Labrador Retriever Rescue-CT, Inc
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organizationP.O. Box 461
Bridgewater , CT 06752
Phone: 860-354-9098
Email: labrescuect@aol.com
LRRCT WILL NOT BE TAKING ON ANY NEW SURRENDERS FROM NOV. 24, 2008 - JAN 5, 2009
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PLEASE HELP ME!
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| Cole is a 6-yr-old loving and active boy who has been sidelined by an ACL tear in his rear leg. He is now getting the rehabilitation he needs thanks to his wonderful foster family and the following generous sponsors: Eric Suld, Thomas Foran, Claudia Sieber, Anne Bomford, Patricia Allen, and Andrew Labosier. Thank you to all these incredible people from Cole! He asks that if you would still like to donate, to please check out the story on his friend Buddy right here and open your heart. | Buddy is a 5 yr. old yellow male who appears sad and much older than his years. He was purchased as a puppy and named by the kids because that is what they wanted - a "buddy". But when the kids went away to school, Buddy ended up tied to a tree. Alerted by a neighbor to Buddy's plight, one of our volunteers rescued him in the midst of a thunderstorm. Because he was exposed to the elements, alone, bored and stressed, Buddy developed major skin issues that were compounded by many years of antibiotic and steroid use. Buddy's overall condition was extremely poor when he came into foster care. He had no hair on the interior of his body and blackened skin because of the high doseage of steroids. Although labs are a double-coated breed, Buddy is lucky for the coat that he has remaining on his head, neck and back. After doing a full medical work-up on Buddy, we discovered his thyroid was barely functioning, he had a staph and yeast infection of his skin, and poor liver and kidney function tied to long-term steroid use. Buddy is now in a very warm and nurturing foster home where he is being nursed back to health. He is on a special diet and medication for the yeast/staph infection, which because of the severity of the skin condition will take months to clear up. Thyroid meds will probably be lifelong. Now that he has been weaned off the steroids, we are hopeful that his kidneys and liver will come back on their own. Buddy's foster parents say that he is a sensitive, loving boy who delights in throwing his toys around, playing with his foster brother and staying close to his foster mom. Buddy's care is being sponsored by Eric Suld, and his lab boys, Cooper and Hunter. If you can lend a hand, use the Donate button below. |
OUR FEATURED LABS - SENSATIONAL SENIORS!
Dear Lab Lover,
Some of us seniors have found our forever homes and we are so grateful to our new families! These people knew there was something special about an older dog - we have so much left to give! Won't you take a look at our friends Jasper, Shadow & Scooby, Bruno, and Roxy? They are the best and need your love! Thanks!
Love,
Becky (aka Sunshine) and Cleopatra
Sunshine
**FLASH!! Sunshine has found her forever home! **
A note from Sunshine's new mom: Just a short update to let you know that Sunny aka ‘Becky’ is settling in well. I decided to give her a new name and she seems to respond to it well. I have been to the lovely dog park at New Canaan a few times now, and she happily speeds across the field when I call her name. She and Max are now fast friends – always lie side by side wherever they happen to be in the house, and happily sit next to each other outside on the lawn chewing on the same stick! She really is a delight to have in the home – snores quite loudly under my desk while I work, and crazily plays with the squeaky toys we have.
Cleopatra
** FLASH!! Cleo has found her forever home! **
She joins another senior chocolate sister, Emma, who her new mom Janne adopted when Emma was 8 yrs. old. They look like twin sisters and act like they've been together forever. Cleopatra can continue her favorite activities of swimming, retrieving and sleeping in bed with her head on the pillow. Janne sent us this update on the family's recent trip to Block Island:
"Cleo had a wonderful time on Block Island. We took her to the beach everyday with Emma. She has a lot of energy for a senior girl and they played together on the beach. Sometimes they would wade in a little and play tag with the waves. My girls and son in law just fell in love with her sweet and gentle ways. Thank you for this wonderful dog."
Thank YOU so much, Janne & Emma, for welcoming Cleopatra into your family! Thank you also to Cindy Kempkes for sponsoring Cleopatra. And many thanks to her foster family the Frenzels and their lab Pebbles who took such good care of Cleopatra until her forever family found her.
Jasper
JASPER IS ON LONG ISLAND. PLEASE SEE CONTACT INFORMATION BELOW:
If you can't already tell from the pictures, Jasper is a SWEETHEART with so much love to give!! He exudes goodness and is the best companion anyone could ask for. He is a big mush who gets along with dogs, cats and is wonderful with children... Jasper is the kind of dog anyone would feel blessed to have. If you're looking for a teddy bear to hug and a best friend to play with (he loves to swim!!), then Jasper is "the one." At 8 years young and healthy, he's perfect!! Please email DOGRESQR@yahoo.com for an application.
