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Frequently asked questions about LRR's Labs
WHERE DO RESCUE LABS COME FROM?
WHY WOULD ANYBODY GIVE UP A LAB?
WHY DO LABS BECOME RESCUE LABS?
ARE YOUR DOGS 100% LAB OR DO YOU ALSO ACCEPT LAB MIXES?
HAVE THE LABS BEEN ABUSED?
IF NOT ABUSE, WHAT ARE THEY BEING RESCUED FROM?
HOW OLD ARE RESCUE LABS?
DO YOU HAVE PUPPIES?
WHAT COLORS ARE AVAILABLE?
DO YOU HAVE MORE MALE OR FEMALE LABS? DO MALES OR FEMALES MAKE BETTER PETS?
WHAT CRITERIA ARE MOST IMPORTANT IN CHOOSING A LAB?
WHERE ARE PHOTOS OF LABS AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION?
WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?
WHERE CAN I SEE YOUR LABS?
DO YOU HAVE A 2-YEAR-OLD YELLOW "ENGLISH" FEMALE WITH A BLACK NOSE?
ARE ALL RESCUE LABS HEALTHY?
WHAT IS THE TEMPERAMENT OF RESCUE LABS?
Frequently asked questions about LRR's adoption policies
WHY DON'T YOU LET PEOPLE OUTSIDE NEW ENGLAND ADOPT A LAB FROM YOU?
I APPLIED TO [SOME OTHER RESCUE] AND HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING. CAN YOU HELP?
WHAT POLICIES DISTINGUISH A "REPUTABLE" RESCUE ORGANIZATION?
DO YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REHOME SOMEONE ELSE'S LAB?
DO WE NEED A FENCED AREA?
HOW LONG IS THE WAIT TO ADOPT A LAB?
WHY DO YOU REQUEST AN ADOPTION DONATION?
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE LAB ADOPTION DOES NOT WORK OUT?
WHAT DOES LAB RESCUE CONSIDER TO BE A GOOD HOME FOR A RESCUE LAB?
CAN YOU HELP ME PAY VETERINARY BILLS FOR MY LAB?
HOW MAY I HELP?
Frequently asked questions about LRR's Labs
WHERE DO RESCUE LABS COME FROM?
Most come from private homes. Some come into the program from shelters and dog officers. Top of page
WHY WOULD ANYBODY GIVE UP A LAB?
Rescue Labs are given up because of relocation, lack of time and/or training, changes in family situation (divorce, new baby). Top of page
WHY DO LABS BECOME RESCUE LABS?
Labs are the most popular breed in America and have been for many years. They have an excellent reputation for being an all-around great family dog. However, some people purchase a Lab without learning about the time, training, and lifetime commitment the dog requires.
The following statistics, compiled by the Animal Welfare Association, illustrate why Labs come into rescue programs.
22% Owner lack of commitment/dog's behavior due to lack of training or adequate exercise.
20% Owner lack of commitment/no time for dog.
19% Human's health (including allergies)
16% Humans moving
10% Owner lack of commitment/unclaimed stray, no permanent identification on dog
6% Divorce
5% Dog's health
1% Owner cannot afford to keep dog/lost home/misc. financial reasons
1% other
NOTE: Over 50% of Labs are in rescue due to owner's lack of commitment towards exercise, training, and time. Top of page
ARE YOUR DOGS 100% LAB OR DO YOU ALSO ACCEPT LAB MIXES?
All LRR labs are purebred to the best of our knowledge. Top of page
HAVE THE LABS BEEN ABUSED?
Relatively few Labs that come into rescue have been physically abused. Some have been neglected (living tied up outdoors), but more typically they have been living in homes where nobody had time for them. Top of page
IF NOT ABUSE, WHAT ARE THEY BEING RESCUED FROM?
Many Rescue Labs have not had enough attention, love, and companionship. Other Rescue Labs have been dearly loved by owners who have died or experienced financial problems. Top of page
HOW OLD ARE RESCUE LABS?
