We are a fully volunteer-run organization. Please be patient if you do not have an immediate response. Every member of our team has many other work and family obligations. We try to be as efficient and responsive as possible. Each adoption application takes time to fully screen and we typically receive many applications each month. Please understand that our primary obligation is to the dogs entrusted to our care.
While we realize that our screening process may seem extensive and may occasionally (and unfortunately) eliminate some good homes, it is a process that has been developed through years of experience and we stand firmly behind it. Our goal is to place Labrador Retrievers into their forever homes and we take it very seriously. We want to do everything we can to ensure the dog and adopters are a good fit. Having to return a dog to the rescue is traumatic for a dog and typically the adopters as well. This is why Labrador Retriever Rescue of Fresno does its due diligence during the application process.
Our adoption prices are as follows:
- Puppies & youngsters, (2 years of age and under) – $400.00
- Adult Dog, (3 through 8 years of age) – $350.00
- Senior Dogs (9 years and up) – $200.00
Special consideration may be granted for dogs with medical needs or bonded pairs.
Labrador Retriever Rescue of Fresno covers the costs of the following services performed by our veterinarian:
- All necessary vaccinations prior to adoption, including rabies and distemper/parvo
- Puppy deworming.
- Spay/Neuter Surgery
- Heartworm test
- Microchip
- We treat any medical issues which are identified
100% of the adoption fee goes back towards the care of the dogs saved by LRRF. Labrador Retriever Rescue of Fresno is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization. We rescue Labs of all ages and in any medical condition from all over the Central Valley and beyond. This results in significant veterinary bills each month. We supply high-quality dog and puppy food, flea and tick preventative and general dog/puppy supplies needed to provide daily care. The average cost to care for a dog while in rescue far exceeds the adoption fee collected. 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.
Labrador Retriever Rescue of Fresno charges a one-time $10 application fee. You do not have to pay it separately for each dog you are interested in. The application fee is a donation that helps us to cover the costs of caring for our rescue and is non-refundable. Collection of a one-time fee ensures that applicants are serious about adopting. We receive a lot of applications from all over the country. Charging a fee helps the dogs get the care they need while eliminating some candidates that are not serious about the process.
Labrador Retriever Rescue of Fresno is a foster based, 100 % volunteer group located in the Fresno/Clovis area of California. We have fosters throughout the Fresno County area and surrounding areas. We are not a shelter.
Labrador Retriever Rescue of Fresno is a team of volunteers located all over the Fresno County area. We do not currently have a central phone number.
We currently do not have a facility where you can meet our adoptable dogs. Labrador Retriever Rescue of Fresno is a volunteer, non-profit, foster-based rescue. This means that our dogs live in homes with volunteers until they are adopted.
Once an applicant is approved through the Application Process, arrangements will be made between the potential adopter and the foster volunteer to introduce you to the dog you are interested in.
We do not adopt dogs on a first-come basis. All applications will be screened to determine the most suitable match for the dog and the adopter. Every LRRF dog is fostered by a member of our team, and lives in their home as part of their family. Our foster families get to know the dog, what they need, their level of socialization, and the type of home that will best suit them. The needs of the dogs are our highest priority. Applying for a dog you’re interested in quickly does increase the likelihood your application will be considered though.
Labrador Retriever Rescue of Fresno does not do same day adoptions. The point of the applicant screening procedures used by animal rescue groups is to ensure the safety of both the animal and their new families, as well as to reduce the chance that the animals will be returned because of an inappropriate match. All applicants are required to go through the Adoption Process outlined above.
- It does take time to process applications, so please be patient.
- If you indicated on your application that you were interested in specific dog, the particular dog that you applied for may have been adopted by the time your application was processed.
- If at any point during the application process your application is determined to be incomplete, misleading or not factual, it will be denied without notice.
- Not everyone who submits an application will be contacted to continue the adoption approval process. We receive several thousands of applications annually and we review each and every complete application that we receive.
- Check your spam folder.
Most rescue groups have a rule about adopting or not adopting to families with small children. Children under 5 are learning how to live and get along in our world. These young children cannot yet discriminate between their stuffed animal dog (which takes whatever a toddler can dish out) and a real dog, with real teeth, and with the ability to be hurt and to then hurt in return. Any dog can and will bite given the right circumstances. We routinely re-home surrendered dogs because the mix between young child and dog was not a good one. Rescue dogs often have unknown backgrounds/temperaments. Puppies have not yet had time to be socialized and trained in how to behave around children. Therefore, in the best interest of children and dogs not getting hurt, we reserve the right to deny adoption based on having young children in the home.
Most rescue groups have a rule about adopting or not adopting to people under the age of 21. Please do not take it personally. We understand there are many responsible young adults that love dogs, but it is our policy to not adopt out to persons under the age of 21 due to the surrender rate amongst younger dog owners. We find that persons under the age of 21 are typically better suited to volunteer with animal care or to serve as a foster parent, opposed to making a life-long commitment to a dog.
We do not transport dogs to out of area adopters, but have adopted out dogs to other areas and states. If we were to approve an out of area/out of state adoption, we require the adopter to meet the dog and foster here in the Fresno area and pick up the dog and transport it home. We do not ever ship dogs.
We understand that you may be interested in adopting but you also have travel plans, or other obligations that make it difficult to adopt at a certain time. We are unable to hold dogs for adoption, as this takes up vital space in a foster home that could be used in saving the life of another dog in need. Please check back with us when you are ready to bring a new family member dog into your home.
We typically do not adopt out 2 puppies to the same home due to the risk of littermate syndrome. If you are contemplating adding 2 puppies of similar age to your home, we suggest speaking to professional dog trainers/behaviorists and do research on this condition.
https://thebark.com/content/dont-take-two-littermates
The Labrador Retriever Rescue of Fresno is committed 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 LRRF within 14 days in order to be considered for another dog (at the rescue’s discretion) or receive a refund (please see Refunds below). If, at any time during the dog’s life, you find that you must surrender the dog due to circumstances beyond your control, Adopter MUST contact LRRF immediately for assistance.
REFUNDS: When you adopt a dog from LRRF, we provide a 14 day period of time for a refund. This provides time for your new dog to adjust and decompress, however if you return the dog, you are only eligible for a refund of the adoption fee in the first 14 days. After that period, your adoption fee will be considered a non-refundable donation and we can provide a tax receipt.