Shadow and Scooby
Scooby (12, Chocolate) and Shadow (10, Yellow) were orphaned after their beloved lifelong guardian passed away. They had been left behind, living in the empty home with a family member coming over to feed them. Rescued finally and getting the care they need, Scooby and Shadow are in a temporary foster home waiting for someone special to adopt them. Both dogs are SWEETHEARTS and need a forever home where they can stay together and find joy again...they sleep side by side, and are always close to each other. They will be by your side always and are happiest when they are touching you. If you have a big heart and unconditional love and would like to open your home to two much-deserving old dogs, Scooby and Shadow would surely love to have someone to share their lives with again...
Bruno
My name is Bruno, I'm an older gentleman, ~8-9yrs but I am still chasing tennis balls with the youngsters and can jump by myself into the SUV. I am great with other dogs, love kids, love to ride in the car and take long walks. I was abandoned at a school bus stop, imagine that! I guess I got distracted by all the attention of the kids that I didn't realize I was all by myself in a flash. Well, I spent a week in jail (aka the city pound) and when no family came for me, my foster mom showed up to take me home. I never smiled so big or wagged my tail so hard or got into her car so fast, as I did on my last day. Little did I know that I had a really close call, that that literally was my last day, if my foster mom didn't show up. Whew! My foster mom has made me forget that I don't have a family b/c her family has made me feel so much a part of theirs. I've never felt so loved, she gave me a bath first off, then I got a warm fluffy bed with toys. I get to play with other dogs and get alot of attention. I didn't eat in the shelter because I was so nervous, so my foster mom is making special meals for me. Even when I had to see the vet, my tail never stopped wagging, I am just soooo happy to be in a home again. I have perfect manners, want to please and how can you resist a lab that never stops wagging his tail.
Roxy
Although, Roxy is 12 years old, she is nowhere near retirement age. She is youthful, full of zest and still chasing her tennis balls with the exuberance of a much younger lab. She is a happy girl whose demeanor belies the recent sadness of the death of her owner and having his family turn her into a shelter. She was literally rescued within two hours of being euthanized, sadly because the shelter was full and she was labeled "old". It's a good thing Roxy doesn't read because she defies the image of "old"; she is young at heart, loves attention and welcomes just being a companion. If you are as young at heart as Roxy and want a devoted companion, please come meet her. She could just put some of the sunshine back in your life. Please e-mail for more information and an adoption application.
LAB LOVE SUCCESS STORIES
DASH - A Miracle Dog!
Dash is featured on a new MegaE educational website showing that dogs with MegaE may need a little more help from their human guardians but are still the greatest of companions living a normal life. Please paste in browser: http://www.caninemegaesophagus.org/MegaAction.html
SKYE - A Second Chance at Life and Love
HERSHEY – Finally Home
Hershey was an 18 month old Chocolate Lab who lost his home because his former owners had no time for him. Believe it or not, this was Hershey's third home already! His first home bought him as a pup but he was too much work so they gave him away to people. The second family let him run and he got lost. Animal Control picked him up and he ended up in a LI shelter. That owner never came for him, so he was adopted to a third home. By this time Hershey required more work, as he was a bigger pup, and with a new baby in the home, it was just too much. This time the owner called rescue and Hershey now has his forever home. A family of dog-lovers with big hearts and a willingness to make the commitment, they were just what Hershey needed. He sleeps in bed with them and LOVES the pool. He is now right in the middle of this great family…and finally home.
HERSHEY – Finally Home
Hershey was an 18 month old Chocolate Lab who lost his home because his former owners had no time for him. Believe it or not, this was Hershey's third home already! His first home bought him as a pup but he was too much work so they gave him away to people. The second family let him run and he got lost. Animal Control picked him up and he ended up in a LI shelter. That owner never came for him, so he was adopted to a third home. By this time Hershey required more work, as he was a bigger pup, and with a new baby in the home, it was just too much. This time the owner called rescue and Hershey now has his forever home. A family of dog-lovers with big hearts and a willingness to make the commitment, they were just what Hershey needed. He sleeps in bed with them and LOVES the pool. He is now right in the middle of this great family…and finally home.
