Congratulations if you’ve decided to adopt your next Labrador Retriever from a rescue organization.
While we appreciate respectable Labrador breeders. We also enjoy learning about the wonderful rescue organizations and shelters that help Labradors find their permanent homes. However, you might not know where to look if you’ve never worked with one. Or what the procedure entails.
How, then, do you locate a Labrador rescue in your area? And how does the procedure go for obtaining a dog from a rescue group?
How Do I Find a Lab Rescue?
Searching for local Labrador rescue groups in your area is the first step in locating a rescue Labrador. There are two ways to conduct this search.
The Labrador Retriever Club of the United States online database of rescue organizations is a good place to start. The parent group for Labrador Retrievers connected to the American Kennel group is the Labrador Retriever Club.
This directory is a great place to start if you want to locate a Labrador rescue organization in the US or Canada. They also have a separate breeders’ directory. However, it only lists the locations of rescue organizations.
Utilizing Google Search location results and social media searches is the second technique to look for a Lab rescue organization close to you.
You’ll have more success using this search strategy if you reside in a populated location close to a larger city. Because higher-population areas are more likely to have more rescue organizations.
Suppose you reside in a more remote or rural area of the US or Canada. In that case, you might need help locating nearby rescue organizations with websites, social media accounts, or Google local results.
How Does the Rescue Approval Process Work?
If this is your first time working with a rescue group or saving a dog, you might not know how the procedure works. When working with a Labrador rescue to adopt a dog, there are typically 5 primary steps you must complete:
1. Application
After contacting the rescue group, the first step will be to fill out an application with them. It is often done online. If you are successfully matched with a dog, the application will likely also include a small charge. This small fee of $20 to $30 will be added to the overall fee later.
Please make sure to complete the application entirely and don’t omit any information. You will be questioned on the application regarding:
- Your living situation,
- Whether you have children
- Your prior experiences with dog ownership.
You’ll likely be asked if you’ve ever left a dog at a shelter or turned down for adoption by other rescue or shelter groups.
2. Interview
A volunteer from the Labrador rescue group will contact you to talk about your circumstances and get to know you better after your application has been submitted and reviewed. You may refer to this individual as your “Adoption Coordinator.” They will be at your side throughout the adoption procedure.
You can use this as an opportunity to elaborate on any information you included in your application. Also, ask questions about the procedures and policies of the rescue organization you’re working with.
You’ll likely be asked if you’ve ever given up a dog to a rescue center or been turned down for adoption by other rescue groups.
3. Home Visit/Evaluation
The home study or home evaluation is often the third step in the adoption procedure with a rescue organization. Your adoption coordinator will plan a visit to your home to see whether it is suitable for a Labrador.
To decide whether you can appropriately satisfy the needs of one of their rescue dogs, they might consider factors including
- Yard space
- Fencing
- Potential road hazards
- The design of your home.
4. Vet and Reference Checks
The rescue group would typically contact your existing (or former) veterinarian, if you have one, to see if they have any concerns if the adoption process is going smoothly.
The rescue will also contact the references you listed on your adoption application for their thoughts on your previous pet ownership experience. They might inquire about your prior pets and the way you handled them.
5. Approval & Match with a Rescue Dog
Everyone enjoys the most exciting adoption process—getting approved and matched with a rescue dog! While your application might be accepted a few weeks after submitting it, it occasionally takes time to match the proper dog.
It can be difficult to be accepted and wait to find the ideal dog, but during this time, think about the characteristics of a Labrador that would make it the greatest match for you. You should also use this time to prepare your other family members to adjust to life with a dog (if it will be a new experience for them).
During this period, you can participate in volunteer work and attend Labrador rescue events to meet the dogs as they become available and learn more about which breed of Lab would best fit you.
How Long Does It Take to Find a Rescue Labrador?
Be aware that getting through the Labrador rescue’s complete process and receiving approval for a prospective adoption may take some time.
Typically, the wait time ranges from a few weeks to six months or longer, depending on the rescue organization’s workload and the breed of dog that will best fit you.
For instance, if your family can only get a Labrador puppy because you have young children, you could have to wait considerably longer than a family without young children who can adopt an older dog.
The organization is often non-profit, and the rescue personnel are always volunteers. Therefore, the procedure might be smooth and might take some time.
When so many individuals adopted rescue dogs during and after the Covid-19 outbreak, it was frequently longer than you might anticipate. You should take your time and find the best dog, even though it may take many months to have a successful match.
Spend some time learning the fundamentals of the Labrador Retriever breed throughout the application approval process to prepare you when you are matched with a new dog.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest Labrador?
Prices for show Labrador puppies can range from $1800 to $2000. A field pup might be less expensive at about $1500. Due to its relative scarcity compared to black or yellow Labs, a chocolate Labrador may be more expensive. The cost of a black Labrador puppy may be close to $1000.
What age should I adopt a Labrador puppy?
A seasoned dog trainer and development expert recommended introducing a puppy to its new owner at around 8 to 9 weeks old when the animal is prepared to form a close attachment.
Where can I pet a Labrador?
There are a few locations where almost all Labs prefer to be petted or scratched. The upper chest, tail base, shoulders, and behind the ears are a few of these. These locations are difficult for dogs to access on their own.
Conclusion
Choosing to have a new dog is a big decision, whether you get a Labrador puppy from a breeder or adopt one from a rescue group. We adore the wonderful puppy breeders and the fantastic rescue organizations who save Labs and assist in placing them in loving homes.
We hope this information has assisted you in learning how to locate a Labrador rescue and what the procedure entails if you’ve never worked with a rescue group. Most Lab rescue organizations will use a similar application procedure to what we’ve described here.
