We need puppy parents!
We are urgently looking for volunteers to foster our hearing dog mums.
Apply now!Foster a hearing dog mum
Our hearing dogs are specially trained to alert deaf people to important sounds, like a smoke alarm or a baby's cry. They’re also companions. Their love and emotional support helps many deaf people feel less isolated and alone.
A hearing dog can be a life-changing addition, but we can’t do it without our amazing volunteers. Could you help us create and nurture the next generation of hearing dogs and help deaf people leave loneliness behind?
Why foster a hearing dog mum?
Fostering a hearing dog mum offers a unique and rewarding experience. As a fosterer, you’ll provide a home to one of our beautiful and well-trained hearing dog mums. You will have the opportunity to experience the joy and fulfillment of raising litter of puppies and playing a crucial role in their early development. Your care and support will ensure they’re ready to start their training to become life-changing hearing dogs at the age of 8 weeks.
What's involved in fostering a hearing dog mum?
Fostering a hearing dog mum involves looking after and caring for one of our lovely brood dogs on a full-time basis, and allowing that dog to give birth to up to four litters in your home. You will need to take mum to all of her appointments, vet checks and matings, and be able to care for each litter until they reach 8 weeks of age. Puppies can't be left alone for more than one hour, so you must be at home for most of the day.
You don't need any previoous experience to apply. You will eceive full support and guidance from your allocated Puppy Supply Coordinator and our Canine Healthcare Team. Your puppy coordinator will even be with you during the birth - no matter what time or day or night!
All food, bedding, whelping and puppy equipment wsill be provided. Medical expenses, treatments, grooming and insurance are also covered by Hearing Dogs. All you need to provide is a safe hoome, a secure garden and lots of time and love.
Location
We are currently only able to offer this role to those who live within a 45 minute drive of our National Breeding Centre in Saunderton, Buckinghamshire (HP27 9NS). Volunteers must have a safe and secure garden with an area that is directly accessible from the home. You will also need a suitable space in your home for a hearing dog mum to give birth and to care for a litter. As a guide, whelping boxes can measure up to 4ft by 4 ft.
“It's magical when the puppies are born and then such fun watching as they grow and develop. The most rewarding part is seeing them again later when they have grown up and are ready to be trained as working hearing dogs.”
Breeding Scheme FAQs
What breeds do you use?
Hearing dogs use Labradors, Cocker Spaniels (Working & Show types), Miniature Poodles and the mixed breed Cockapoos. These breeds all have the traits needed to become perfect hearing dogs.
When will my brood have her first litter?
All broods must have had 1 season and be 14 months (smaller breeds) or 22 months (larger breeds) before breeding for the first time?
How many litters will she have?
Broods have no more than 4 litters in her lifetime and a rest season after each litter.
What happens after 4 litters?
Our broods are retired after 4 litters, usually around the age of 7. You will be offered the option to rehome her at this time.