CHANCE AND SUMMER – A Perfect Pair
What’s better than one great lab? Two great labs! Think of some things that come in pairs like a husband and wife, a pair of shoes, a pair of gloves, or how about a bonded pair of dogs? Why not adopt two dogs together? Bob and Becky were no strangers to adopting a pair when Chance and Summer came into their lives. After all, they had provided a loving lifetime home to two great sisters, Curry and Sage, who sadly had passed away at ages 15 and 16. One evening, shortly after they lost Sage, Becky and Bob were surfing the Internet trying to find an available pair. Bob discovered the Lab Rescue website, and there, before their eyes, was a bonded pair up for adoption. They downloaded the application form and e-mailed right away. Unfortunately, the dogs had already found homes. But they continued to faithfully check our listing. "All I want for Christmas is a pair of labs," Becky lamented to her husband. Her wish came true in December. A male and a female, ages 5 and 2, had been abandoned. "I found our dogs. Come look!" Becky yelled to Bob. Nine days later, Chance and Summer came to stay. Chance and Summer were worth the wait. Nothing can compare to the tail-wagging welcome they give at the end of the work day. Their warm, brown eyes are filled with love and gratitude to their new family. They seem to be thinking, "Thanks for keeping us together, Mom and Dad, and for giving us a second chance." Won’t you consider adopting an older dog or a pair? The rewards are many, and for sure, you won’t ever regret it!
SARGE – Old Dogs CAN Fly!
Below are excerpts from a wonderful letter written by Sarge’s new dad:
Dear Lab Rescue,
In early 2005, I was mourning the passing of my sweet 3-year-old lab whom I had since a puppy. My heart was broken and I wanted to try to move forward…I reached out to Lab Rescue and met Sarge and with that, the lives of all concerned have been so incredibly enriched. Sarge was 9 1/2 when I met him. I did not know how he would be able to keep up with my other lab (who was 2 years old at the time)…Well, after a couple hours of harmless posturing, Sarge and Sam are inseparable and it is my younger lab who has to keep up with Sarge who I fondly refer to as "The Old Man." At twelve years of age, Sarge still chases squirrels and rabbits and loves a good stick or an old shoe to chew on…Adopting Sarge is one of the greatest decisions I ever made. Everybody won......Sarge, Sam, me, Lab Rescue, and the world is a better place because of it. Everytime I look into Sarge's eyes, I know that he knows he was rescued and the love he gives and receives is even greater because of where he came from. Life is about taking chances, seizing the moment and making this place better. You folks at Lab Rescue are a blessing who gave me a gift that I can't imagine living life now without. Thank-you from my heart, Sam's heart, and the heart of Sarge, "The Old Man."
Sincerely, Paul
Goldie and BG - The Girls Club
We received this happy update from Goldie and BG’s new mom:
Dear Lab Rescue,
I want to thank you for the opportunity to welcome an amazing mother/daughter duo into my home. Goldie and her daughter, BG ("Baby Goldie"), had never been separated and the thought of a separation after the untimely death of their loving owner was unbearable. You were determined to keep them together, no small feat given that Goldie is 12 (going on 4!). This pair had to go to a home with a dog, so that when Goldie passes on her daughter won't be alone for the first time in her life. I wasn't on the lookout for two more Labs, but the enclosed picture shows how we've all adapted. My five-year old yellow Lab, Charily, accepted this pair immediately, and they readily included her in their circle. The three of them are amazing together, and it warms my heart to know that, when the inevitable happens to her mother, BG will continue to have a loving pack. I can't imagine life any other way.
Thanks, Margy
MEET OUR WORKING LABS
REGAN!
See Regan's story under our "Happy Tails". One little known fact----our rescue
labs have gone on to become working k-9's in the U.S. Park Service, U.N. Security, NY State Police & U.S Border Patrol----Regan's story is just one of many of our rescued labs successes.Our Newest Graduate 
MONTY!Monty's success is truly a Christmas Story...His family surrendered him to Manhattan ACC on Dec. 24, 2004 because he was too energetic and they didn't have time for him. He was only 12 weeks old! One of the rescue coordinators felt so sorry for him that she drove him from NYC to our rescue in CT on Christmas eve nite... Monty became one of the youngest labs accepted into the NY State Troopers Canine program. He was 4 months old when he arrived and had to be fostered by one of the Troopers until he was old enough for "class". He graduated November 9, 2005 from a 3 month intensive training program. He is trained in arson, bomb and drug detection. He will be on duty in Rensselaer County , New York.
CONGRATULATIONS...to our 3 new graduates of the NY State Police Canine Academy and our most recent placement with the U.S. Coast Guard, most aptly named "Triton". They and their handlers will be part of the United Nations security task force. We now have a total of six rescue labs on duty at the United Nations, three with the New York State Troopers, one with Texas State Trooper(trained in NY) and one with the United States Park Service. Our thanks to the NY State Trooper Canine program who only take labrador retrievers for their program from shelters or rescues. The labs that are selected must pass a rigorous physical evaluation and then pass a 3 month training program with their handler. These are the high energy dogs that need a job and thrive on going to work everyday with their handler. It is ironic that these are some of the same labs that were rescued from NY city shelters(whose lives were in jeopardy) and now they are canine officers trained in drug/bomb/explosive detection and search/rescue. Many of them patrolling airports, United Nations Building, Park Service as well as routine law enforcement .
