Following are some of the most common questions we get about the process of adopting and about the Labs we place. For information on caring for a Lab, read the factors that go into deciding to adopt.

Adopting from LRR

How long is the wait to adopt a Lab?

It can take a week to six months or longer to adopt a Lab, depending on how many Labs are available. We do not place Labs 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 the color, age, and sex of your Lab, you will probably be contacted sooner. We also need to consider factors such as children, other pets, and the Lab’s energy level and exercise needs.

Do we need a fenced area?

All families with children aged 10 and younger must have a fenced area that is adequate to hold a Lab in order to adopt from LRR. The fenced area must be in place before we will accept an adoption application from a family with young children. We do not require a fenced area for other people who apply, but we definitely consider it a major asset on the application. We regret that this policy might eliminate some homes, but our first concern is the safety of our Labs.

What is the cost of adopting a rescue Lab from LRR?

Adopters make an adoption donation of $350 on receiving a rescue Lab from LRR. Although Labrador Retriever Rescue is a nonprofit organization, the donation is necessary to cover expenses such as foster care, food, vaccinations, and medical treatment. In many cases, our costs for caring for a rescue Lab greatly exceed the adoption donation.

Can LRR help me with veterinary or other expenses?

Labrador Retriever Rescue does not donate money to private individuals, nor do we pay for veterinary care after an adoption. As a donor-supported organization, we are obligated to use donations in accordance with our stated mission. For help with expenses, see organizations like Labrador Life Line or LABMED.

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 the approved applicants.

About Our Labs

Are your dogs 100% Labrador, or do you accept Lab mixes?

All LRR Labs are purebred to the best of our knowledge.

Where do your Labs come from? Do you have a clear ownership?

Most of our Labs are given up by individuals or families who can no longer care for them. On occasion, we receive Labs that have been surrendered to shelters or abandoned. Owners surrendering their Labs sign over ownership to LRR, so we have clear ownership of the Lab in order to find him or her a new home.

Why do people give up a Lab?

People give up Labs for a variety of reasons:

• Some owners find that that their Labs do not fare well when left alone all day.
• Labs may be surrendered if their owners lose their job, relocate, or go through a change in family status (e.g., new child, divorce).
• Age, illness, or allergies may force some people to give up their Lab.

How old are your Labs?

The majority of our Labs are 3-8 years old, but they can range from 4 months to 12 years. We rarely have puppies; if you are set on adopting a puppy, please take care to find a reputable breeder.

Are all of your Labs healthy?

Our Labs are healthy and ready to be adopted, to the best of our knowledge. Before adoption, all Labs are spayed or neutered, updated on all necessary vaccinations, and tested for heartworm. If a Lab has a known health issue, we fully disclose that information up front. At the time of adoption, you will receive a copy of the Lab’s medical record and shots, a rabies certificate, and a copy of the previous owner’s information sheet. Of course, a Lab that is healthy when adopted can get sick afterward; nobody can guarantee what any dog’s health will be in the future.

What is the temperament of your Labs?

Individual personalities vary, but we do not accept any Lab with a history of biting or aggression toward people or other animals.

What criteria are most important in adopting a Lab from LRR?

Temperament and energy level are your most important considerations. The more flexible you are about color, sex, and age, the more likely we will be able to find a suitable match.

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.