How Rescue Works

Good rescue organizations will evaluate a dog before accepting him/her (medically, behaviorally, and for breed confirmation), rehabilitate if necessary, and place the animal only when he/she is ready and to a home that matches and is realistic about the commitment necessary to provide the dog with the best home possible.

When Great Lakes is contacted about a Lab who needs a new home, one of our volunteers identifies the dog as primarily Lab, tests the dogs temperament and verifies vaccinations, training, etc. prior to accepting the dog into the program. The dog is then transported to a foster home. A veterinary exam is scheduled, including a heartworm check, all inoculations, and the dog is spayed or neutered if necessary. During the fostering period, the foster family learns about the dog's personality and current level of training. Professional training is also provided if required. Because they become so knowledgeable about the Lab in their care, we ask foster families to speak directly with prospective adopters who are interested in the dog, and arrange for them to meet the dog, usually in the foster family's home. The more time and effort that go into fostering, the sooner the dog will be adopted and the better companion s/he will be.

All dogs are evaluated for temperament. We do not accept any dog with a history of biting or other aggressive behavior.

Why Rescue A Lab?

Labs who have been uprooted from their happy homes or have not had the best start in life are more likely to bond very completely and deeply with their new people. Those who have lost their families through death, divorce or lifestyle change go through a terrible mourning process. But, once attached to a new loving family, they seem to want to please as much as possible to make sure they are never homeless again. Those Labs that are just learning about the good life and good people seem to bond even deeper. They know what life on the streets, on the end of a chain, or worse is all about, and they revel and blossom in a nurturing, loving environment. Most rescues make exceptionally affectionate and attentive pets and extremely loyal companions.

Unfortunately, many folks think dogs that end up in rescue are all genetically and/or behaviorally inferior. But, it is not uncommon for us to get $500-$1,000 dogs that have either outlived their usefulness or their novelty with impulsive owners who considered their dog a possession rather than a friend or member of the family, or simply did not really consider the time, effort and expense needed to be a dog owner. Choosing a rescue dog over a purchased pup will not solve the pet overpopulation problem (only responsible pet owners and breeders can do that), but it does give many of them a chance they otherwise would not have. But, beyond doing a "good deed", adopting a rescue dog can be the best decision and addition to the family you ever made.

Where do the rescued dogs come from?

All GLLR are pure-bred to the best of our knowledge. While many come from shelters (these are our priority), others are surrendered by their owners for a variety of reasons (allergies, change in life situations, owner's death or illness, owner lack of commitment, etc.) Some have been abused; some have medical conditions; some were strays; all of them are very lovable and affectionate. You will be advised of any concerns so you can make a well-informed decision as to whether a particular Lab is the right dog for your situation.

What are the requirements to adopt a dog from GLLR?

We do not adopt out as a gift or surprise -- the applicant must retain ownership of the dog or it must be returned to GLLR.
All persons living in the home must be present at the home visit. This includes any day care providers even if the nanny/sitter does not live in the home.
If you have other pets in your home, your vet will be contacted to ensure that you have kept the animals up to date on vaccines and preventatives and that they feel you are a responsible pet owner.
If you do not own your living space, written permission and acknowledgement by your landlord is required.
You must have a fence (either physical or electric). Additionally, you must have the dog live indoors with you -- outdoor dog kennels and tie outs are not acceptable to GLLR.
You must live in the greater Chicagoland area (including southeastern Wisconsin and northwestern Indiana). We must visit your home and can only go so far.
We recommend basic obedience lessons for rescued dogs. In some cases, this is actually a requirement because of the dogs previous situation and to encourage bonding.
If you wish to adopt a puppy under 8 months old, you must be home (or be able to come home to let the puppy out) at midday. You must be aware of the significant time commitment to bringing a new "baby" into your home.

How much is the adoption fee?

Our adoption fee is normally $275.00 for puppies and Labs up to 6 years old. For dogs over 6 years, the fee is $225. This may vary depending upon the individual dog. Please discuss the donation with your Great Lakes Representative.
If a returning adopter in good standing wishes to adopt a second dog within 6 months of the initial adoption, we will offer a discounted fee.

What is included in the adoption fee?

For your money, you will get a dog that has been sterilized (spayed or neutered), brought current on all vaccinations including rabies, received a heartworm test and cure/preventatives (whichever is necessary). For strays, a complete exam by our vet will advise us if your new lab faces any known medical issues. For surrendered Labs, we confirm with the dog's prior vet any medical conditions and verify that they are current on all tests and shots. Basic obedience training is provided for all rescued Labs.

And, of course, you will receive the joy of a Great Lab that has been specifically placed in your loving home according to your requirements and our assessment of your family situation.

What can I expect from GLLR after I adopt my new Lab?

Our goal is to make sure our rescue Labs never have to uprooted again. We are here to help in any way we can, just ask! 

A GLLR representative will be contacting you within 10 days of the adoption of your new Lab to make sure all is going well.  However, if you have any questions or concerns prior to that time, please contact us.  We are happy to help with the transition of your new friend. 

How do I go about getting a lab from your organization?

The first step is to complete an application on line (click here). Because we are a strictly volunteer based organization (with NO paid staff), we ask that you be patient and allow 10 days for a response. However, if you do not receive a response to your application or inquiry, please feel free to call us at 708-572-4552.

Upon receipt of the completed application, one of the Board Members will contact you as a pre-screening. They will go over your application via the phone and get any additional information/clarification. Following this phone call, your home will be visited by one of our volunteers. They may bring a dog with them to see how your family and other pets in the home react to a new presence. The dog they bring may, or may not, be available for adoption.

The next step is approval. At this time, the volunteer who did the home visit will work with the Board in determining what type of Lab is best suited for your home and environment. A meeting with a currently adoptable dog who best meets the needs of the family is arranged. If the family and volunteer and Board Member are comfortable with the Lab, the dog may be adopted at that time. An adoption contract is completed and the adoption fee is collected. You will receive a fact sheet about your Lab that has been filled out by the fostering family as they know the dog best.

Approximately 10 days after the dog is placed in your home, you will get a follow-up call to see how things are going. At that point, you will also receive your rabies certificate and information on how to change the registration to your name and county.