Most Rescue Labs are 1-7 years old, but the range can be from 4 months to 12 years. The majority of Rescue Labs are 2-5 years old. Top of page
DO YOU HAVE PUPPIES?
We rarely have puppies. If you are considering a puppy, do your homework and find a reputable breeder. Please do not purchase a puppy from a pet store (where they come from puppy mills) or from a newspaper ad. Top of page
WHAT COLORS ARE AVAILABLE?
Labs come in three colors: black, yellow, and chocolate. In one sample year, of all the Labs we placed 25% were chocolate, 37% were yellow, and 38% were black. Top of page
DO YOU HAVE MORE MALE OR FEMALE LABS? DO MALES OR FEMALES MAKE BETTER PETS?
In one typical year, 54% of the labs we placed were male and 46% female. Both males and females make good pets. Some Lab owners have observed that males tend to be more affectionate and females more independent, in the sense that the female would hang around in the same room with you, but the male would lie across your feet. Of course, this is a generalization; it depends on the individual Lab. Top of page
WHAT CRITERIA ARE MOST IMPORTANT IN CHOOSING A LAB?
Temperament and energy level are your most important consideration. The more flexible you are about color, sex, and age, the more likely we will be able to find a suitable match. Top of page
WHERE ARE PHOTOS OF LABS AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION?
We do not post photos of available Labs. Our adopting families go through an extensive screening process and then wait for a Lab that would be a good match for them. Were we to post photos of Labs and you saw one you liked, by the time you inquired and applied, that Lab would most likely be enjoying his new home. Top of page
WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?
We are a volunteer organization. We do not have an office or building. Our volunteers work from home. Foster homes are located in various towns throughout our service area. Contact us by calling our hotline or writing to us. Top of page
WHERE CAN I SEE YOUR LABS?
We do not have a kennel where you can drop in and visit Labs available for adoption. Rescue Labs stay in foster homes until they are visited, by appointment, by the person who seems to be the best match for that Lab from among current, approved applicants. Top of page
DO YOU HAVE A 2-YEAR-OLD YELLOW "ENGLISH" FEMALE WITH A BLACK NOSE?
We are a Rescue organization. We find good homes for Labs that have been surrendered to us. We do not breed Labs to specific physical characteristics. If you are particular about getting a Lab of a certain type, you should contact breeders regarding available Labs. Top of page
ARE ALL RESCUE LABS HEALTHY?
The Labs are healthy and ready to be adopted to the best of our knowledge. Before adoption, the Lab is updated on all necessary vaccinations and tested for heartworm. All Labs are spayed or neutered before adoption. If a Lab has a health issue known to us, we will fully disclose that information when we call to tell you about a Lab. At the time of adoption, you will receive a copy of the Rescue Lab's medical record and shots, a rabies certificate, and a copy of the previous owner's information sheet. Of course, nothing in life is certain, and a Lab that is healthy when adopted can get sick afterward—just as people can suddenly get sick. Nobody can guarantee what any dog's health will be in the future. Top of page
WHAT IS THE TEMPERAMENT OF RESCUE LABS?
Individual personalities vary, as with people. But we do not accept into our program any Lab with a history of biting or aggression towards people. Top of page
Frequently asked questions about LRR's adoption policies
WHY DON'T YOU LET PEOPLE OUTSIDE NEW ENGLAND ADOPT A LAB FROM YOU?
Three reasons: First, if you live outside our area, we cannot conduct a home study, and thus cannot approve you as an adopter. Second, our Labs are transported by car, so surrendering homes, foster homes, and adopting homes must all be within relatively easy driving distance. Third, in case an adoption doesn't work out, we will take the Lab back. Consider the logistic difficulties of returning a Lab from, say, a thousand miles away. Top of page
I APPLIED TO [SOME OTHER RESCUE] AND HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING. CAN YOU HELP?
We are not affiliated with any other rescue organizations, regardless of whether they have "Lab" in their name. Top of page
WHAT POLICIES DISTINGUISH A "REPUTABLE" RESCUE ORGANIZATION?
