Foster Info

Every week we receive hundreds of pleas to save Labs in desperate need, but we can’t help them without YOU. Without foster homes, we can’t answer their prayers. Please help us save more lives by becoming a foster parent! Have you considered fostering but aren't quite sure what it's all about? We have answers to your questions ~

What is a foster home & what do they do?

A foster home provides temporary, in-home care for Labs who are in need of a forever home. Foster homes make it possible for MLRR to rescue homeless Labs from a variety of situations by providing these dogs with temporary care and love until they can be adopted.

Why are foster homes needed?

We can only rescue as many dogs as we have room for. Foster homes help us maximize the number of dogs rescued and they also help to care for Labs recovering from or in need of minor surgery, or dogs needing one-on-one behavior rehabilitation.

What does it cost?

Nothing! MLRR covers all expenses including medical care, food, treats, toys, a collar & leash, crate, bedding…we provide everything your foster dog needs.

I’m in! How do I get started?

Submit a Foster Application.

Once we receive your application, we will review it and set up a home visit with one of our volunteers. During the home visit, you can get all of your questions answered in detail, and other aspects of fostering can be discussed. Fostering a rescued Lab can be an incredibly exciting and rewarding experience.

After you have been approved, you will be matched with a foster dog based on the dog’s needs and compatibility with you, your lifestyle and your existing pets.

We tell our foster families everything we know about each dog. Sometimes the information is limited, particularly if the dog is coming from a shelter. We temperament test our dogs before taking them into rescue to be as sure as we can that the dogs are not aggressive toward people or other dogs; however, as with any dog, we can make no guarantees. We do not take dogs with any known history of biting.

We ask that while the foster dog is in your care, you treat for him or her as part of your family. Fostering a dog generally lasts 2 weeks to a few months, determined mostly by the health of the foster dog. Fostering may sometimes involve dogs that are not housebroken or that have not had much training.

During the fostering process, advice and assistance is available from our MLRR volunteer team and our network of positive, force-free trainers.

If you are considering adopting a rescued Lab for yourself, please be aware that foster homes cannot adopt a Lab from MLRR within 12 months of the time they start fostering. If your primary goal is to adopt a Lab, then please complete an Adoption Application instead of a foster application.

If you are interested in fostering (and we hope you are), please complete a Foster Application.

There is nothing more wonderful than seeing your foster dog go home with the “perfect” adoptive family, and knowing he will be cared for and loved for the rest of his life.

Please consider opening your heart and your home today.