Issue 17 | Spring 2003

Guide Dogs For The Blind

Seel also:

Blinded to the danger

Guide Dogs for the Blind is probably one of the UK’s best known voluntary organisations. It is also unique in combining the care of animals with the care of people. The organisation was established in 1931 to give blind and partially sighted people greater independence. Today it is recognised as the world leader for breeding and training guide dogs.

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is a voluntary organisation that receives no statutory or government funding for its invaluable work. They rely on donations, fundraising and legacies for their income, requiring over £45 million a year.

Every year ‘Guide Dogs’ trains over 1,000 guide dog puppies, each of which costs around £35,000 to breed, train and support. The organisation pays for guide dog’s food bills, veterinary care and supports retired dogs with voluntary “adopters”.

But this is not all that the ‘Guide Dogs’ do. They are also the UK’s major provider of professional training for staff working with visually impaired people, the UKs largest single provider of funds for research into dog health issues, and by 2005 will have made grants totalling £13 million to support human ophthalmic research.

All of this is made possible by the work of thousands of volunteers who help raise funds and walk the puppies. The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is always on the lookout for volunteers and fundraisers. There is a voluntary fundraising branch in the Knowsley and Liverpool area.

For more information about how you can help, contact the Liverpool Guide Dogs Centre on 0151 221 0999.