Adoption process | Adoption application
Is a rescue Lab the right choice for you?
Rescuing a Lab requires a special kind of person, one who is committed to building a loving, trusting relationship with a dog that may be confused about his new environment.
The number one reason Labs come into our adoption program is because their former owners did not have time for them. Read about the breed for a sense of how much of a time commitment is required.
If you don't have the time, don't do the crime of adopting or purchasing a Lab.
Are you committed to training the Rescue Lab?
The Rescue Lab might have acquired bad habits that need to be replaced with good habits; you will need to teach the Rescue Lab what is expected in your house. For example, the Rescue Lab might have been allowed to sleep on the sofa in his previous home. If you don't want the Rescue Lab on the furniture, you will need to teach him where he should sleep.
Do you have children? Or are you planning to start a family soon?
Families with children 10 years old and younger must have a fenced yard: NO exceptions. You must be committed to supervising ALL interactions between dog and children. If your children are young, you must consider if you are ready for "another child"—as this is what it is like adopting a young Lab (1-3 years old).
Not all Labs in our adoption program are suitable for placement in homes with children under the age of 6. We do not place Rescue Labs in homes with young children unless the Lab is well socialized and has a positive history with children. The supply of Rescue Labs meeting these criteria is limited, while demand is high. Families with young children might wait 6 months or longer for a suitable Labrador.
Are you prepared for the expense?
Veterinary care for good health is a major expense you need to be prepared to pay. We try hard to find out if the Lab has any major health problems before coming into our adoption program, but health in a dog, as with people, comes with no guarantee.
Feeding high-quality dry dog food is another expense, but directly helps the dog's health. Other typical expenses are training and supplies.
If you decide you can devote the necessary time to a Rescue Lab, you might want to think (just a little) about what age, gender, and color. Temperament should be your top priority, NOT color, sex, or physical traits.
Our commitment is to place the Rescue Labs in permanent homes. An adoption is not a "let's try and see" proposition, but an informed, thoughtful, decision to care for a dog for its entire life.
Making a decision | Is a Lab right for you? | Rescue or puppy? | Second dog? |
Adoption process | Adoption application