NEWS AND UPDATES
********MEDICAL NEWS: Mutant Gene Detected in Labs Could Cause Death
**************
MINNEAPOLIS -– Researchers have identified a mutant gene carried by 30 percent of Labrador Retrievers that causes Exercise Induced Collapse.
The findings, based off of research at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, now allows breeders and dog owners to locate the gene, which can prove deadly for their pets.
This is the first naturally occurring mutation of this gene identified in a mammal, researcher Ned Patterson says.
"People were bringing their dogs in and vets couldn't figure out what was wrong with them," said Patterson, who is also an assistant professor of veterinary internal medicine and genetics at the university.
"There was no obvious biological clue of what led to a specific collapse."
An estimated three to five percent of Labs actually have EIC, which is often onset by heavy bouts of rigorous exercise.
Symptoms include a "wobbliness" in a Lab's hind legs, which eventually will give way, Patterson says.
If a dog displays these symptoms and is continuously exercised to a high degree, the symptoms can spread throughout the body and cause death.
Veterinary researchers and biologists aren't armed with a ready cure for the disease, which is the result of faulty nerve transmission.
But this scientific breakthrough will allow vets to identify the presence of the gene and take precautionary measures to prevent a collapse.
It could also lend to an eventual decrease in the percentage of affected Labs, as breeders can preemptively locate the gene in potential breeding dogs with simple blood tests.
"There have been a number of deaths caused by this and it is just really great to know that now this can be prevented," Patterson said.
Labs with the mutant gene have been located in all 50 states, in addition to Israel, Australia, New Zealand, England and Germany.
The gene has also been identified in Chesapeake Bay retrievers and Curly-Coated retrievers.
"[But] It is a lot less likely for this gene to be found in mixed breeds," Patterson said.
The team -- which also includes researchers from the University of California at San Diego -- is presently conducting studies to see if any other potential breeds could have "some degree of this" mutation, Patterson said.
But as the percentage of affected dogs is small, Lab owners shouldn't automatically assume that their wobbly-legged dogs are afflicted.
"There are definitely different things that could cause a collapse, like muscle diseases and neurological diseases," Patterson said.
Labs under the age of three are most at risk for collapsing.
If Labs are engaged in heavy exercise regimens, like running or hunting training, they should get tested by a local veterinarian, and have the blood work sent to the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.
"If you back the dogs off the triggers, they are unlikely to have an episode," Patterson said. "If you stop them as soon as they get wobbly, it isn't a big deal, and you can have a happy, healthy dog in every way."
For more information, visit www.vdl.umn.edu
********FOSTER HOMES DESPERATELY NEEDED**************
Due to the volume of wonderful labs in our program, we are in desperate need of foster homes. We have limited space right now in our current foster homes, as well as kennel space and are in danger of turning away labs at this point. Please look at our list and see if any one of our labs might be a guest in your home for a short while. Our usual adoption time is 2-3 weeks. Our mid range to senior labs are grateful for even the smallest kindness. Look into your own labrador's eyes and see if you would not want someone to step up to the plate if they ended up in some unfortunate situation. We supply food, crate if needed and any supplies. Fosters must be in the CT, NYC area. Foster application will be e-mailed upon request. We will only place a foster lab in a compatible situation for both the lab and the potential foster. If you cannot foster, please consider sponsoring one of our labs in boarding for any amount of time. Our labs would be most grateful!!
WHO WE ARE
Labrador Retriever Rescue-CT, Inc (LRRCT)is a 501(c)(3) non profit charity, dedicated to the rescue and rehoming of Labrador Retrievers that have been abandoned, lost or abused and found in shelters throughout the Northeast. The group was founded in 1996 and organized through long time participation with the Labrador Retriever Club, Inc (www.thelabradorclub.com/rescue.html)National Rescue Program. All LRRCT labs are for the most part purebred. We do accept some compatible "retriever" mixes but essentially the predominant look and temperament is one of a Labrador Retriever. Our labs come into our program from shelters, veterinarians and owner surrenders. They are given up because of family relocation, divorce, allergies, serious illness/death of the owner or simply because their owners do not have enough time for them All of our labs are evaluated for temperament and have been kid/cat/dog tested. All of our labs are spayed/neutered, up to date on immunizations and heartworm/lyme tested. Any medical issues/surgeries are taken care of prior to placement and fully disclosed to adopters.
ADOPTING, FOSTERING OR SPONSORING A LAB
LRRCT WILL NOT BE TAKING ON ANY NEW SURRENDERS FROM NOV. 24, 2008 - JAN 5, 2009
** New information for surrendering owners will be available soon **
We adopt to approved families in Connecticut, SE New York and southern Massachusetts. We require an adoption application, veterinary reference and home visit. Our application helps us to match you and your family's needs with those of our labs. It can be e-mailed or faxed to you. When we have a lab that we think might make a good match for you; an appointment is scheduled for you to meet your lab. Usually, you will be called to see just one lab and you will have to notify us within 24 hours of your intention to adopt.
