The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is appealing for volunteers in St Albans to walk, feed and groom trainee guide dogs during evenings and weekends.

The association is looking for Volunteer Boarders, who house trainee guide dogs in their homes for 10 weeks at a time.

This includes feeding and grooming the dogs on a daily basis, who are closely supervised by the dogs’ trainers.

Once a volunteer has attended two training days at the Guide Dogs office, a member of staff will come out to check the boarder’s house and the security of their garden.

A Guide Dog Mobility Instructor then visits to put up a spending run, for the dog's toilet requirements, in the garden. The dogs do not need to be walked in the weekday evenings, as they have a very active day with their instructors.

In St Albans, boarders are required to drop their dogs off at the association’s office in Park Street between 8am and 9am and pick them up between 5pm and 6pm.

The charity will supply basic equipment and cover all veterinary and feeding expenses. Advice is also given regarding handling skills, basic first aid, and the general care and welfare of the dogs.

For more information contact Guide Dogs on 0845 371 7771 or email volunteer@guidedogs.org.uk.