We regret to say that the field of animal rescue is not immune to fraudulent and questionable practices. For example, some unscrupulous people take advantage of animal lovers by calling themselves a "rescue" when they are, in fact, for-profit sellers of dogs. Wisconsin Dog Rescue has published a list of questions you can ask an animal rescue organization to determine if they are reputable. (If you cannot reach the organization to ask questions before sending an application and paying a fee, consider how responsive they might be after an adoption.) For the record, Labrador Retriever Rescue, Inc.'s adoption policies conform to this definition of "reputable rescue" — and have conformed to this definition since our establishment more than 20 years ago. Top of page
DO YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REHOME SOMEONE ELSE'S LAB?
Owners surrendering their Labs sign over ownership to LRR, so LRR has clear ownership of the Lab. Top of page
DO WE NEED A FENCED AREA?
All families with children 10 years old and younger must have a fenced area adequate to hold a Lab. The fenced area must be in place before we will accept an adoption application from a family with children 10 years old and younger. We do not require a fenced area for other people who apply, but definitely consider it a major asset on the application. Top of page
HOW LONG IS THE WAIT TO ADOPT A LAB?
It can take a week to six months or longer to adopt a Lab. We have no control over when and how many Labs will come into our adoption program. Lab placement is never on a first-come, first-served basis. Our job is to find the best match based on the Lab's background and the family's application/home study to ensure success.
If you are flexible about color, age, and sex you will probably be contacted sooner.
We also need to consider limiting factors such as children, other pets, applicant's dog experience, Lab's energy level and exercise needs, and the number of hours the Lab will be left alone. Top of page
WHY DO YOU REQUEST AN ADOPTION DONATION?
Labrador Retriever Rescue, Inc. is a non-profit organization, but we do have expenses, such as foster care, food, vaccinations, and medical treatment. In many cases, our costs for caring for a Rescue Lab far exceed the adoption donation. Top of page
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE LAB ADOPTION DOES NOT WORK OUT?
No matter how carefully we screen Lab and family, on a rare occasion things just don't work out. When you adopt a Lab from LRR you must sign a contract requiring you to return the Lab to LRR if you can no longer keep the Lab for any reason. This contract applies for the lifetime of the Lab. Top of page
WHAT DOES LAB RESCUE CONSIDER TO BE A GOOD HOME FOR A RESCUE LAB?
A good home understands that most Rescue Labs are good dogs, eager to learn, but need training. It's just that no one ever took the time to work with them. A good home gives the Lab adequate time to adapt to new surroundings and people. A good home has the time to provide sufficient exercise and human contact. A good home realizes a Lab brings companionship and unconditional love no matter what the color, sex, build, or age. A good home knows temperament and energy level are the most important factors to consider when adopting a Lab. Top of page
CAN YOU HELP ME PAY VETERINARY BILLS FOR MY LAB?
From time to time, and more frequently in this troubled economy, Labrador Retriever Rescue, Inc. receives requests from pet owners for financial aid to help pay vet bills. Labrador Retriever Rescue does NOT donate money to private individuals. Our mission is finding appropriate, loving homes for Labs; the generous people who donate money to fund LRR's rescue program expect, rightfully so, that those donations are used in accordance with our stated mission.
There are organizations that help fund veterinary care for pets. Each organization has its own policies about what medical conditions they will fund and which they exclude, the amount of funding available, and the eligibility of the applicant (some help only senior citizens, for example). As a public service, here are websites you can investigate.
Disclaimer: Labrador Retriever Rescue, Inc. is not affiliated with any of these organizations, is unable to vouch for their ethical or business practices, does not in any way endorse these organizations, and has no influence to expedite any applications. We have collected these links from various public sources and share them strictly as a public service. Please exercise good judgment and caution when sharing personal and financial information with anyone.
Other tips for dealing with high vet bills
HOW MAY I HELP?
Thanks! Top of page
Behavior problems | Financial aid | When a dog bites | Buying a puppy | Useful links