HOW DO I GO ABOUT ADOPTING A LABRADOR?
First, look over our dogs online (click on their photos for more info) or come out to one of our adoption events which we post on this website and sometimes in the newspaper. If we have a dog you are interested in, we ask that you PLEASE fill out an ADOPTION APPLICATION before you email us about it. Once you've been approved, you will get to see the dog and spend enough time with him/her to see if the dog is a match for your family. This may involve several visits with the dog, if need be.
SERIOUS INQUIRIES ONLY, PLEASE. We are a very small organization, and although we love doing it, this takes up most of our spare time so be sure you're ready and prepared for a dog before you turn in an application. You shouldn't be doing this on a whim anyway--this is potentially a 14-15 year decision! Once your application has been received, you will be contacted by phone for an interview and a home inspection will be scheduled. A Lab Rescue volunteer will then come out to your house to see if it's a suitable place for one of our dogs. You must have a fenced yard!! If at any time, after you're aproved, you are no longer interested in adopting from Lab Rescue, OK, Inc., please drop us a quick email so we will stop looking for a dog for you. This saves valuable time, thanks!
Once approved, a volunteer will meet you at an assigned vet clinic where you will sign an ADOPTION AGREEMENT. You will pay an adoption donation and will be required to buy at least 6 months of heartworm preventative from the vet. The adoption fee covers the spay/neuter, all shots, negative for heartworms and a negative fecal. You must also have a tag for the dog which is engraved with your name and phone number. These may be purchased at Wal Mart or Petsmart--they have tag vending machines by the cash registers that engrave the information you input while you wait.
The fee schedule is as follows: Lab Adults are $200; Puppies 6 months or younger are $250; Mixed Breeds are $150. Special Needs dogs and Senior dogs per board discretion. The Adoption Fee Schedule is due on the date of adoption and is non-refundable.
After a dog has been placed, there will be a follow up visit from one of our volunteers after the dog has been living with you for a month to see if all is going well. That’s it! Are you’re sure a Labrador is right for you? It will be the best dog you ever had! Read on!
IS THE LABRADOR RETRIEVER THE RIGHT BREED FOR YOU?
The basic temperament of a Labrador is gentle and loving. Labradors are very active dogs and need a purpose in life. They require a great deal of daily exercise, swimming, retrieving and mental stimulation.
DO LABRADORS SHED MUCH?
Labradors are heavily coated and will shed all of their coat in the spring and again in fall. Some Labradors shed coat year round.
ARE LABRADORS GOOD WITH CHILDREN?
Labradors are generally good with children. However, very small children can be eaisly knocked over by a playful Lab. We recommend your children be well beyond the toddler stage before your family aquires a Labrador.
ARE YOU PLANNING ON HAVING CHILDREN IN A FEW YEARS?
One of the reasons people surrender dogs is because they're having a baby. If you don't think you'll be able to handle a baby and your dog (it's not always easy but it's totally do-able) then please, for the dog's sake, wait until you think you have time for both. Often, people get a dog and it goes from being the center of attention to being left outside day and night until it's decided that he/she has to go. It's not fair. So think this part through before you decide to adopt a dog. Rescue, as a whole, often sees families who adopt a dog while pregnant with the child, then dump the dog immediately afterwards.
ARE LABRADORS GOOD WATCHDOGS?
The Labrador is not a watchdog, however they will usually alert you to a visitor to your home. Labradors do not make good yard dogs, especially in Oklahoma. They are companion animals and if left alone too much will develop undesirable habits.
WOULD A PUPPY OR AN ADULT BE BETTER FOR MY FAMILY?
Labrador puppies are small for a very short time and require hours of socialization and training. All puppies will monopolize your time for the first 6 months and many Labs retain puppy characteristics until they are two years of age. If you work long hours or have a very busy lifestyle, a puppy is not a good idea. A Labrador between 3 and 5 years of age is mentally mature and easier to live with as their physcial demands decrease. A healthy Lab can be expected to live 12-15 years so even a dog of 5 or 6 has many good years ahead of him. A Labrador puppy reaches adult height at 9 - 10 months of age but their need for constant supervision continues for many months. Besides, with adult dogs you bypass all the housetraining and chewing problems!
WILL AN ADULT LABRADOR BOND TO ME AS WELL AS A PUPPY WOULD?
Yes! The Labrador, when placed in loving, structured, environment bonds beautifully to their new family in a very short time. You do NOT have to "raise up" a puppy to have a loyal, dedicated dog. That's a silly misconception.
WHO MAKES A BETTER PET, A MALE OR FEMALE?
Surprisingly, most Breeders believe males are generally more willing to please and more affectionate. Females are usually the alpha or pack leader in domestic situations. However, Labradors are individuals and personalities can vary in either sex.
WHICH COLOR IS BEST?
You may have heard that black dogs don't tolerate the Oklahoma sun or that chocolate dogs have more health and temperment problems. Neither is necessarily true. Be sure you never pass up a great black dog waiting for a yellow whose personality doesn't fit your lifestyle. Our experience teaches us that if you "CHOOSE THE INSIDE OF THE DOG. YOU WILL LOVE THE OUTSIDE."
WHAT KIND OF LABRADORS ARE AVAILABLE?
Almost all of the dogs in Rescue are purebred Labradors. Many of our dogs are turned in by their owners. Some are strays and some have SPECIAL NEEDS OR MEDICAL PROBLEMS. All dogs are believed to be of good temperament - however any new dog must be closely supervised in new situations until the adopting family truly knows the dog. We do not knowingly accept any dog that is aggressive or has a bad temperament. We strongly suggest enrollment in an obedience class upon placement.
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