Labrador Rescue Inc. is an Australian dog rescue organisation, established in 2007 in Canberra, ACT. Labrador Rescue is a Registered Charity, and all donations are tax deductible.
Our Founder Katherine MacDonald has overseen the rescue of more than 2000 dogs in crisis. Since starting a fledgling rescue dog organisation, our network has grown to include over a hundred foster carers in five states and territories, a network of vets providing discounted vet care, and a team of businesses, providing financial aid, necessities and professional support. Labrador Rescue is now one of Australia’s largest and most efficient dog rescue groups. We are proud to be trusted by Australian City Councils to aid in rescuing dogs and providing legal testimony in animal cruelty cases, and in the case of overbreeding violations.
Our Mission
Our aim is to rescue abandoned, abused, neglected and unwanted Labrador Retrievers and match them with the right loving home. Our goal is to bring awareness to the general public on the detrimental outcome of puppy farming and the sale of puppies/dogs in pet shops.
Our Dog Rescue Group
What makes our dog rescue group different to other organisations? As we’ve grown, the Labrador Rescue group has maintained the highest standards and strictest policies on potential adoptive families. Our dedicated matching team carefully considers specific information about a dog and its prospective adopter to ensure they meet each other’s needs. This is how we’ve achieved such an impressive record for successful adoptions, and what makes our rescue dogs safer, happier and more loved.
No dog is turned away from Labrador Rescue due to age or illness.
Who We Are
The Labrador Rescue organisation is run solely by volunteers who donate their time and open their homes to our rescue dogs. Since its inception, Labrador Rescue has rehomed over 2000 Labradors (and the occasional Golden Retriever, Maremma, and one or two Labracats) into carefully selected forever homes.
- 100+ foster families
- 10 matching team members
- 15 state co-ordinator team members
- 10 management volunteers
- 8 board members
- 1 very tired GM
WE ARE ALL VOLUNTEERS
Volunteer for Labrador Rescue
Where Do the Rescue Dogs Come From?
The Labradors we rescue mostly come from the pound and animal shelters. We save dogs from pounds all across Australia. These dogs would otherwise be put down without ever getting their second chance at life.
We also take in Labradors that are surrendered directly to us when people can no longer look after their dogs.
Do You Save Them All?
While we would like to save them all, we are restricted by the number of foster homes and carers we have available to us. It is only through the generosity of our foster carers that we have these safe houses.
Do you Rehome Vicious Dogs?
We only take animals that are suitable for rehoming. The dog must be sociable and display a good temperament. In this regard, you can take comfort that our dogs are road-tested and there won’t be any nasty surprises.
Is there an Adoption Fee?
Most of our dogs have a $200- $1000 adoption fee, depending on the age of the dog. This fee recovers our rescue and fostering costs which include:
- vet fees for desexing
- treatments where there are injuries or an illness
- microchipping
- vaccination
- heartworm and intestinal worm treatments
- transport from pounds to foster homes
- ongoing food costs
- bedding and toys
- leads, collars and other incidentals.
Our adoption fees are reasonable, and you can also take pride in the fact that you’ve saved a life that is very much deserving of a second chance!