CHARITY Guide Dogs is in urgent need of volunteers in Bromsgrove and Redditch to provide loving, temporary homes for puppies.

Pups from the charity will live in volunteers' homes for their first year, before moving on to start their guide dog training.

During these 12 months, volunteers help to get puppies used to social environments and travelling on public transport.

Ruth Oliver, from Worcester, has been a 'puppy raiser' for more than 20 years, after spotting an advert in a local magazine.

She said: "My kids were nagging me for a pet and I said no. I decided to ring them up and it all started from there.”

Ruth's first puppy was called Zym and she is currently looking after her 25th guide pup Whitney.

Redditch Advertiser:

"Whitney has settled into her new home very well," said Ruth. "It’s lovely to see each pup grow from a bundle of fluff into a dog that’s going to change someone’s life."

Volunteer puppy raisers must be aged 18 or over. Guide Dogs cover all feeding and veterinary costs.

Charity staff provide regular support and guidance to volunteers and boarders are available to look after pups when raisers want to go on holiday.

Ruth added: "I’ve loved all of the puppies I have looked after equally, they’ve all been special and each of them has been different.

"I always say that Guide Dogs change lives, not only for visually impaired people but for volunteers as well.”

For more information on becoming a puppy raiser, contact volunteering consultant Michelle Parsons on 0345 1430194 or email michelle.parsons@guidedogs.org.uk.