Why should I consider adopting a rescue dog?
It's estimated that one-third of all dogs do not remain in their first (after leaving their mom and litter) homes. In our experience, this is usually not the fault of the dog. Many times, people are not prepared for the time and effort required for responsible dog companionship. Pups need training and socialization. They need humanely set limits to know how they should behave. Many people are simply unaware of the dog's needs or are too overwhelmed with other responsiblities to attend to them. In other cases, unforseen circumstances force owners to give up their beloved companions. Death or illness in the family, divorce, financial difficulties, or other changes in the owners' lives lead them to the conclusion that their dog would be better off in a new home. And then there are lost dogs--strays who are never reunited with their owners. All of these dogs are deserving of a second chance. Many of these dogs end up at shelters. If not adopted quickly, they are euthanized due to space constraints. Rescue groups like LRGR accept selected dogs from participating shelters to help ease the burden and provide more time and more personalized care for these dogs.
LRGR accepts dogs who appear to be Labrador Retrievers and who display the Labrador retriever temperament. We provide them with foster homes and basic veterinary care. In our foster homes, our Labs are evaluated further regarding their temperament and behavior, and they begin basic training including housetraining and cratetraining as needed. Our Labs are placed in new, loving homes with carefully screened adopters. We work with prospective adopters to ensure that a Lab is the right dog for them and to match the right Lab with the right home in terms of the dog's socialization, activity level, temperament, training level and and the adopter's lifestyle. We follow up with a home visit to be sure that the dog and the humans are adapting to the new environment. We are available for the life of your adopted Lab if questions arise.
When you adopt a rescue dog, you save a life and give a deserving dog a second chance.
top
What is the process for adopting a Lab through Lab Rescue of Greater Richmond?
Lab Rescue of Greater Richmond follows an established process to promote successful adoptions. Here are the highlights:
1. Application: The first step in our process is a written application. You can apply online or download the form from our application page. You may submit your completed application online, by mail, or by e-mail. (If you choose to use e-mail, the application must be scanned into JPEG files and sent as attachments to an e-mail.) We respond to all applications as long as the contact information, particularly phone number and e-mail address, are legible. Please be patient as we are all volunteers!
2. Interview: Once we receive your completed application, you will be contacted by one of our volunteer Adoption Coordinators (AC). All adults in the household must be interviewed and this can be done at the same time or at different times, depending on your schedule. The AC will talk with you about your dog experience and your plans for caring for your Lab. She will decide whether or not you are approved to continue the process. Most applicants are approved. If we have serious concerns that your philosophy of dog ownership differs from ours, however, we will not approve your application. It doesn't mean that you're not a fit dog owner; it means that we reserve the right to place our dogs in homes that we feel are the best fit for our dogs. The few applicants we do not approve are generally quite gracious in agreeing that we disagree, and we appreciate that.
3. Review adoption protocol and process: Once your application is approved, your AC will review our adoption process (the main points of the contract you will sign if you adopt) and our contrat. If you agree to abide by these guidelines, then you move to the next step.
4. Looking for your new family member: Your adoption coordinator will have approved you to adopt a dog within certain parameters of age, activity level, temperament, socialization, and training. Few adopters are eligilble to adopt just any dog. Matching the right dog with the right home is our most important service. Your AC will tell you about possible matches and you will choose which dog you'd like to meet first. Your AC will discuss your situation with the dog's foster and see if it sounds like a good match. If it does, you'll be provided with contact information for the dog's foster and it is your responsibility to contact the foster and set up an appointment. There are several important points to keep in mind before you schedule a referral:
When you visit a dog on referral, take time to visit with the dog indoors and out. Ask questions of the foster parents. They're not in a hurry; they want their foster dog to find the best possible home. If you decide to adopt, you will be able to take your dog home. Please have a collar and leash. The foster will provide you with the dog's vet records. (If they are not available, let your AC know right away.) Please notify your AC immediately of your decision. If any questions arise during the visit, you and the foster are encouraged to contact your AC or a board member for consultation. If the foster has any concerns that the match is not appropriate, the foster will not release the dog and will consult the AC or a board member. This situation is rare, but is important because the foster is the person who sees the interaction between the dog, whom they know better than anyone else, and the prospective adopters.
