Lab Rescue of the LRCP

This page offers some general information for foster families. We have tried to include as many of the questions we often receive, especially from new foster families.

As a new foster family we will give you the name, phone number and email address of another, well seasoned, Lab Rescue foster family. We encourage you to liase with this person if you have any questions along the way.

Fostering is a wonderful experience and you may have questions about the dog you've been given. Your Lab Rescue contact can help you understand the behavior your new foster lab is showing and offer great tips for making the transition to your home as easy as possible.

On This Page

What Equipment Do I Need?

A list of suppies that you will need for your new foster friend include:

cloth collar
leash (preferably cloth rather than a retractable leash)
Lab Rescue ID tag or an ID tag with your home phone number
Crate (Lab Rescue will supply a crate if needed)
Food and water bowls just for your foster
Toys for your foster

Please note that Lab Rescue of the LRCP does not reimburse foster families for food, toys or any damage that might be caused by the dog.

How Long Will I Have my Foster Dog?

It is a common question to ask and a difficult one to answer. There is no set formula for how long you'll have your foster dog in your home. Typically, a foster can be with you for as short as a few days or as long as several weeks. Much depends upon the dog. Younger dogs tend to get adopted faster.

We encourage you to be patient. We understand that you're seeing the quirky and charming characteristics that make your foster lab a fabulous family pet. You probably can't understand why people aren't knocking down the door to get to him or her. Remember that we often have more labs waiting for their forever homes than we have applicants who are ready to adopt.

What If I Have an Emergency or Have to Go Away for a While?

Please contact your Foster Coordinator. They can arrange for an alternate foster to be arranged or we can move the dog to one of our vets for a short time if it's an emergency.

The more notice we have, the easier it is for us to arrange for an alternate foster home to take your foster lab, either for a short time or until he or she is adopted.

What Can I Expect When a New Lab Arrives in my Home?

Most of our foster dogs have experienced a great deal of stress by the time they reach your doorstep. They may have been in a situation where they were ignored, tied outside, played with too roughly, reprimanded loudly or never trained at all. They may have been strays who had been without food or water for a period of time. In short, they may be unsettled when they first arrive.

Take it slowly with your new foster lab.

Give him or her the chance to get to know you, your family, your other pets and your home.

A little bit of love and patience helps everything.

You can expect to see some signs of stress when your lab first arrives. Here's some common signs of stress in a lab:

panting
pacing
shedding
drinking alot of water (of course, you'll need to take more frequent breaks outside to allow the dog to eliminate)

If you have any questions or concerns, contact your Foster Coordinator.

How Will My Foster Lab Get Adopted?

There are two ways that labs get adopted through Lab Rescue:

An approved applicant comes to meet your foster lab in your home
Your foster gets adopted at an Adopt-A-Lab event

You play a key role in your foster lab being adopted regardless of whether they're adopted at an event or directly from your home.

Approved Applicants Visiting Your Foster at Your Home

All applicants are screened through a thorough reference and application process. Once an applicant has been interviewed and their references have been checked, they are approved to begin meeting labs available for adoption. Our volunteer adoption coordinators work with approved applicants to match their interests and personality traits to the labs we currently host.

A Lab Rescue Adoption Coordinator may call first to tell you about approved applicants who are interested in meeting your foster dog. They'll then pass on your contact information to the applicants so you can arrange a visit that works for both of your schedules.

When they come to visit the entire family is expected to attend. You are not hosting a social event but are just making yourself available to answer questions they may have.

Unless you have reservations about the match the approved applicants can take your foster dog home with them. They will have their own leash and collar.

Adopt-A-Lab Event

Lab Rescue hosts Adopt-A-Lab events once or twice a month. You and/or your foster lab are always welcome and encouraged to attend. Adopt-A-Lab events offer a great opportunity for your foster to meet their new forever family.

If you attend with your foster dog you can show the dog yourself so that anyone interested in adopting him or her can ask questions from the person who knows the dog the best.