READY TO WELCOME A RESCUED DOG?
Adopting a dog is a big decision. We’re here to help! This section provides answers to common questions to guide you through the adoption process.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Please visit Your Path to Adoption for adopting a rescued dog by clicking here.
Our adoption process timeline should only take a few days. Please check your spam. You should receive an update from our adoption team within a few days of applying, but it may have gone to spam. If it’s been a week or long, you can email adoptions@labsandmore.org with any questions!
The average processing time for approving your application is normally about 7 days. Please see the link above for more info.
No, an adoption coach will discuss your living situation and may ask for follow-up photos based on that conversation or for clarification. Generally, we trust that you are providing true and accurate information about your home.
We adopt to many families who rent. You will need to review your rental agreement and let us know what breed, age, and size of dog you are approved to adopt.
Your Adoption Coach is there to guide you and will offer suggestions on dogs that could be a potential fit for your family but that is not your only option. We may guide you away from certain dogs based on our knowledge of that particular dog.
Applications are received hourly and therefore families may be ahead of you in the adoption process and want the same dog you do. So the dog you list might not be available. We suggest you get approved to adopt, learn about the dogs we have and then select the dog the best matches with you and your family to meet.
Sorry this is really not a good idea and we do not allow our dogs to be given as gifts. Exceptions can be made if it is a child who is going to participate in the selection.
If it has been over a year since you adopted with us, please submit another Adoption Questionnaire so that we can ensure we have accurate and updated information.
You must have Landlord approval to adopt if you are a renter.
Yes, as long as the dog is the right fit. Labs and More Dog Rescue works with families in all types of living situations. With that being said, we might determine that some dogs (due to age, size, or energy level) might not work in a home without a yard. Your Adoption Coach will work with you to find a dog that is a fit for your home and lifestyle.
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR DOGS
Our dogs come from some of the hardest of situations. We take in many injured dogs, moms who are pregnant and living on the streets and dogs on their last days in shelters. We are not breed specific or shelter specific. We save dogs who need us the most.
We rescue dogs who need a chance at hope and often life. Dogs dumped on the streets, left in night drops, or turned in at shelters who rarely know anymore about the dog then where they were found. We are happy to share information about the dog from the time they have been in our care.
We love all breeds of dogs and are not breed snobs! You will find many different breeds although more of our dogs favor the larger mixed breeds.
We work with our dog trainers, Veterinarians and Volunteers to do our best at estimating the breed and the age of our dogs.
You can find out this type of information by reading bio’s of the dogs on our dog page. Most adult dogs currently being fostered will share if they are house trained in their current environment. Puppies 8-12 weeks of age are rarely house trained as they are usually living as a litter.
We don’t have a list to place you on, but we recommend checking out site weekly for newly posted dogs, or upcoming adoption events. We also work with a small breed rescue who may be better suited to your needs. Check out the available dogs at No Wagging Tails Left Behind Rescue at www.nwtlb.org.
You can find this information by reading the bio’s of the dogs. Please also know these are animals and they will and can react differently in new environments.
We always have puppies. However, many times they are in the process of being adopted. It is best to get approved and ready to adopt so when the next litter becomes available you are ready to adopt.
Rarely do we know both the mom and dad of a litter, that said we base our estimates on the size of the puppies and the mom. If you have size restrictions it is best to adopt an older puppy who is closer to full grown or adopt from a litter where we know both the mom and the dad.
Puppies are ready to adopt at 8+ weeks of age or older. They must be 8 weeks of age to be spayed or neutered.
As with all our dogs we do our best to estimate the breed of the puppies based on what we know. Most litters come in with a mom but rarely do we know who the dad was.
MEETING AND ADOPTING A DOG
You’re approved to adopt! When you’re approved, that is the best part where we work with you in setting up a meet and greets with dogs or puppies on your list. Most of our dogs are in Foster Homes, so you may be contacted by the foster parent to schedule a place and time to meet the dog. Some of our dogs are at our Rescue Ranch in Valley Center, so the team there may contact you to schedule a time to come up and meet them. We also invite you to attend our Rescue A Life Adoption Events held in San Diego, most Saturdays. Be sure to check out the event page for dates and time of Adoption Events. Our adoption team will send you notification of the many dogs each Adoption Event so you can be prepared to meet several dogs in one day. Please visit our events page by clicking here.
Our Rescue Ranch is not open to the public at this time. If the dog you’re interested in meeting is housed there, the team will contact you to schedule a private meet with the dog.
We generally do one meet at a time, but we love to know all the dogs you’re interested in since some may already on their way to a different home. Let your adoption coach know which litters you’d like to meet and order of preference. Our adoptions team will connect with you on the next steps.
Interest in our dogs varies, so to be fair to all parties, we have created Waitlists for our dogs and puppies. Once approved, you will receive an email informing you that you have been placed on a waitlist. As the dogs become available, we will let you know if you are next to meet the dog or puppy. We go by the best fit based on what we’ve learned about the dogs by the time they’re ready for adoption – we do not go by first come, first served.
