First, A Little Background On AdoptALab.org...

We are a small group of volunteers based throughout the Midwest, upstate New York, New England, Virginia and the Southeast, working to stop the euthanasia of Labrador retrievers in animal shelters throughout our coverage areas and beyond.

In the past 8 years, we have placed over 7000 Labradors (and other great dogs!) in loving homes. Most of our Labs are pulled from shelters in the Midwest and South where spay and neuter programs have not yet had the effect on the population of unwanted dogs as they have on the East coast. While we do take Labs from shelters in all areas, as well as owner surrenders, those numbers pale in comparison to the numbers put down because of over-crowding every day in the more rural areas of the country.

Once a Labrador is pulled from one of our member shelters, we go to work assessing the behavior and training level of that dog. 

The Lab is then assigned to a foster home for a minimum of 2 weeks. Many Labs are fostered for a much longer period of time.
During that time, each Lab is worked with on house manners, house-training, crate-training and beginning obedience. The foster family gives us recommendations on what type of home situation they feel would be best for their foster Lab. 

The Lab sees one of our AdoptALab.org vets, like our head clinical veterinarian, Dr. Heather Baker. Each lab is spayed or neutered and receives a heartworm check, rabies shot, DHPP and Bordetella vaccines.
If there are other problems, such as ear infections, orthopedic problems, or heartworm disease, they are treated by our team of vets.
The last stop before any dog goes out for adoption is our main facility, which is run like a doggy-daycare for rescue dogs. While they are there, we get a final evaluation from our head trainer and support staff, and work to make a match with an adopter that we feel will provide the best type of home for each dog. Our adoptive families go through a screening process that can involve interviews, reference checks and / or home visits.

Adopting Puppies

Many people think it's better to raise a puppy than adopt an older dog. If you are interested in an AdoptALab.org puppy, you should be prepared for a LOT more work and lot more requirements in our screening process.

We require a schedule that doesn't allow the puppy to be alone for more than 3 to 4 hours at a time. We require a fenced yard if there are children younger than 12 years old and we require prior puppy training experience with families that have children under 6 years of age. We also require a puppy socialization and obedience class for all puppy adopters.

In return, AdoptALab.org does everything we can do to provide a structured, stable environment for the development of your puppy while they're with us. If the litter of pups comes in with the mother or whelps with us, they are kept with Mamma until 6-weeks-of-age. They also receive their first puppy shots and vet checks, and then go two-by-two to foster homes that will work with them on socialization with adults, kids and other dogs. They are kept in the foster home for two to three weeks, and are placed with their adoptive families at 8- to 10-weeks-of-age.

The most important thing to know is that they are quarantined for at least 14 days and vet-checked at least twice before going to their new homes. This is a system we have used repeatedly with excellent results.

How To Adopt

No matter what the age... puppies, young, adult or senior... Labs make great companions in a variety of situations.

The first step in adopting one of our great AdoptALab.org rescues is to submit an application. In fact, about half of our dogs are adopted to applicants without ever being posted on the web site!

Please click on the link below and submit your application today.

Apply Online