Guide Dogs, the working name for The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, was founded in 1934 to help blind and partially sighted people enjoy the same freedom of movement as everyone else.

The charity receives no government funding and relies on voluntary and legacy income. In 2009 Guide Dogs produced 760 guide dog partnerships, with the lifetime cost of a guide dog from birth to retirement being £49,800.

The charity also funds ophthalmic research, provides other mobility services including white cane training, and campaigns to break down legal and physical barriers to help blind and partially-sighted people get around independently.

Registered charity number 209617 / SC03897