We are not able to hold dogs. The day you meet and adopt your dog you will be bringing them home with you.
Now is probably not the best time for you to adopt. There will be many more wonderful dogs for you to adopt when you return.
We are not set up to handle this type of adoption.
As long as your dog is up-to-date on vaccinations and is dog friendly and comfortable meeting dogs on leash, we can arrange for dog-to-dog introductions. Please discuss this with the foster prior to bringing your dog to the meeting.
That day! Your dog will be ready to go home with you. Be sure to bring a leash and a crate for transportation home.
ADOPTION DONATION
So much! We are a non-profit Volunteer Organization; generous donations pay for our expenses through many fundraising events. Your dog has received care at one of our locations that provided food, exercise, baths, transportation, and a bed to sleep on, all paid for by donations. On top of that, we also provide medical care to include in most situations: Spay/Neuter, all needed Vaccinations, Medicine, Veterinary exams, Medical Care including any surgeries or treatment, Fecal Testing, 4DX, Flea Treatment, and Worming. We are committed to transparency in our operations, ensuring that every donation is used for the care of our animals. All of this far exceeds the Adoption Donation amount.
For an outline of Adoption Donations please click here.
It might seem expensive to adopt a dog when shelters and rescues often charge adoption fees. Here’s a breakdown of where those fees go:
- Comprehensive Medical Care: Rescued dogs often need vaccinations, spaying/neutering, parasite prevention, and treatment for existing health conditions. Adoption fees help cover these costs to ensure your new pup is healthy and ready to join your family.
- Daily Needs: Shelters and rescues provide food, water, bedding, and enrichment for the dogs in their care. Adoption fees contribute to these ongoing expenses.
- Matching Perfect Pairs: Matching the right dog with the adopter takes time and resources. Fees help support adoption counselors dedicated to interviewing potential adopters and recommending suitable canine companions, ensuring a smooth and successful adoption process.
- Saving More Lives: Adoption fees allow rescues to continue their life-saving mission by providing shelter, care, and a second chance for future abandoned dogs.
By adopting, you’re not just getting a great dog, you’re contributing to a cause that helps countless animals in need. You can take pride in your decision to adopt.Some rescues may offer financial assistance programs or waived fees for senior dogs or those with special needs.Consider contacting your local shelter or rescue to learn more about their adoption fees and any financial aid options they might have.
We generally adoption our dogs to families after everyone in the household has had a meet with the dog. There are rare exceptions, but please contact our Adoptions team if you have an unique situation that we should consider. You can email Adoptions@labsandmore.org with any questions!
POST ADOPTION
Please review your Adoption Agreement. Within ten (10) days of adopting your dog, an email will be sent to the address you used for your adoption. If you do not receive an email from us, please check your spam folder and then send us an email at doginfo@labsandmore.org with any questions!
Upon adoption, you should review the Adoption Paperwork we emailed you. This will guide you on the necessary care for your new pet. If you adopt a puppy, timely vaccinations are crucial for its health. We recommend a puppy visit within 2 weeks and an adult visit within 30-60 days.
The paperwork you received upon adoption includes a list of Veterinarians for your reference. If you need it resent, please email us at doginfo@labsandmore.org . We strongly advise you to research and find a highly qualified Veterinarian with good reviews for your dog’s health and well-being.
The paperwork you received when you adopted included a list of Trainers for your reference. Email us at doginfo@labsandmore.org if you want us to send that to you. We suggest you research and find a highly qualified Trainer with good reviews.
Please review the Adoption Agreement for information regarding the return of your dog. You will need to complete the Owner Surrender form; please click here. You cannot give the dog to any other person or organization.
ABOUT LABS AND MORE RESCUE
Labs and More Rescue has been making a difference in the lives of dogs and their families for over 13 years. Since our founding in 2011, our dedicated volunteers have rescued over 15,000 dogs in San Diego County.
Your donations go directly to the care of our dogs. Over 95% of our expenses of our expenses are directly related to the day to day care of the dogs, the remainder is for services like insurance and legal feeds. Our group is run by volunteers with no paid employees.
That is incredibly generous of you to consider Labs and More Rescue in your estate planning! Your legacy gift will ensure Leaving countless dogs continue to receive the care and love they deserve. We’ve be happy to provide you with the nectary information to get you started. You can email doginfo@labsandmore.org with any questions!
Absolutely! Labs and More Rescue in San Diego is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. This means your adoption fees and any donations you make are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. We recommend consulting with your tax adviser for specific guidance.
Looking to make a difference in the lives of rescued dogs? We’d love to have you on our team! Here’s how to get started:
- Visit our website at https://labsandmore.org/why-labs-and-more/and learn more about who we are and the amazing work we do.
- Head over to our “Become a Volunteer” page and fill out the Volunteer Agreement.
- Our Volunteer Manager will be in touch to discuss your interests and find the perfect volunteer opportunity for you!