Adoption process
Before an adoption, we consider the history, temperament, personality, and energy level of the Rescue Labrador for placement in a particular home. The placement process includes a written application and a home visit of the potential adopter. Adopters have come back to us for their second and even third dog, which speaks well for the process and the experience.
1. Apply
Fill out and mail the application.
2. Home study
After we receive your completed application, the home study coordinator will locate a home study volunteer in your area to set up an appointment with you.
The volunteer will come to your home with their Lab to evaluate the home environment and answer your questions. Everyone who will interact with the Rescue Lab on a regular basis, including immediate family members, the babysitter or au pair, grandparents, neighbors, must be present during the home visit.
After our volunteer has returned the home study report to the home study coordinator, we will send you a confirmation letter.
3. Matching a suitable Lab
We do not have a central kennel where you can visit the Labs. We do not post pictures of Labs available for adoption on the Internet. Our placement coordinator personally helps match a Lab in our program with previously approved applicants.
Our goal is to find the best match based on the Lab's background and the family's needs. The temperament and energy level of the dog are our most important consideration. Other factors we consider include the ages of children, other pets, previous experience with dogs, family's lifestyle, and applicant's requirements with respect to gender, color, and age of the Lab.
As a rescue, we have no control over the Labs that are available for adoption. A suitable Rescue Lab may be available in a week, in 6 months, or longer. Families with children under the age of 6 can expect a longer wait.
We encourage applicants to be flexible about gender, color, and especially age. Often applicants consider a Rescue Lab after the loss of a family dog and request a young Lab. These applicants may not be accustomed to the high activity level and attention needs of a young Lab. Mature Labs (ages 5-7) have passed the very active stage, but are in their prime and still have plenty of life left! Mature dogs usually settle into their new family life quite readily. Senior Labs also make great companion dogs.
4. Meeting the Lab
When an appropriate Lab arrives in a foster home, the placement coordinator will discuss that Rescue Lab in detail with you and invite you to meet the Lab, by appointment, at the foster home. At the end of the visit, if the Lab proves to be a good match, you should expect to take the Lab home with you.
5. The Adoption
At the time of adoption, applicants must sign a contract that states the Lab will receive proper care, cannot be transferred to another person, and will not be allowed to run loose.
We will provide you with copies of the Lab's medical history and the information sheet from the original owner. We do not forward any AKC paperwork.
The adoption donation for Rescue Labs is $275. For very young Labs under the age of 1 year, the adoption donation is $300. (It is extremely rare for us to have puppies available for adoption.) A check, payable to Labrador Retriever Rescue, Inc. is required at the time of the adoption. These donations help with the costs of foster care, veterinary treatment, and training. At times, the cost of a Lab in our care greatly exceeds the adoption donation.
6. After the Adoption
LRR volunteers are available to help you with problems and answer your questions about caring for your Rescue Lab.
If, for any reason, the adoption is not satisfactory, you must return the Lab to LRR, as stated in the adoption contract.
LRR reserves the right to take back any Rescue Lab that is neglected, improperly cared for, has a serious temperament problem, or is allowed to run loose.