Thinking about volunteering with our dogs but are concerned it might not be right for you? We're addressing some of the most common reasons people talk themselves out of it.
14/10/2026
When we speak to new volunteers, we often hear the same thing: they wish they'd started sooner. Before that first puppy visit, though, most of them were carrying exactly the same doubts about whether it was the right choice for them.
So, we're addressing some of the most common reasons people talk themselves out of it.
Raising a puppy is a genuine responsibility, and does require a time commitment. We're always going to be upfront about that. You'll typically need to be around for regular home visits which can last up to two hours, so a flexible job, hybrid working, or more time at home tends to work well.
But you don't need to be completely flexible or retired. Plenty of our volunteers work or study, and we have formed a plan that will still let them raise one of our puppies.
Every volunteer goes through a matching process with us first, to ensure it's the right choice for their lifestyle.
Some of our volunteers also choose to temporarily board our dogs while in training, or look after one of our puppy mums, which often have different time schedules and might be better suited to you.
It's been the best thing we have ever done... Our mental and physical health has improved beyond measure.
We'd be more worried if you didn't. Falling in love with your puppy is natural for any dog lover, and honestly, we'd rather our volunteers love their dogs. But getting attached and having to say goodbye are two different things, and we've built a lot of support around this area.
Throughout your time with the dog, you'll get reminders that you're not just looking after a puppy, you're raising a dog with a purpose, and you're part of something much bigger. You'll be able to attend pop-up cafés and events, and meet some of the people whose lives might be changed by the dog you helped raise. And we make sure you'll stay part of the dog's story even after handover too, with regular updates on their progress.
Once the dog completes their training, you'll be invited to the centre to see their transformation, where we can assure you that you'll feel like a proud parent.
When the time comes to say goodbye, we treat it as a genuine bereavement and offer support and guidance. Occasionally, when the dog retires, you may also have the option to offer them a home again, should you want to, but it's completely up to you.
Saying goodbye is emotional, but it's also exciting knowing they're heading off to begin the next stage of their journey. Seeing updates as they progress through training makes you incredibly proud.
Hearing how a dog has transformed someone's life makes every goodbye worthwhile. Nothing beats that sense of pride.
Depending on what works for you, we can sometimes place the next puppy with you before your current one leaves, so there's a bit of an overlap. Steve and Davina, who looked after Clemmie, saw the benefits of this: "Clemmie spent the last two weeks of her stay helping us to settle in our new puppy, Oli, who is her half-brother. She is a happy, friendly dog and they got on very well before she went on to start her training."
Many of our volunteers don't have experience before volunteering with us, and that's completely fine. All we ask is that you have a willingness to learn (and love dogs as much as we do).
New volunteers are supported by a puppy coordinator who visits every four to six weeks, more frequently in the early stages, alongside a full puppy manual covering everything from day one. A buddy programme pairs new volunteers with experienced ones, and we offer quarterly peer workshops to keep learning and share stories.
If this is something you might be interested in, but still aren't 100% sure, we offer pre-puppy placement sessions that help you to understand everything that’s involved before you commit.
Raising a puppy, welcoming a boarder, or supporting a puppy litter, all come with demanding moments. But our puppy team are always on hand to help you through them and support you every step of the way. And we're often told the reward outweighs the difficult moments.
Becoming a brood family has been one of the most rewarding volunteering experiences we've ever had, and we feel very lucky to have been part of it.
The main challenge is keeping it together when they go! It's one of the best things I've ever done. The thought that someone's life might become more independent and the quality is improved from my girl's puppies is the best feeling.
We cover all vet bills, medications and food and supply everything they'll need for a happy, healthy upbringing. We will also reimburse you for treats or fuel expenses incurred while attending puppy classes.
When you apply, we will take into account all of the pets you currently have. Our usual rule of thumb is no more than two pet dogs, both of which need to be over six months old.
We appreciate that every household is different and will always factor this in. Some of our previous puppies have been raised with tortoises and house rabbits, so if you're unsure, speak with our team.
This isn't quite a myth, but a question and worry we've heard many times. We are a dog-centred charity, and we always put our dogs' wellbeing first. Some aren't suited to the lifestyle, whether that's due to health issues, not responding to training, or simply not having fun.
If the dog doesn't qualify for the assistance path, they will go through a change of service process where we determine if they're best suited to our community dog or family dog scheme. If this still isn't the best option for the dog, we will re-home them with the best possible people.
You'll never be asked to keep the dog if they don't qualify. But if it's something you would like to do, you'll be able to register your interest in keeping them permanently.
We need volunteers to look after our puppies and dogs. If you’re curious about volunteering and want to find out more, we'd love to hear from you. Complete our contact form and a member of our team will be in touch to talk about opportunities near you.