Adoption FAQs

How will I know if a Labrador Retriever will be a good fit for my family and lifestyle?

Labs are sweet, loving, loyal, and generally make wonderful family pets. They just want to be near you and most will follow you from room to room. Because they live to be with their people, Labs generally do not make good, totally outside dogs. Labs that are left to be outside only dogs, can become depressed, and destructive. So please consider your lifestyle, your schedule – both personal and work, if you are traveling frequently, work long hours, and would not have the time to give the love, attention and exercise that the Labs need.

Labs need regular daily exercise in order for them to be calm enough to be good in your house. Labs that do not get enough exercise can exhibit behavior problems such as excessive barking, inappropriate chewing, digging, and other destructive behavior. In addition, they need fenced areas for safe exercise. Even senior Labs need daily walks and play time in order to stay healthy.

You need to be aware that most Labs shed all year round. They have beautiful coats, which shed constantly and require frequent grooming and a little more than normal vacuuming helps. But the joy, love and companionship that a Lab can bring into your home and family outweighs the minor inconvenience of daily vacuuming.

How do I know if a puppy or older dog would be best for my household?

With the Labs, you can expect puppy-like behavior any where from two to three years. So if you don’t have the time and a strong commitment to obedience training; if you don’t want your shoes, baseboards and anything else they can get a hold of chewed, your house rearranged, you might want to choose an older dog instead of a puppy.
If you have very young children, a younger Lab might not be a good choice for you, since an younger Lab can easily knock your little ones over. We generally suggest that families with young children stick with dogs that are past the jumping stage.

Here are some suggestions and advantages of a senior Lab:

• Seniors are generally calmer and need less exercise than a young dog
• Many are well suited for condominiums and townhouses
• They are generally more tolerant, better socialized and easier to manage
• Seniors make excellent first dogs for young children
• Senior Labs make excellent companion animals for anyone who wants a less active dog
• Most senior Labs want nothing more than to be safe and loved

Why do I have to pay a fee to rescue a dog?

Central California Labrador Retriever Rescue is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization. We rescue Labs of all ages and in any medical condition from all over the Central Valley. This results in significant veterinary bills each month. We are able to recoup some of those costs through adoption fees. We exist on donations, and we must collect fees in order to offset some of our expenses. The adoption fee that you pay, allows us to continue doing what we do.

What if I adopt a dog, and then decide it’s not a good match for my family?

The Labrador Retriever Rescue has a lifetime commitment to each dog that comes into our program. If you adopt a dog, then decide it is not the right one for your household; it must come back to CCLRR. If, at any time during the dog’s life, you find that you must surrender the dog, he/she must be returned to the CCLRR.

How does the Labrador Retriever acquire their Labs?

The majority of our Labs come from shelters. We also receive some directly from their owners who, for a variety of reasons, cannot keep them. We also occasionally take in a Lab that has been running stray, and whose owners cannot be found. The majority of our Labs, have been the victims of neglect, usually in the form of improper diet, health related issues such as ear infections, inadequate food supply, and lack of grooming and flea control.

Does Labrador Retriever Rescue ever get puppies?

Occasionally, however, the majority of Labs that we take in are at least a year old. The ages range from one year to thirteen!

What medical care does a Lab receive before becoming available for adoption?

Each dog that comes into our program is given a basic vet exam. It is brought current on vaccinations (Rabies, DHLPP and Bordatella). If they are intact, they are spayed or neutered. They are also tested for heartworm. If they are given a clean bill of health, they are made available for adoption. We treat any medical issues, which are identified.

What is the process for adopting from CCLRR?

The first step is to fill out our Adoption Application and fax it to the number listed at the top of the application. If you need an application sent to you, please email Muttlovedogs@yahoo.com. Once your application is received, it will be forwarded to our Placement Volunteer. Within a week or so, you will be contacted to arrange for a home visit with your family.

Once the home visit has been completed and your application has been accepted for placement, we will require the adoption fee. Your check should be made payable to C.C.L.R.R. and sent to the address below. Once received, you will be sent via e-mail, a confirmation letter with your adoption number. Please print this letter, it is your ticket to adopt and you will be asked by the foster or owner to show your adoption number.

Our northern organization will inform you via email every Thursday Afternoon of all new dogs coming into the rescue prior to the general public. All websites are updated every Friday. In your Thursday email list, you will also receive the contact information for the foster/owner so that you can call with questions or set up a time to meet the dog. You would be able to adopt from either location (Fresno – Stockton/Sacramento areas) When you receive your Thursday list, you may call the foster/owner of the dog, make an appointment and go with your family and your dog, if you have one, to meet the Lab. If the Lab looks like a good match, you may take the Lab for a two-week trial period. If, after this period it is working, you have adopted a Lab. If it is not working, you can bring the Lab back and try again. You may also want to attend our local adoption events to meet available Labs.

All of our Labs come with inoculations current, heartworm negative and spayed or neutered. We also microchip all of our Labs. No Lab will be given to its new family until it has been spayed/neutered. THIS IS CALIFORNIA LAW.
REFUNDS: If, in the first two weeks after you are approved, you find and adopt a dog from another Rescue or a Shelter, we will refund your adoption fee. After two weeks we will not refund….you have made a donation to Rescue.
HOW MUCH TIME DO I HAVE TO ADOPT. You may stay on our “LIST” as long as you wish….there is no time limit for you to find the right dog.
I HAVE ADOPTED FROM YOU BEFORE Yes you need to fill out a new adoption application. We close the file when you adopt. The fee for a second or third adoption is $150. (EXCEPT FOR PUPPIES)

IMPORTANT NOTE:

1. Dogs currently listed on the website may have been adopted by the time your application is received. Some dogs are adopted quickly, and our already approved adopters have priority.
2. Please understand you are applying to adopt a Lab, not a specific Lab already on our list. There are approved adopters on our list and they have first call on any Lab we have. If you see a Lab on our web page and are applying to adopt only that Lab you may well be disappointed, but remember, our supply is endless and the right Lab will come along.

What are the criteria for being approved to adopt from CCLRR?

We are looking for safe, happy, healthy, loving, committed homes. We are looking for individuals and families who wish to make the dog a member of the family. The dog must be allowed to sleep inside and spend most of its time inside with the family. We are looking for homes with lots of love to give and time to spend with the dog. We prefer that you have a fenced yard (exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis for applicants who wish to adopt a senior dog). We are looking for individuals and families who are committed to providing excellent care to the dog, including monthly heartworm preventative treatment.

How do I meet available dogs?

We hold regular Adoption Events every month. We are at River Park, across from Borders between Rubio’s and Home Fabric every Sunday from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. In addition watch our News & Events Page for upcoming event locations.