LAKE ERIE LABRADOR RETRIEVER RESCUE, INC. is an independent,
non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue and re-homing
of unwanted Labrador Retrievers.
LELRR, Inc. is staffed completely by volunteers, and is registered
in Ohio as a Non-Profit Corporation. We are one of many similar
Labrador rescue groups all over the United States.
What We Do
RESCUE DOGS IN POUNDS:
We respond to requests for help from trusted contacts in shelters
seeking new homes for dogs they believe to be Labradors. We do
not take in dogs with history of bite, people aggression or
animal aggression.
Once we determine the temperament is normal, we place the dog
in foster care. While there, the dog receives whatever basic medical
care it needs: updates on vaccinations, testing for heartworm,
and being spayed/neutered. A dog testing positive for heartworm
will be treated. Injuries are evaluated and treated.
When the dog is stabilized, we place it on our "List of
Labradors Looking For New Homes." This list is then made
available to approved applicants.
HELP FIND NEW HOMES FOR PRIVATELY OWNED DOGS:
Sometimes families must give up dogs due to death, divorce, allergies,
financial changes, or moves which prohibit taking the dogs. We
work with each family to help place the dog.
Our foster system is very, very small, and we do not take in privately
owned dogs unless the situation is truly very unusual. We will
work very closely with you to help you network the pet into a
new home.
In 2000, we networked 177 Labrador Retrievers into new homes.
Only 43 of these were actually fostered by LELRR, Inc. We have
a good system and we will work closely with you to help.
Please call Sarah Steiner at 330-725-1393 or e-mail
her.
We will send you a form to fill out, gathering basic information
about your pet. We will ask you to bring the pet to a personal
meeting, at which we will evaluate it to make sure that the dog
has "normal Labrador temperament." We can arrange this
meeting in one of several locations. We charge $10 per dog to
put a dog into our "List of Labradors Looking For New Homes."
What is the Process for Adopting a Labrador?
If you think you would be interested in having a Labrador Retriever
in your household, we invite you to contact us for an Application
to Adopt. We will send it to you, and when we receive the completed
form back, we will check the references you have given. When the
Application is approved, we will notify you.
Please call Liz Schwinn at 330-239-1543 or e-mail her.
HOW OLD ARE THESE LABRADORS?
Most of the dogs in our network are between the ages of 6 months
and 8 years. However, some have been as young as 8weeks, and as
old as 12 years. It is our hope that there is a “forever”
home for every Labrador, regardless of age.
IS THERE A FEE TO ADOPT A LABRADOR RETRIEVER?
Yes. We ask for a donation of $200 for any dog placed from a LELRR
foster home. Please realize that all updated medical expenses
for the dog have been paid by LELRR, Inc. Also, dogs are placed
in new homes on an open-ended agreement. If for some reason, the
placement does not work well for the family, we take the dog back,
even after an initial “trial period visit.”
Many of the privately owned dogs will involve some sort of fee,
and that is established between the owner and the adoptor.
The “Lovable Labrador” IS a RETRIEVER.........and
as such, is an active, athletic dog with intelligence. This often
means a dog with a mind of its own. This is not a dog who wants
to be bad, but IS a dog that really NEEDS something to do. If
you, his owner, don’t provide interesting things to do, the
dog will find them himself, often to your great dismay!
The Labrador Retriever is a very slow breed to mature, or “grow
up.” Until it comes together, somewhere between 2-3 years,
usually, it needs constant work and SUPERVISION. It needs TRAINING,
in a group setting.
If you are not willing or able to provide this sort of environment
for a dog of any sort, please don’t consider the Labrador.
This is primarily why many members of our wonderful breed find
themselves in a rescue situation.
Lake Erie Labrador Retriever Rescue will help you find the resources
you need so you can help the dog develop into a wonderful family
member. Please just ask us!
“Labradors are great family dogs!”
If, (and only if,) you are willing to bring the dog into your
house, and train it, a Labrador can
