Adoption Information - Please Read in Full...
Interested in adopting? Make sure you watch our special 'Your New Dog' video series.
PLEASE READ BEFORE FILLING OUT AN APPLICATION TO ADOPT:
We very much appreciate your interest in adopting a Labrador in need through LELRR. Due to a shortage in longer term fosters, the majority of our Labs are in a foster home where they spend one to three weeks. We find for most Labs this is enough to identify how well they will adapt to living inside of a home, as well as get a good start on any behavioral training.
Should Labs require more time in a foster home, we will evaluate that and not list them for adoption until they are ready.
Once a Lab is ready for adoption, they will be listed on our website or Petfinder. If you are an not approved adopter, this is where he will check to see which Labs are available and which Lab you are interested in submitting an application for.
Because of the shortage of fosters, in some cases we also offer an option to adopt a Lab who has been in a Short Term Respite home for 1-3 days.
These Labs are dogs with solid temperament where we get an opportunity to learn about the dog’s behavior inside of the home. After the short stay we will educate the potential adopter so that they are able to make a decision whether this these are behaviors they are willing to work with as they transition the Lab to their forever home. This is a great way for an approved, experienced adopter to adopt a Lab without having to wait weeks for them to be placed in a longer term foster home.
Because these are dogs who are just starting to work on acclimating to a forever home we only offer this program to approved adopters who are NOT first time dog owners, do not have children under the age of 6, have previously adopted a rescue dog and live within a reasonable driving distance of Cleveland, or where the Lab is located.
If you are are an approved adopter and are interested in the respite program, please refer to the contact information on your approval email.
Our Labs are posted on social media, Facebook and Instagram as they come into the rescue. We will know very little about them at this time, other than a general idea of temperament.
Both approved adopters and interested adopters may inquire about a Lab’s status at any time by messaging us directly or referring to the contact information on their approval email. However, only Labs listed on Petfinder are ready for adoption. Adopters who have already been approved will have first opportunity to adopt any of our Labs.
Please understand that it may take some time to review and process your application as well as potentially adopt one of our Labs. Please be patient and respectful of the volunteers who work with you through this process. Our goal is to help you and the dog find a match that works for you both. No one is paid. It is a labor of love and we do our best to respond to applications and inquiries in a timely manner.
Because we are looking to get our Labs settled in forever homes that are a match quickly, we ask that you do not submit an application unless you are interested in a Lab that is currently listed on Petfinder. While we cannot guarantee that you will be able to adopt a specific Lab that you are interested in, once your application has been approved, you will be able to express interest in any of our adoptable Labs, as well as get updates on the status of those not yet ready for adoption.
Our job, and most especially the job of our fosters, is to place their Labs with the adopters that are the best fit for that specific Lab, and will offer them the best chance for success. If the Lab you originally applied for his adopted to someone else, or you were told that it is not a good match, please don’t take it personally and remember that we are always bringing a new labs in need. One of them may very well be the perfect fit for your home.
Your patience and understanding of our process is very much appreciated. Thank you!
- The LELRR Team
We very much appreciate your interest in adopting a Labrador in need through LELRR. Due to a shortage in longer term fosters, the majority of our Labs are in a foster home where they spend one to three weeks. We find for most Labs this is enough to identify how well they will adapt to living inside of a home, as well as get a good start on any behavioral training.
Should Labs require more time in a foster home, we will evaluate that and not list them for adoption until they are ready.
Once a Lab is ready for adoption, they will be listed on our website or Petfinder. If you are an not approved adopter, this is where he will check to see which Labs are available and which Lab you are interested in submitting an application for.
Because of the shortage of fosters, in some cases we also offer an option to adopt a Lab who has been in a Short Term Respite home for 1-3 days.
These Labs are dogs with solid temperament where we get an opportunity to learn about the dog’s behavior inside of the home. After the short stay we will educate the potential adopter so that they are able to make a decision whether this these are behaviors they are willing to work with as they transition the Lab to their forever home. This is a great way for an approved, experienced adopter to adopt a Lab without having to wait weeks for them to be placed in a longer term foster home.
Because these are dogs who are just starting to work on acclimating to a forever home we only offer this program to approved adopters who are NOT first time dog owners, do not have children under the age of 6, have previously adopted a rescue dog and live within a reasonable driving distance of Cleveland, or where the Lab is located.
If you are are an approved adopter and are interested in the respite program, please refer to the contact information on your approval email.
Our Labs are posted on social media, Facebook and Instagram as they come into the rescue. We will know very little about them at this time, other than a general idea of temperament.
Both approved adopters and interested adopters may inquire about a Lab’s status at any time by messaging us directly or referring to the contact information on their approval email. However, only Labs listed on Petfinder are ready for adoption. Adopters who have already been approved will have first opportunity to adopt any of our Labs.
Please understand that it may take some time to review and process your application as well as potentially adopt one of our Labs. Please be patient and respectful of the volunteers who work with you through this process. Our goal is to help you and the dog find a match that works for you both. No one is paid. It is a labor of love and we do our best to respond to applications and inquiries in a timely manner.
Because we are looking to get our Labs settled in forever homes that are a match quickly, we ask that you do not submit an application unless you are interested in a Lab that is currently listed on Petfinder. While we cannot guarantee that you will be able to adopt a specific Lab that you are interested in, once your application has been approved, you will be able to express interest in any of our adoptable Labs, as well as get updates on the status of those not yet ready for adoption.
Our job, and most especially the job of our fosters, is to place their Labs with the adopters that are the best fit for that specific Lab, and will offer them the best chance for success. If the Lab you originally applied for his adopted to someone else, or you were told that it is not a good match, please don’t take it personally and remember that we are always bringing a new labs in need. One of them may very well be the perfect fit for your home.