All of our labs are adopted under a legal, binding contract. Our adoption fee is $300.00, which often only partially covers the full vetting and medical expenses incurred by our rescued labs. Rarely, no matter how carefully we match a lab and family, we are asked to take the lab back. If the placement is not working for either the family or the lab, the rescue lab must be returned to us. Lastly, LRRCT reserves the right to reclaim any rescue lab that becomes neglected, improperly cared for or is allowed to run free unsupervised. If you are not in a position to adopt but might be able to foster one of our labs, please contact us for a foster application. We carefully place our foster labs in a home that would be an appropriate match for them and the foster family. And lastly, if you are not in a position to adopt or foster, please consider sponsoring one of our labs in foster care. Donations can be made directly through our Pay Pal account or mail directly to LRRCT, Inc., PO Box 461, Bridgewater, CT 06752. We are a 501 (c)(3) non profit charitable organization and rely on the kindness of contributions to fund our mission of helping abandoned or surrendered labrador retrievers of good temperament find permanent homes. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Donations may be earmarked for the following funds: 1. General Fund, which funds day to day expenses of our labs, including medical expenses, food/foster care, boarding, supplies, and training. 2. Medical Fund which funds extraordinary surgeries , cancer treatment , long term illness management. 3. Daisy Fund. Named for a gallant senior lady, specifically for treatment of our senior labs(age 8 or older) requiring extra care due to age related illnesses. Our senior labs often require more vetting than our average adult labs plus treatment for geriatric illnesses. We waive or reduce the adoption fee substantially for our senior labs, as well as for special need labs. 100% of our donations are used towards our labs medical and foster care, including food and boarding expenses. No amount is too small...Please support us in our mission to help these wonderful labs.
SHOP FOR A CAUSE
Check out some wonderful lab-themed items from our special partners. A percentage of the proceeds from each sale is donated to our organization to help us continue our mission to rescue labs.
Etsy Silver Art
Zeppa Studios - Please use promo code LRRCT when ordering!
FAVORITE SITES
Please take a moment to visit some of our favorite sites: LABMED(www.labmed.org); LabradorLifeline (www.labradorlifeline.org);Best Friends Animal Sanctuary(www.bestfriends.org). LABMED and Labrador Life Line are organizations that provide funding for medical assistance to labs in need, especially those requiring extraordinary medical care while still in rescue. These organizations depend solely on donations and fundraising to support their mission objectives. We are also a member of the Mayor's Alliance for NYC Animals, Inc (www.animalalliancenyc.org) and a participating pet partner in Mattie's Fund(see link below). Their goal is to help NYC animals who are of good temperament and health get a second chance at adoption.
One of our favorite local shelters is Animal Welfare Society,Inc , New Milford, CT(www.animalwelfaresociety.homestead.com). It is a private, non-destroy shelter caring for abandoned animals in Fairfield & Litchfield Counties of CT.
PLEASE NOTE We are an all volunteer organization. We have jobs, families, understanding spouses, children & labs of our own plus a foster lab or two. Our first priority is "rescuing" the labs we are so committed to---this takes an enormous amount of manpower to evaluate at the shelter, transport from a shelter, vet & transport into foster care. We do not have the luxury of returning phone calls, unless it is an emergency surrender. If you need information, the quickest response will be through e-mail. Thank you for your patience.
Labrador Retriever Rescue-CT, Inc
P.O. Box 461
Bridgewater , CT 06752
Phone: 860-354-9098
Email:
labrescuect@aol.com
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
Our Adoptable Lab List
[Home] [Information] [Shelters] [Search]
Our Newest Graduate
MONTY!Monty's success is truly a Christmas Story...His family surrendered him to Manhattan ACC on Dec. 24, 2004 because he was too energetic and they didn't have time for him. He was only 12 weeks old! One of the rescue coordinators felt so sorry for him that she drove him from NYC to our rescue in CT on Christmas eve nite... Monty became one of the youngest labs accepted into the NY State Troopers Canine program. He was 4 months old when he arrived and had to be fostered by one of the Troopers until he was old enough for "class". He graduated November 9, 2005 from a 3 month intensive training program. He is trained in arson, bomb and drug detection. He will be on duty in Rensselaer County , New York.