Occasionally, Lab Rescue holds Meet and Greet Days where interested applicants can come and meet the dogs. The same rules regarding the presence of all family members and first come, first served hold. If you plan to attend an adoption day, please notify Lab Rescue in advance. You should bring a copy of your application (especially if you haven't yet been contacted by an AC) to the event. Keep in mind that adoption days can be stressful for our dogs, our volunteers, and our applicants. Dogs might respond to the event by being barkier than usual or shyer than usual. They are easily distracted by the presence of so many people and other dogs. Please keep this in mind when considering the dogs present. If you find the dog you would like to adopt at a Meet and Greet, you will need to make an appointment to meet the dog again at his or her foster home to pick up your new family member.
5. The adoption: When you find your new Lab, you will sign the contract and any addenda and pay the adoption fee of $250.00 ($200.00 if your Lab is 8 years of age or older). We accept cash and checks only. Be sure you receive your new Lab's veterinary records. If they are not available, notify your adoption coordinator immediately so that they can be located and given to you.
6. After the adoption: Please be sure to contact us if you have any questions or concerns after the adoption. We are available to answer your questions throughout your dog's life. Following the adoption, you'll be contacted by a volunteer to schedule a home visit. The visits are brief and we check to see if your new Lab and you are adjusting to life together. We will also require proof that you have taken your dog to your vet for a physical exam, that you are giving monthly heartworm preventive, and that you have enrolled your dog in obedience training if that was a condition of your adoption.
Please remember to license your dog with your city or county if it is required by local law.
Please remember to keep your dog's adoption records. Should you contact us in the future about your dog, we'll need the dog's original name (Many owner's change the dogs' names.) and date of adoption. If you want to adopt from us again in the future, it will help to know who your adoption coordinator was.
View the PDF version of our adoption process.
If you submit an application, please print this out to consult during your application and adoption process.
Do you need volunteers? How can I help?
We are always looking for volunteers! Our greatest need is for volunteers who will foster dogs. Transporters are also needed, as are volunteers who can perform post-adoption home visits. Training is provided. To learn more, please e-mail us.
top
How can I make a donation to Lab Rescue of Greater Richmond?
We gratefully accept tax deductible donations via PayPal, cash, or check (payable to Lab Rescue of Greater Richmond). To make a donation via PayPal, please use the button below. Checks should be mailed to the address above. Your generosity will help us provide a second chance for deserving Labs. Most of our expenses are for veterinary care for our dogs.
topHow can I learn more about dog behavior, training, and care?
This list includes resources that our volunteers have found vaulable and that are compatible with our philosophy of dog-friendly training and behavior management:
Resources that cover multiple aspects of dog ownership
Positive Perspectives by Pat Miller. Dogwise Books, 2004.
Labrador Retrievers for Dummies by Joel Walton and Eve Adamson. IDG Books Worldwide, 2000.
Whole Dog Journal is a monthly, advertisement-free magazine that covers dog-friendly training and behavior management and natural health and reviews and rates all manner of products for your dog, including toys, treats, and food. Visit their website at www.whole-dog-journal.com.
Books about dog behavior
The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson. James & Kenneth Publishers, 1996.
The Other End of the Leash by Patricia B. McConnell, PhD. Ballentine Books, 2002.
Dog Behavior by Ian Dunbar. Howell Book House, 1999.
Training resources
The Power of Positive Dog Training by Pat Miller. Howell Book House, 2001. This is a great step-by-step manual that trains you to train your dog.
