How it works
At Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida, we try to find the best match for our dogs. These dogs have been through a lot, whether they were abandoned, taken to a kill shelter, abused, or just surrendered by their families that didn’t want them anymore. Our primary goal is to bring these animals back to health, reduce their stress and find them loving homes where they will be loved and cherished, never to be abandoned or mistreated again. In an effort to match a rescued dog with your family, we have a multi-step process. The process takes a couple of weeks to complete and then you will be able to start meeting available dogs. Each step is outlined below.
Keep in mind that every dog has a unique personality, energy level and needs. Please be patient with the process. This is not an object you are bringing home, it’s a new member of your family!
Adoption Application
The first step in the adoption process is completion of an online application and payment of a small application fee. On the application, we ask detailed questions about you, your family, and the type of dog you're looking for.Application Fee
The application fee is non-refundable and is applied toward your adoption fees. Like all fees we collect, the money is used to care for our Labradors and cover some minor operating expenses.Home Visit & Vet Check
A volunteer will contact you and perform a home visit where we meet your family and see where the dog will live. We request a veterinarian reference where we ask the veterinarian a few questions about the history of your current animals.How long does it take?
We’re staffed by volunteers with day jobs so the home visit and vet check normally occur within two weeks of submitting your application.Meet Available Dogs
After your home visit and vet check, if you're a good match to adopt one of our special rescue dogs, we will approve your application and an adoption counselor will help you find the perfect dog. Your whole family should visit the rescue dog.Be proactive!
Watch the website and our Facebook page to find out about the labs we have. We get new ones every week. It may take a while to find the right match. If you see a dog that catches your eye and seems like a good fit, tell your adoption counselor.Contract & Adoption Fee
After you've found the right dog, you'll complete an adoption contract and pay an adoption fee. Then you can take your new family member home! You may be able to complete the contract during your visit with the lab.The foster family must approve your adoption
Our foster parents have the final say in who takes the dog they’re fostering. Fostering a dog is a very intensive part of rescue and our fosters feel good knowing the dog that they’ve saved is going to a home where his needs will be met.Important Note About Families with Small Children: For families with children under 7 years old considering adopting an adult dog, LRROF’s policy is that the dog must have a demonstrated history with small children. THIS POLICY IS FOR THE PROTECTION OF YOUR FAMILY. As a result of this policy, it may be more difficult to find a suitable dog so the wait for a dog with a small child history may be longer. Dogs with child history tend to be adopted more quickly so you will need to diligently watch our postings and stay in contact with your adoption counselor.
Apply Now
To start the process, check out our adoption policies and then submit an online adoption application. Remember we’re accepting dogs all the time and we’re adopting them out too. Don’t wait to see the dog you want before you apply or she may be gone before you get through the process.