CONGRATULATIONS...to our 3 new graduates of the NY State Police Canine Academy and our most recent placement with the U.S. Coast Guard, most aptly named "Triton". They and their handlers will be part of the United Nations security task force. We now have a total of six rescue labs on duty at the United Nations, three with the New York State Troopers, one with Texas State Trooper(trained in NY) and one with the United States Park Service. Our thanks to the NY State Trooper Canine program who only take labrador retrievers for their program from shelters or rescues. The labs that are selected must pass a rigorous physical evaluation and then pass a 3 month training program with their handler. These are the high energy dogs that need a job and thrive on going to work everyday with their handler. It is ironic that these are some of the same labs that were rescued from NY city shelters(whose lives were in jeopardy) and now they are canine officers trained in drug/bomb/explosive detection and search/rescue. Many of them patrolling airports, United Nations Building, Park Service as well as routine law enforcement .
NEWS AND UPDATES
********MEDICAL NEWS: Mutant Gene Detected in Labs Could Cause Death
**************
MINNEAPOLIS -– Researchers have identified a mutant gene carried by 30 percent of Labrador Retrievers that causes Exercise Induced Collapse.
The findings, based off of research at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, now allows breeders and dog owners to locate the gene, which can prove deadly for their pets.
This is the first naturally occurring mutation of this gene identified in a mammal, researcher Ned Patterson says.
"People were bringing their dogs in and vets couldn't figure out what was wrong with them," said Patterson, who is also an assistant professor of veterinary internal medicine and genetics at the university.
"There was no obvious biological clue of what led to a specific collapse."
An estimated three to five percent of Labs actually have EIC, which is often onset by heavy bouts of rigorous exercise.
Symptoms include a "wobbliness" in a Lab's hind legs, which eventually will give way, Patterson says.
If a dog displays these symptoms and is continuously exercised to a high degree, the symptoms can spread throughout the body and cause death.
Veterinary researchers and biologists aren't armed with a ready cure for the disease, which is the result of faulty nerve transmission.
But this scientific breakthrough will allow vets to identify the presence of the gene and take precautionary measures to prevent a collapse.
It could also lend to an eventual decrease in the percentage of affected Labs, as breeders can preemptively locate the gene in potential breeding dogs with simple blood tests.
"There have been a number of deaths caused by this and it is just really great to know that now this can be prevented," Patterson said.
Labs with the mutant gene have been located in all 50 states, in addition to Israel, Australia, New Zealand, England and Germany.
The gene has also been identified in Chesapeake Bay retrievers and Curly-Coated retrievers.
"[But] It is a lot less likely for this gene to be found in mixed breeds," Patterson said.
The team -- which also includes researchers from the University of California at San Diego -- is presently conducting studies to see if any other potential breeds could have "some degree of this" mutation, Patterson said.
But as the percentage of affected dogs is small, Lab owners shouldn't automatically assume that their wobbly-legged dogs are afflicted.
"There are definitely different things that could cause a collapse, like muscle diseases and neurological diseases," Patterson said.
Labs under the age of three are most at risk for collapsing.
If Labs are engaged in heavy exercise regimens, like running or hunting training, they should get tested by a local veterinarian, and have the blood work sent to the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.
"If you back the dogs off the triggers, they are unlikely to have an episode," Patterson said. "If you stop them as soon as they get wobbly, it isn't a big deal, and you can have a happy, healthy dog in every way."
For more information, visit www.vdl.umn.edu
********FOSTER HOMES DESPERATELY NEEDED**************
Due to the volume of wonderful labs in our program, we are in desperate need of foster homes. We have limited space right now in our current foster homes, as well as kennel space and are in danger of turning away labs at this point. Please look at our list and see if any one of our labs might be a guest in your home for a short while. Our usual adoption time is 2-3 weeks. Our mid range to senior labs are grateful for even the smallest kindness. Look into your own labrador's eyes and see if you would not want someone to step up to the plate if they ended up in some unfortunate situation. We supply food, crate if needed and any supplies. Fosters must be in the CT, NYC area. Foster application will be e-mailed upon request. We will only place a foster lab in a compatible situation for both the lab and the potential foster. If you cannot foster, please consider sponsoring one of our labs in boarding for any amount of time. Our labs would be most grateful!!
WHO WE ARE
Labrador Retriever Rescue-CT, Inc (LRRCT)is a 501(c)(3) non profit charity, dedicated to the rescue and rehoming of Labrador Retrievers that have been abandoned, lost or abused and found in shelters throughout the Northeast. The group was founded in 1996 and organized through long time participation with the Labrador Retriever Club, Inc (www.thelabradorclub.com/rescue.html)National Rescue Program. All LRRCT labs are for the most part purebred. We do accept some compatible "retriever" mixes but essentially the predominant look and temperament is one of a Labrador Retriever. Our labs come into our program from shelters, veterinarians and owner surrenders. They are given up because of family relocation, divorce, allergies, serious illness/death of the owner or simply because their owners do not have enough time for them All of our labs are evaluated for temperament and have been kid/cat/dog tested. All of our labs are spayed/neutered, up to date on immunizations and heartworm/lyme tested. Any medical issues/surgeries are taken care of prior to placement and fully disclosed to adopters.