How to be the Leader of the Pack by Patricia McConnell, PhD. This small booklet tells you how to love your dog without spoiling him and set limitations and boundaries without intimidation.
Feeling Outnumbered? by Patricia McConnell. Managing and enjoying a multidog household.
Pat Miller has an excellent introduction to the whys and hows of crate training on her website: www.peaceablepaws.com. Go to Resources then the FAQ section to find the article.
Visit the Dog Behavior and Training Library at the San Francisco SPCA. It's full of wonderful information. Labrador Education and Training Network (LEARN): Great info on dog behavior and training from another Lab rescue group. www.labadoption.org/linkpages/DogBehave/DogBehave.htm.
Dealing with specific problem behaviors
If you experience problem behaviors with your adopted dog, please contact us right away. Here are some excellent resources that you can use in addition to the services of a qualified trainer or behavior consultant:
The Cautious Canine by Patricia McConnell. Using behavior modification to help fearful dogs overcome their fears.
Feisty Fidos by Patricia McConnell, PhD. Management and training techniques to address leash aggression in dogs.
I’ll Be Home Soon by Patricia McConnell. Preventing and treating canine separation anxiety.
Way to Go! by Patricia McConnell, PhD, and Karen London, PhD. Housetraining pups and adult dogs.
Work with an experienced, dog-friendly trainer
Taking your dog to dog-friendly obedience training classes or working one-on-one with your dog and a professional trainer are excellent ways to learn about dog behavior and training. A great trainer will teach you how your dog learns and will train you to teach your dog to be a well behaved, happy companion. We can refer you to trainers in our area. Please e-mail us for more information.
For an explanation of dog friendly training, please visit the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) at www.apdt.com/trainers-and-owners/position-statements.htm#DefiningDogFriendly. You will find their recommendations for choosing a trainer at www.apdt.com/trainers-and-owners/trainer-search/choosing-a-trainer.htm.
I need to find a new home for my Lab. Can you help?
If you have a Labrador retriever that you need to find a new home for, please e-mail us to discuss your situation. Sometimes, we can help people work through a problem and they are able to keep their dog. If you must find your dog a new home, we might be able to help if your dog qualifies for our program. To qualify, the dog must look and act like a Lab and must not have any behavioral or health problems that would hinder a successful adoption.We expect owners to continue to care for their dogs while we help look for a new home. We also ask that your dog be spayed/neutered, current on rabies and distemper vaccinations, have been tested for heartworm disease within the last year, and be on a monthly heartworm preventive prescribed by your veterinarian. If your dog's vet care is outdated, we ask that you bring it up to date through your vet. If your dog is accepted into our program, we will list him or her on our website and will refer interested, qualified applicants to meet your dog. When the right applicant comes along, your dog will be adopted under our contract and with our adoption fee.
There are many approaches to dog feeding and there is much controversy among the different schools of thought. Some people feed their dog whichever store brand is on sale. Others simply use what the vet sells. Some people feed their dogs homemade fresh foods. Others feed their dogs a raw diet. Some feed kibble and/or canned food but are careful about reading the ingredient lists and choose their foods carefully.
We encourage adopters to educate themselves about feeding methods, make their choices intelligently, and adjust feeding to the dog's needs. Dogs should maintain a healthy weight, have a shiny coat and healthy skin, healthy teeth and gums, clear eyes and ears, and a normal energy level.
There is no food that is perfect for every dog. When someone asks us about foods, we refer them to articles from Whole Dog Journal. We like their criteria for choosing foods and believe that higher quality food will promote improved health in the future. Their articles give those of us making the feeding choices good ideas and guidelines for reading ingredient lists. Whole Dog Journal publishes a top dry food and a top canned food article each year. The most recent dry food review is found in the February, 2006 issue. WDJ has a searchable archive of articles on their website, and articles can be downloaded for a small fee.
If you adopt a Lab from us, one of our volunteers will be happy to talk with you about foods we like that are available in your area.