Could you foster a guide dog?

GUIDE dog fosterers are needed in Dumfries and Galloway. The Guide Dogs Scotland charity is currently recruiting volunteer fosterers, who can provide a loving home to dogs. They need training dog fosterers in Dumfries and Lochmaben. Applicants should be available to keep the dog full-time at home, with Guide Dogs collecting the dog to carry out training and returning them to the home. They are also open to fosterers in these areas who could look after a dog for weekends only. Fosterers should be able to commit to having a dog for 10-12 weeks.

In addition, there’s a need for respite fosterers in Dumfries, Lochmaben, Kirkcudbright, Lockerbie, Dalbeattie and Castle Douglas. They should be able to keep a dog full-time at home, for an agreed period of time depending on the dog. Steven from Dumfries is currently a fosterer with Guide Dogs. He said: “I absolutely love having the dogs stay whilst they are in their training. It’s always exciting when I get the message from the local Guide Dog mobility specialist to ask if I would be happy to have another. “It’s always a little sad when they match and move on, but I know they are off to change someone’s life for the better.” For more information or to apply for either role, please visit www.guidedogs.org.uk/volunteer.