Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why do I need to fill out an application?
A. The adoption application provides us with necessary information on the placement of our dogs to qualified homes. By that the information you provide us allows us to make sure that your home and it's enviroment matches the need of the rescue dog.

Q. Why is your adoption fee so high?
A. The adoption fee of $399 in most cases does not cover the costs we need to cover the dog from rescue until he/she arrives in your home. Depending on where the animal is rescued, the shelter may require a pull fee ranging from $40 to $75 per dog. Vet costs can range from $100 to $300 depending on the amount of vet care required. This includes but is not limited to spay/nueters, heartworm treatment, standard antibiotics, etc. Then there is the cost associated with boarding and kenneling. A dog that is rescued now will require a place to stay until he/she is ready to be placed for adoption. During that time there might be additonal vet costs for worming, h/w tests, and shots. Then there is the transport cost to move the dog from the South (Louisianna, Arkansas, Florida, Tennessee, etc.) to the Northeast. that cost ranges from $150 to $175 per dog. And with gas prices rising that cost will increase soon. If you are a Mass Resident please refer to the attached link.

Q. How much does ALR pay it Staff and Employees.
A. American Lab Rescue is an all volunteer group. There is no staff or employees. We are a 501c3 approved non-profit. Every associated with American Lab Rescue is a Volunteer from the President to the adoption consultants. No person associated with American Lab Rescue recieves any salary or payment for services they provide. We all work full time jobs, have families and still find time to rescue and place these beautiful animals.

Q. Why do require most dogs to have a fence?
A. We know our dogs better than anyone. Most have already displayed a pension for running. A number of dogs are high energy and require alot of exercise that will not be burned off by walking on a leash. A fence reflects additional security for your dog to be safe in a new enviroment.

Q. I want to adopt a Service Dog, can you find one for me?
A. ALR rescues dogs in need. No one that rescues dogs for ALR is qualified to determine if an individual dog has the ability to become a service dog. Should you decide to adopt a dog from us and you recognize that your has a special talent than maybe you can train your dog for that purpose. We have been told by past adopters that they have trained their dogs in agility, hospital and helper dogs.

Q. What happens if I can no longer care for my rescue dog?
A. Part of the adoption contract states that if for any reason you are no longer abale to care for your dog, American Lab Rescue will take your dog back and find him or her his next forever home.

Q. I have been told that if a dog is returned or not adopted it will be put down. Is that correct?
A. No that is not correct. All dogs in the ALR program stay in the program until they are adopted. There is no clock that ticks that says a dog has to be moved or else. In some circumstances we may move a dog to another rescue group as they may be more fmailiar with the breed or have a potential adopters looking for a specific dog.

Q. Why do you do what you do?
A. Everyone associated with our group is a dog lover and we all work toward the same goal. Reduce euthinization in the south and find homes for these dogs where we can. Please see our Mission Statement by following this link.

Q. Where are you located and what are the hours?
A. The ongoing costs to run and support a facility are astronomical and unfortunately we do not have the funds to support one. We use foster homes and kennels through out the Northeast for our dogs to stay until they find their forever homes. If someone would like to donate or grant us a significant amount of money or land, we would be grateful and build and run a shelter.

Q. I am not ready to adopt right now, but How can I help?
A. You can foster a dog that needs a short term place to call home until they are adopted. Click here to go to the foster page. You can volunteer. We are always looking for people to help with various duties. Help at transport. Answer emails. Work to get the wrod out about rescue and it's benefits. Help at transports Volunteer at events at such as the 2011 CT Pet Expo, 2011 RI Pet Expo, Adoption events at Petco and such.

Q. I will not adopt sight unseen or without meeting the dog first.
A. The first time some adopters meet their new dog is right off the transport. They know nothing more about the dog than what the foster has told them. (click here to see a transport). This is a special time for them when they first see their dog in the fur so to say. But others are more comfortable seeing and meeting their dog before deciding to adopt or not. Some of our dogs are already in the Northeast. They are at foster homes or local kennel facilities. The more homes we have the more dogs we can foster locally.

Q. I am a resident of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. What does that mean to me when I want to adopt a dog?
A. If you are a resident of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and interested in adopting a dog from a Rescue Group outside the State, you need to be aware that your adoptive dog is required to be placed in a state approved quarantine facility for a period of 48 hrs prior to going to your residence. The cost of this Qaurantine is $75. Which is over and above the $399 adoption fee. Please follow this link for more info.