Your patience and understanding of our process is very much appreciated. Thank you!
- The LELRR Team
Thank you for your interest in adopting a Labrador Retriever. As part of our process of getting to know potential adopters, we have developed the online application form below.
Review your application to ensure that you have provided all requested information. Please read and follow the next steps as this will help us complete your application in a timely manner:
**Please note: we have an adoption restriction of no more than 150 miles driving radius from Medina, OH and within the US only.
**Please note: we do not adopt to homes with children younger than school age.
ADOPTION REQUIREMENTS
For us to approve an adoption application the applicant must have:
If for any reason you no longer are able to care for your dog, we require that you return the dog to Lake Erie Labrador Retriever Rescue. After the two-week trial period there will be no refund of the adoption fee.
**LELRR reserves the right to decline any applicant that we believe, in our sole opinion, does not meet the standards of our organization. The final decision for any adoption is up to the vote of the rescue’s board of directors. **
A member of Lake Erie Labrador Retriever Rescue, Inc has evaluated for correct temperament the dogs that are in our foster care and with private owners who have asked for our help in rehoming their Lab. All LELRR fostered dogs will have a health record. The dogs fostered by LELRR are adopted on a 2 week "trial" basis so that you can determine whether or not the dog really fits into your home. The "Trial Period and Adoption Agreement" is our adoption contract and will accompany the dog. This is a formal contract spelling out the terms and conditions of the Trial Period and Adoption. We urge you to ask any questions that you may have, both now and as they arise in the future.
ADOPTION FEES
Adoption fees are payable in cash or check only. There is a $35 fee for returned checks.
You will need to speak with the private owners to see what if any adoption fee they have.
We also provide information for Labs that are with other rescue organizations. We support them because they are Labrador Retrievers. These Labs have not been temperament tested by a member of LELRR. You will need to discuss with that rescue what their policies and adoption fees are.
If you are interested in a dog that is with a private owner or another rescue, we encourage you to obtain the health record and try to take the dog out on trial visit prior to finalizing an adoption. Our objective is that these dogs find good homes. We work as closely as possible with the private owners in order to support and coach them in the process of finding new home for their pets. We are not responsible for managing the relationship between the private owner and the prospective adopter, but we exist to be a resource for both parties.
Please note: we have an adoption restriction of no more than 150 miles driving radius from Medina, OH and within the US only.
Click on any one of the buttons below to take action now...
Review your application to ensure that you have provided all requested information. Please read and follow the next steps as this will help us complete your application in a timely manner:
- Contact your vet for documentation showing that your current/recent dogs were kept up to date on vaccinations as recommended by your vet, heartworm testing at the frequency recommended by your vet, and kept on year-round heartworm preventive medication.
- Contact your personal references. Notify them to expect a call from one of our volunteers. We will not be able to proceed with your application until we speak with them.
- If you are a renter, we will need to talk to your landlord or see a copy of your lease showing you are allowed to have large dogs.
**Please note: we have an adoption restriction of no more than 150 miles driving radius from Medina, OH and within the US only.
**Please note: we do not adopt to homes with children younger than school age.
ADOPTION REQUIREMENTS
For us to approve an adoption application the applicant must have:
- All current pets spayed or neutered unless there is a medical reason documented by your vet.
- Current/recent dogs kept up to date on vaccinations as recommended by their vet, heartworm testing at the frequency recommended by your vet and kept on year-round heartworm preventive medication.
- The dog must be an indoor only dog and not have outside access when no one is home. We want our pets to be part of the family and to be able to spend time with their people, not be left outside.
- Provide vet records or a reachable veterinary reference we can contact to verify that your recent/current pets are up to date on their shots and routine medical care.
- Provide credible, reachable references, who are not related to you and do not live with you.
- Take the dog to a veterinarian of your choice during the 2-week trial period.
If for any reason you no longer are able to care for your dog, we require that you return the dog to Lake Erie Labrador Retriever Rescue. After the two-week trial period there will be no refund of the adoption fee.
**LELRR reserves the right to decline any applicant that we believe, in our sole opinion, does not meet the standards of our organization. The final decision for any adoption is up to the vote of the rescue’s board of directors. **
A member of Lake Erie Labrador Retriever Rescue, Inc has evaluated for correct temperament the dogs that are in our foster care and with private owners who have asked for our help in rehoming their Lab. All LELRR fostered dogs will have a health record. The dogs fostered by LELRR are adopted on a 2 week "trial" basis so that you can determine whether or not the dog really fits into your home. The "Trial Period and Adoption Agreement" is our adoption contract and will accompany the dog. This is a formal contract spelling out the terms and conditions of the Trial Period and Adoption. We urge you to ask any questions that you may have, both now and as they arise in the future.
ADOPTION FEES
- Ages 0 - 3: $375
- Ages 4 - 7: $275
- Ages 8 and up: $175.
Adoption fees are payable in cash or check only. There is a $35 fee for returned checks.
You will need to speak with the private owners to see what if any adoption fee they have.
We also provide information for Labs that are with other rescue organizations. We support them because they are Labrador Retrievers. These Labs have not been temperament tested by a member of LELRR. You will need to discuss with that rescue what their policies and adoption fees are.
If you are interested in a dog that is with a private owner or another rescue, we encourage you to obtain the health record and try to take the dog out on trial visit prior to finalizing an adoption. Our objective is that these dogs find good homes. We work as closely as possible with the private owners in order to support and coach them in the process of finding new home for their pets. We are not responsible for managing the relationship between the private owner and the prospective adopter, but we exist to be a resource for both parties.
Please note: we have an adoption restriction of no more than 150 miles driving radius from Medina, OH and within the US only.
Click on any one of the buttons below to take action now...