of East Tennessee, Inc.
A Moment to Rescue...A Lifetime to Love...
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of East Tennessee, Inc. A Moment to Rescue...A Lifetime to Love... |
PLEASE
NOTE: If you are wanting to surrender your dog, please go to the Intake
Form that we require for all Owner Surrenders.
We
are constantly updating our list of dogs, please check the available
page frequently!
We are always in dire need of foster homes. PLEASE help save dogs by agreeing to foster a Lab! Contact Linda at lots_of_labs@yahoo.com or Betsy at chocolate.moose@earthlink.net if you can help.
Do you hate to see the dogs in the shelter, but don't want to commit to another family member? Try fostering! All that is needed is love and care. The foster dogs are screened by rescue volunteers and shelters and then fully vetted prior to entering a foster home. All that is required is love and care. As a foster home, you have the final say on an adoptive family after they have been through the screening process. Please contact Linda if you can help, even short-term!
Lab Rescue Success Story
On June 26, 2007, I adopted Nestle, a chocolate Labrador retriever
from the Labrador Retriever Rescue of East Tennessee. I wanted a lab because
I have friends who own labs and I knew and have seen that this breed makes a
terrific companion animal. I also knew that since this breed was specifically
bred to be a companion animal, I needed to provide a place in my home where
Nestle could be close to me. As one of my friends advised me, “The worst thing
you can do to a lab is leave it alone in the yard—labs go crazy if they cannot
be close to their human companions.” I also knew that it was important to come
up with a plan for daily exercise since this breed is active and loves to go
outside to walk, run, and play. Understanding all of these things about the
Labrador Retriever’s temperament, and my willingness to accommodate these traits,
has helped my adoption go smoothly.
I also knew that I wanted to adopt a lab from the Labrador Retriever Rescue
of East Tennessee rather than purchase a puppy. I’m a librarian and professor
at Maryville College and at Maryville College, one of the core lessons that
we teach our students is, “Be Successful by Making a Difference.” I can think
of no better way of making a difference in this world than by adopting and caring
for a dog that has had an unfortunate beginning to life. These are beautiful
animals that need love; they deserve a good home and a great life. When I saw
Nestle’s picture, I knew he was for me. I was even more convinced when I read
his description and learned that he was a special needs dog. Nestle is missing
his rear right leg! However, if you ever get to meet Nestle and spend any time
with him, he will quickly prove to you that he can run and play just like his
four-legged cousins!
Going into the adoption process, I also recognized that there are many benefits
to adopting a dog from a rescue organization. Many of these benefits were the
result of the work of Michelle, Nestle’s foster mother who works with the Labrador
Retriever Rescue of East Tennessee. Michelle rescued Nestle from the shelter
and worked with him several months. By the time I adopted Nestle, he was completely
housebroken, walked well on a leash, and knew basic skills. He was also microchipped
and up to date on his shots. Since Nestle is older, he is past the destructive
traits often seen in puppies (i.e. chewing). Although this may not be true for
all lab rescues, Nestle is surprisingly calm. On our first few days together,
he was a bit timid, but once he adjusted to his new home, he seemed very happy.
Basically, all I needed to do was spend time and build trust with Nestle. I
would recommend that if a person is serious about adoption, to make time by
taking a vacation so that they can work with 
and
get to know their dog.
For me (and I think for Nestle), this adoption has been a great experience.
I’ve enjoyed watching Nestle’s confidence grow bit-by-bit each day. Nestle now
has many friends in our community (two-legged and four-legged); he is never
without a friend. Whenever anyone asks about his missing leg, I simply tell
them that “he came that way,” or, as I told one woman on a day when Nestle and
I were walking in the park and when I was feeling especially witty, “Oh, he
must have left it at home!” Humor is a great ice-breaker! Finally, special thanks
to Becky with the Labrador Retriever Rescue of East Tennessee. Along with Michelle,
the foster mother, Becky contributed to the success of this adoption by being
there to answer questions and to provide support. For the first few weeks of
the adoption, I communicated my fears and concerns about being a “new dad” and
Becky and Michelle were there to let me know that everything was OK and that
I was doing everything right.
I know I’ve made an important difference in this world every morning when I
get up and see a happy chocolate face staring at me, waiting to go for our early
morning walk. It’s a great feeling--one that I hope to experience for many years
to come.
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Labrador Retriever Rescue of East Tennessee is a
non-profit organization. We are a group of volunteers who rescue purebred
Labrador Retrievers (and occasional, exceptional Lab mixes) from animal shelters
and dogs who are homeless and place them in appropriate, forever homes. We are
also involved with educating the public about the Labrador Retriever breed and
their characteristics and needs. In addition, we participate in bringing
attention to irresponsible breeding and pet ownership and the vast pet
overpopulation problem. |
| The Labrador Retriever is consistently included
in the top 10 dogs on the AKC's list of most popular breeds in our country,
usually, as in 1999, coming in as the number one most popular breed. This has
resulted in over breeding and a large number of dogs who need our help. We take
in Labs from animal shelters, from owners who can no longer keep their dogs,
from puppy mills, and we take in Labs who have been found, abandoned. |
| When a dog enters our rescue program, it is
checked by a vet, given appropriate vaccinations, tested for heartworm and put
on preventive, and spayed or neutered. Most dogs are then placed in foster homes
where they are evaluated, house and crate trained, socialized, and treated as a
valued member of the foster family. Many dogs also receive some basic obedience
work while they are with a foster family. |
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Occasionally a dog will remain at a shelter or with the person who found the dog
while we attempt to place it. Labrador Retriever Rescue of East Tennessee
always needs volunteer help! We need volunteers who can foster Labs, help with
transportation, create newsletters, help with paper work, and provide dog
evaluations. We also welcome assistance with our periodic fund raisers. Please
contact one of the ET Lab Rescue Contacts. |
How else can you help Lab Rescue?
| THANK YOU TO OUR ET LAB RESCUE VETS!!!!!! Lab Rescue of East Tennessee would like to extend its thank yous and gratitude to the Vets that work with our program: |
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| Animal
Hospital of Anderson County |
Companion
Animal Hospital, Dr. David Gayk |
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