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NEW ENGLAND LABRADOR RETRIEVER RESCUE

Limerick, Maine 04048

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Adoption Process

The Adoption Process: To begin the adoption process, please submit your application through our online form. After receiving your application, we will conduct a phone interview with you, check your references, and contact your veterinarian to confirm that your current pets are up to date on their vaccinations. In some cases, we may request a home check, which we prefer to conduct if we have volunteers in your area. If a home check is not possible, we may ask you to provide photos of your home and yard. Next, we will arrange a meet-and-greet with any dogs that match your family situation and that you are interested in. Typically, you will need to travel to the foster home for this meeting, but we will do our best to arrange transportation if possible. After the meet-and-greet, we will discuss how it went with you. If you are approved to adopt a specific dog, we will notify you, and you will have 24 to 48 hours to discuss the decision with your family. It is essential to contact an NELR representative within this timeframe if you decide to proceed with the adoption. This step is crucial, as multiple parties are often involved in arranging the dog's transport, and we need to coordinate schedules. If we do not hear from you within that time, we will assume you are no longer interested, and your application will be voided. We will then assist you in either picking up your new dog or arranging transportation to bring the dog to you. Finally, you will need to sign our adoption contract, and the adoption fee will be required at that time. Things to Remember: Our primary goal is to find the best match between the dog’s background and your family’s needs, focusing on the dog’s temperament and energy level. We consider various factors in your home, such as the ages of children and existing pets. Our adoption process does not prioritize applications based on their submission order; instead, we evaluate each application to find the best fit for the dog’s needs. Our commitment is to ensure every rescued dog finds a suitable forever home. If you apply for a specific dog, we will assess whether that dog is a good match for you, but sometimes it may not be a suitable fit due to various reasons. This does not reflect negatively on your application; rather, it indicates that the dog requires different circumstances. If you do not specify a dog, the Adoption Coordinator will discuss available options that best align with your home and lifestyle. Please note that submitting an application does not guarantee adoption of a specific dog. Many factors influence our decisions, and our goal is always to find the most appropriate family for each dog, ensuring none of our rescue dogs become homeless again. We advise against sharing with your children that you are adopting a specific dog until you receive confirmation from the Adoption Coordinator. At the time of adoption, you will receive copies of the dog's medical history and any available information from the previous owner. The adoption donation is $350 for a Rescue Lab, $375 for Labs under one year, and a reduced adoption fee of $100 to $200 for seniors over seven years of age. Full payment is required upon adoption, and all fees and donations directly support our efforts to rescue more dogs in need. Families with children aged ten years or younger must have a fenced-in area. We do not place Labs in homes with children unless we know the dog has had positive experiences with them. Additionally, we do not place Rescue Labs with families that operate home-based childcare or doggie daycare programs. All current dogs in the applicant's home must be up-to-date on vaccinations, including Bordetella, and must receive monthly heartworm prevention. Lastly, please understand that our volunteers dedicate many hours each week to NELR while balancing their personal responsibilities. We strive to make the best placements for our dogs, and if a dog you were interested in is placed with another family, it is not a reflection on your application, but rather a matter of finding the right fit for the dog. We have many other wonderful Labs available for adoption that may be perfect for your family. Post Adoption: It is essential to give all rescue dogs time to adjust to their new environment, bond with their new family, and possibly relearn certain behaviors. Although many pups may appear house-trained, they will need guidance in a new setting as they navigate unfamiliar rules. These dogs have experienced significant changes and require love, consistency, and clear boundaries to settle in, which may take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Volunteers are available to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have. If, for any reason, the adoption does not work out, the dog must be returned to NELR as outlined in the Adoption Agreement. New England Lab Rescue reserves the right to reclaim any Rescue Lab that is neglected, improperly cared for, develops serious temperament issues, or is allowed to roam freely. Thank you for considering New England Lab Rescue.

Service Areas

We serve the New England states and primarily source animals from shelters in the southern states, rehoming them to qualified applicants.

New England Labrador Retriever Rescue in Limerick, ME

New England Lab Rescue was established in 2010 by Heather Labbe after she noticed a rising number of Labrador Retrievers in shelters. Motivated to make a difference, Heather recognized the strong demand for Labs in New England, which often leads to a scarcity of these dogs in local shelters. She determined that with adequate funding and dedicated effort, she could rescue Labs from shelters in southern states and facilitate their adoption in New England. Since its inception, New England Lab Rescue has successfully assisted over 200 Labs in finding permanent homes. The organization anticipates receiving 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in 2011, which is expected to enhance funding opportunities and enable the rescue of even more Labs. For those who are unable to adopt or foster a Lab but wish to support our mission, we encourage you to reach out to learn how you can get involved.

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