We need puppy parents!
We are urgently looking for volunteers to foster our hearing dog mums.
Apply nowFoster 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 a 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.
We are currently urgently looking for volunteers who would like to foster a Labrador.
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 previous experience to apply. You will receive 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 will be provided. Medical expenses, treatments, grooming and insurance are also covered by Hearing Dogs. All you need to provide is a safe home, 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.
About our breeds
We have trained a number of breeds to become hearing dogs, but over the last 40 years we have found our fantastic four. They are Labradors, Cocker Spaniels, Miniature Poodles and the mixed breed Cockapoos. These breeds all have the traits needed to become the perfect hearing dog.
If you have a preference for one of our breed types, let us know when you apply.
Miniature Poodles
Miniature Poodles are highly intelligent and are skilled in many activities including agility and obedience. They are known to make excellent assistance dogs.
Cocker Spaniels
Cocker Spaniels are known to make great companions and their temperament makes them an ideal all-round family dog. We use Show Cocker Spaniels and Working Cocker Spaniels. Our Spaniel mums are occasionally crossed with Miniature Poodle dads to produce our mixed-breed Cockapoos.
Labradors
The Labrador is one of the most popular of all pedigree breeds and their popularity comes from their versatility as family companions, assistance dogs as well as working gundogs.Questions about this role?
Our friendly volunteering team are here to answer all your questions about becoming a fosterer. They can also give you more information about our other volunteering opportunities.
