The big picture
The guide dog service
Other things we do
Where our money comes from
Challenge events



The big picture

• We are the world leader in breeding and training guide dogs
  
• Guide Dogs runs campaigns to raise public awareness of the importance of eye health. Visit www.healthyeyes.org.uk for more information.
  
• Guide Dogs campaigns for the rights of the blind and partially-sighted community, particularly on mobility and access issues.
  
• We deliver our services through district teams and dog training units.
  
• The charity is supported by an army of volunteers, including brood-stock holders, puppy walkers, dog boarders and thousands of local fundraisers.
  

The guide dog service

• We have been providing blind and partially-sighted people with the freedom and independence a guide dog gives for nearly 75 years.
  
• Every year we breed over 1,000 guide dog puppies.
  
• It costs around £10 per day to breed, train and care for each guide dog.
  
• At any one time we are supported about 5,000 guide dog partnerships in the UK.
  
• We place and support retired dogs with voluntary "adopters".
  
• We make a lifetime commitment to provide every guide dog owner with a guide dog for as long as they need one.
  
• Dogs unsuitable for guiding are often found alternative careers with Hearing Dogs, Dogs for the Disabled or the police.
  

Other things we do

• We are experts in the training of rehabilitation staff working with blind and partially-sighted people.
  
• We provide contracted mobility services to many local authorities.
  
• We invest extensively in research into dog health and well-being.
  
• We fund major research projects looking into the prevention and cure of eye disease.
  

Where our money comes from

The guide dog service runs entirely on voluntary donations which are generated through a wide range of fundraising activities:

• A network of local branches raising money in the local communities
  
• Regular donor mailings
  
• National raffles
  
• Social events
  
• Shades for a Day
  
• Corporate support
  
• Legacy gifts
  
• Challenge Events
  
• The Guide Dogs Sponsor a Puppy Scheme