training schools.

“To become a puppy raiser, volunteers will need to be home for the majority of the day and be able to familiarise their pup with a wide range of environments.

“Fosterers look after our guide dogs in training for around 20 weeks at a time.

“During the week, the dog attends training school during the day and learns everything it needs to become a fully-fledged guide dog, so our volunteers provide a relaxed environment for them in the evenings and over the weekend. It’s a great way to enjoy the company of a dog without the huge commitment of owning one full time.

“From Monday to Friday, fosterers will need to be able to commit to dropping the dog off at our centre in Orchardbank Business Park each morning between 7.30am and 8.45am and picking them up again every evening between 4.30pm and 6pm.

“Both roles require dedication and hard work but are hugely rewarding and lots of fun.

"Our volunteers tell us time and time again how special it is when they learn that their dog or pup has qualified as a guide dog and is helping someone with sight loss to live an independent life.”

The event this weekend has limited places.

Contact [email protected] for more information and to reserve a place. Those who are unable to attend the event can visit www.guidedogs.org.uk for further details.