GUIDE Dogs is urgently in need of volunteer boarders – people who are willing to open their home to a dog in advanced training and care for it overnight during the week and throughout weekends, while following guidelines from the dog’s trainer.

The charity supplies basic equipment and covers all veterinary and feeding expenses, but boarders must be able to drop off the dog at the centre in the morning and pick them up early evening.

Guide Dogs volunteering consultant Janet Harper said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to have the benefits of caring for a dog without the full-time responsibility. It’s also very rewarding to be involved in the upbringing and training of a guide dog, which will one day provide freedom and independence to a blind or partially-sighted person.”

If you are looking for a more challenging and hands-on role, the Atherton-based charity is also looking for enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers who can care for a puppy in their home full-time, from when the dog is aged from approximately six weeks until they are one years old.

“Basically, if we don’t have puppy walkers, we don’t have guide dogs,” said Janet.

“Puppy walking can be challenging, and it’s a real commitment to take a puppy into your home for a year.

“But with the support of Guide Dogs’ staff, our volunteers find it rewarding and worthwhile.”

Guide Dogs supplies basic equipment and covers all veterinary and feeding expenses. To become a puppy walker, volunteers will need to have access to a car.

You will have to be home for most of the day and free to take the puppy into many varied environments. Your yard or garden will also need to be securely fenced.