The Labrador Retriever ranks as one of the most popular breeds in the world and its superb temperament and intelligence make it an ideal family companion. Labs are “people” dogs and you will find that “second-hand Labs make first-rate friends.”

Before making the decision to adopt any dog, serious consideration should be given to the responsibilities required in such an undertaking.

Please read and think about the following questions:

1. Do you have time and are you willing to spend time:

   •  With the dog to exercise each day by walking it or playing with it?

   •  On basic obedience training (or can you afford to have the dog professionally trained?) so the dog becomes a well-mannered member of the family and the community?

   •  For the basic daily care and feeding of the dog?

    

2. When you travel…

   •  Are you willing to take the dog with you?

   •  Can you leave the dog with friends or family?

   •  Can you afford a reputable boarding facility?

    

3. Can you afford the time and/or money for…

   •  Regular veterinary care; maintenance medications including heart worm, flea and tick preventative; and possible emergency medical expenses?

   •  Grooming?

   •  Obedience training?

    

4. Are you thinking about adopting a dog because YOU want one, or because you think it would teach your children responsibility?

Be sure you are thinking of adopting a dog for the right reasons and that you are willing to make the commitment to accept the responsibilities associated with adoption!

Adoption Requirements

1. All LSLRR dogs will be kept primarily “inside” as companion dogs.
2. Adopters must agree to crate their dog inside the house for the first month to ensure the safety of both the dog and the house.
3. Adopters will maintain annual vaccinations and regular veterinary care.
4. Adopters must have a securely fenced yard.
5. Adopters will keep their dogs on heart worm and flea & tick preventative.
6. The dog will not be left alone for long periods of time on a regular or daily basis.
7. Adopters will have all of their dogs either spayed or neutered.

Detailed Adoption Process:

1. Potential adopter fills out our Adoption Application.
2. Applicant is contacted to discuss information given on application.
3. If it is determined there is a dog or dogs that may meet their needs, the foster will be contacted to see if they are available to do a home study of the applicant. If the foster is unable to or doesn’t want to, then the Incoming/Adoptions volunteer will make arrangements to find a volunteer to set up a home study. If at all possible, the foster dog should be taken on the home study to observe any negative reactions to anything in the potential home environment.
4. After the home study they are given 24 hours to decide if they want to go through with adoption.
5. If, after the 24 hour thinking over period the potential adopter wants to continue and the foster thinks that the applicant is right for their foster lab, the process can continue. The foster will explain and have the applicant sign our adoption contract and collect the fee. The adoption fee is $250.00, due to vet exam and microchip.
6. Vet Examination is completed. If the adopter did not have a crate available during the home study they must provide proof that one has been obtained before they can take the rescue lab home.
7. When at all possible the foster should be present at the final adoption meeting. This will allow the adopter to ask any last minute questions. The foster or, in their absence, LSLRR volunteer will also present the adopter with an adoption folder especially created for their dog. This folder will include an Adoption Manual, Adoption Contracts, medical/vaccination records and the rabies certificate/tag.
8. LSLRR will take any dog back if the adoption does not work out. However, there will be refunds only during the first seven days, as outlined in our adoption contract. The adopter is responsible for returning the dog to LSLRR unless other arrangements have been made.

Our Dogs

All LSLRR dogs are micro-chipped and are current on vaccinations. Each dog will have received a fecal test and a heart worm test, and will have been treated if necessary for internal parasites such as hookworms or tapeworms. If a dog tests positive for heart worms, it will be treated and will not be available for adoption until it has been returned to good health.

A veterinarian examines all dogs that come into the program and treatment is given for any medical conditions (such as ear infections, eye infections, cuts, kennel cough, etc.) Dogs who are pulled from shelters live with a foster family for at least two weeks before they are eligible for adoption. Fosters make every effort to evaluate the dog's personality and temperament. This makes it easier to match each rescue dog with a prospective adopter's family. The foster will share all known information with the prospective adopter, including medical records.

We micro-chip our labs and do a thorough medical examination.  To help cover these medical costs, our adoption fee is $250.00. 

Ready to Adopt?

If you think you are ready to adopt a lab, please fill in the “Adoption Application.”
A volunteer will call you within two business days.