ADOPTING, FOSTERING OR SPONSORING A LAB
LRRCT WILL NOT BE TAKING ON ANY NEW SURRENDERS FROM NOV. 24, 2008 - JAN 5, 2009
** New information for surrendering owners will be available soon **
We adopt to approved families in Connecticut, SE New York and southern Massachusetts. We require an adoption application, veterinary reference and home visit. Our application helps us to match you and your family's needs with those of our labs. It can be e-mailed or faxed to you. When we have a lab that we think might make a good match for you; an appointment is scheduled for you to meet your lab. Usually, you will be called to see just one lab and you will have to notify us within 24 hours of your intention to adopt.
All of our labs are adopted under a legal, binding contract. Our adoption fee is $300.00, which often only partially covers the full vetting and medical expenses incurred by our rescued labs. Rarely, no matter how carefully we match a lab and family, we are asked to take the lab back. If the placement is not working for either the family or the lab, the rescue lab must be returned to us. Lastly, LRRCT reserves the right to reclaim any rescue lab that becomes neglected, improperly cared for or is allowed to run free unsupervised. If you are not in a position to adopt but might be able to foster one of our labs, please contact us for a foster application. We carefully place our foster labs in a home that would be an appropriate match for them and the foster family. And lastly, if you are not in a position to adopt or foster, please consider sponsoring one of our labs in foster care. Donations can be made directly through our Pay Pal account or mail directly to LRRCT, Inc., PO Box 461, Bridgewater, CT 06752. We are a 501 (c)(3) non profit charitable organization and rely on the kindness of contributions to fund our mission of helping abandoned or surrendered labrador retrievers of good temperament find permanent homes. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Donations may be earmarked for the following funds: 1. General Fund, which funds day to day expenses of our labs, including medical expenses, food/foster care, boarding, supplies, and training. 2. Medical Fund which funds extraordinary surgeries , cancer treatment , long term illness management. 3. Daisy Fund. Named for a gallant senior lady, specifically for treatment of our senior labs(age 8 or older) requiring extra care due to age related illnesses. Our senior labs often require more vetting than our average adult labs plus treatment for geriatric illnesses. We waive or reduce the adoption fee substantially for our senior labs, as well as for special need labs. 100% of our donations are used towards our labs medical and foster care, including food and boarding expenses. No amount is too small...Please support us in our mission to help these wonderful labs.
MONTY!
CONGRATULATIONS...to our 3 new graduates of the NY State Police Canine Academy and our most recent placement with the U.S. Coast Guard, most aptly named "Triton". They and their handlers will be part of the United Nations security task force. We now have a total of six rescue labs on duty at the United Nations, three with the New York State Troopers, one with Texas State Trooper(trained in NY) and one with the United States Park Service. Our thanks to the NY State Trooper Canine program who only take labrador retrievers for their program from shelters or rescues. The labs that are selected must pass a rigorous physical evaluation and then pass a 3 month training program with their handler. These are the high energy dogs that need a job and thrive on going to work everyday with their handler. It is ironic that these are some of the same labs that were rescued from NY city shelters(whose lives were in jeopardy) and now they are canine officers trained in drug/bomb/explosive detection and search/rescue. Many of them patrolling airports, United Nations Building, Park Service as well as routine law enforcement .
