The organisation needs at least a dozen people statewide to help raise puppies waiting for new homes.

Glen Waverley resident Belinda Lawrence has been a puppy raiser since January, caring for "adorable'' eight-month-old Clifford.

"He's a very placid dog. He's very affectionate, very intelligent, just has a mind of his own. He's really just a pleasure to have,'' she said. The role of puppy raisers is to ensure pups are toilet-trained, able to walk on a lead and are introduced to sights and smells they will encounter working as a Guide Dog.

Puppy raisers are fully supported, with food and veterinary care provided free.

"You spend about three hours [a day] of one-on-one time going for walks and training,'' Mrs Lawrence said.

"You need to take the puppies everywhere they might go during their life as a Guide Dog getting them used to the people and the noise.

"I decided to be a puppy raiser mainly because I'm a dog lover, but it's also the fact that I'm doing a voluntary community task, which I enjoy.

"You get a lot of guidance from GDV. You don't necessarily need experience with dogs.''

GDV, a not-for-profit organisation, provides guide dogs and other mobility services to people who are blind or vision-impaired.

Details: 9854 4444.

Last Friday was Top Dog Day, GDV's annual fundraising event. Ritchies Supermarkets, which sponsors it, held a fundraising day at its Mount Waverley store.