The Labrador Rescue Adoption Process

The first stage of any adoption is the completion of our online application form. This can be found on our main website www.homealabrador.net.

Once you have completed the form you should receive an automated reply acknowledging your application.

You will, normally within 2 weeks, be contacted by one of our rehoming coordinators who will have an informal chat with you about your application and get to know you a little. This will allow them to answer questions you may have and also decide what type of dog will be most suitable for you. Once you have spoken to a coordinator, please unless unavoidable direct any further communication to that person - contact details are available on the website.

Depending upon your circumstances, Vet references, home check or both will be arranged. Upon sucessful completion you will then be on our waiting list and can contact your coodinator whenever a dog appears on the website that you feel would be right for you. Again, the dog will be discussed with you and if the dog is suitable an appointment will be made for you to meet the dog at our reescue.

At the appointment, you will be given the chance to meet the dog you have enquired about and take some time to get to know him/her. Please bear in mind that when you meet the dog, it may well be excited, giddy and a little over-the-top so give it chance to settle down before making any decisions. You will be given the opportunity to walk the dog and spend some time with him - the interaction between you and the dog will also be assessed - you may be a perfect candidate for adoption but there are times when a dog just does not take to someone!

Please do not visit us dressed in your best clothes, high heels etc - you are coming to a rescue, you may be walking a Labrador in a muddy field - if a Labrador is for you then you will already have the jeans, boots and wellies you need...

If all goes well, then the adoption will go ahead, paperwork will be dealt with and you will have a new family member.

We will be available to offer support during the settling down period and at any time after should you need us. We also have a discussion forum where many experienced Labrador owners are there to talk to or offer advice.

Please be prepared to give your new addition time to settle - it has been a very unsettling time for the dog - being brought into rescue, meeting you and then having to adapt. Normally things will settle within a couple of weeks but it can take up to six months before he/she is completely 'At Home'.