NEWS AND UPDATES
********MEDICAL NEWS: Mutant Gene Detected in Labs Could Cause Death **************
MINNEAPOLIS -– Researchers have identified a mutant gene carried by 30 percent of Labrador Retrievers that causes Exercise Induced Collapse. The findings, based off of research at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, now allows breeders and dog owners to locate the gene, which can prove deadly for their pets. This is the first naturally occurring mutation of this gene identified in a mammal, researcher Ned Patterson says. "People were bringing their dogs in and vets couldn't figure out what was wrong with them," said Patterson, who is also an assistant professor of veterinary internal medicine and genetics at the university. "There was no obvious biological clue of what led to a specific collapse." An estimated three to five percent of Labs actually have EIC, which is often onset by heavy bouts of rigorous exercise. Symptoms include a "wobbliness" in a Lab's hind legs, which eventually will give way, Patterson says. If a dog displays these symptoms and is continuously exercised to a high degree, the symptoms can spread throughout the body and cause death. Veterinary researchers and biologists aren't armed with a ready cure for the disease, which is the result of faulty nerve transmission. But this scientific breakthrough will allow vets to identify the presence of the gene and take precautionary measures to prevent a collapse. It could also lend to an eventual decrease in the percentage of affected Labs, as breeders can preemptively locate the gene in potential breeding dogs with simple blood tests. "There have been a number of deaths caused by this and it is just really great to know that now this can be prevented," Patterson said. Labs with the mutant gene have been located in all 50 states, in addition to Israel, Australia, New Zealand, England and Germany. The gene has also been identified in Chesapeake Bay retrievers and Curly-Coated retrievers. "[But] It is a lot less likely for this gene to be found in mixed breeds," Patterson said. The team -- which also includes researchers from the University of California at San Diego -- is presently conducting studies to see if any other potential breeds could have "some degree of this" mutation, Patterson said. But as the percentage of affected dogs is small, Lab owners shouldn't automatically assume that their wobbly-legged dogs are afflicted. "There are definitely different things that could cause a collapse, like muscle diseases and neurological diseases," Patterson said. Labs under the age of three are most at risk for collapsing. If Labs are engaged in heavy exercise regimens, like running or hunting training, they should get tested by a local veterinarian, and have the blood work sent to the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. "If you back the dogs off the triggers, they are unlikely to have an episode," Patterson said. "If you stop them as soon as they get wobbly, it isn't a big deal, and you can have a happy, healthy dog in every way." For more information, visit www.vdl.umn.edu********FOSTER HOMES DESPERATELY NEEDED**************
Due to the volume of wonderful labs in our program, we are in desperate need of foster homes. We have limited space right now in our current foster homes, as well as kennel space and are in danger of turning away labs at this point. Please look at our list and see if any one of our labs might be a guest in your home for a short while. Our usual adoption time is 2-3 weeks. Our mid range to senior labs are grateful for even the smallest kindness. Look into your own labrador's eyes and see if you would not want someone to step up to the plate if they ended up in some unfortunate situation. We supply food, crate if needed and any supplies. Fosters must be in the CT, NYC area. Foster application will be e-mailed upon request. We will only place a foster lab in a compatible situation for both the lab and the potential foster. If you cannot foster, please consider sponsoring one of our labs in boarding for any amount of time. Our labs would be most grateful!!
WHO WE ARE
ADOPTING, FOSTERING OR SPONSORING A LAB
SHOP FOR A CAUSE
Check out some wonderful lab-themed items from our special partners. A percentage of the proceeds from each sale is donated to our organization to help us continue our mission to rescue labs.
Etsy Silver Art
Zeppa Studios - Please use promo code LRRCT when ordering!
FAVORITE SITES
Please take a moment to visit some of our favorite sites: LABMED(www.labmed.org); LabradorLifeline (www.labradorlifeline.org);Best Friends Animal Sanctuary(www.bestfriends.org). LABMED and Labrador Life Line are organizations that provide funding for medical assistance to labs in need, especially those requiring extraordinary medical care while still in rescue. These organizations depend solely on donations and fundraising to support their mission objectives. We are also a member of the Mayor's Alliance for NYC Animals, Inc (www.animalalliancenyc.org) and a participating pet partner in Mattie's Fund(see link below). Their goal is to help NYC animals who are of good temperament and health get a second chance at adoption.
One of our favorite local shelters is Animal Welfare Society,Inc , New Milford, CT(www.animalwelfaresociety.homestead.com). It is a private, non-destroy shelter caring for abandoned animals in Fairfield & Litchfield Counties of CT.
PLEASE NOTE We are an all volunteer organization. We have jobs, families, understanding spouses, children & labs of our own plus a foster lab or two. Our first priority is "rescuing" the labs we are so committed to---this takes an enormous amount of manpower to evaluate at the shelter, transport from a shelter, vet & transport into foster care. We do not have the luxury of returning phone calls, unless it is an emergency surrender. If you need information, the quickest response will be through e-mail. Thank you for your patience.
Labrador Retriever Rescue-CT, Inc
P.O. Box 461
Bridgewater , CT 06752
Phone: 860-354-9098
Email:
labrescuect@aol.com
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
Our Adoptable Lab List
[Home] [Information] [Shelters] [Search]
PLEASE NOTE We are an all volunteer organization. We have jobs, families, understanding spouses, children & labs of our own plus a foster lab or two. Our first priority is "rescuing" the labs we are so committed to---this takes an enormous amount of manpower to evaluate at the shelter, transport from a shelter, vet & transport into foster care. We do not have the luxury of returning phone calls, unless it is an emergency surrender. If you need information, the quickest response will be through e-mail. Thank you for your patience.
Labrador Retriever Rescue-CT, Inc
P.O. Box 461
Bridgewater , CT 06752
Phone: 860-354-9098
Email:
labrescuect@aol.com
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
Our Adoptable Lab List
[Home] [Information] [Shelters] [Search]
Labrador Retriever Rescue-CT, Inc
P.O. Box 461
Bridgewater , CT 06752
Phone: 860-354-9098
Email: labrescuect@aol.com
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
Our Adoptable Lab List
[Home] [Information] [Shelters] [Search]