Lab Rescue options in KY

All,
My sweet almost 15 year old lab, Hershey went to heaven today. I am beyond heartbroken. She gave me so much in her almost 15 years on earth. I can't imagine life without her right now and I can't imagine going forward without a lab by my side. I want to honor Hershey's memory by bringing another lab into my home at some point. I'm not ready right now but I will be at some point, perhaps next spring.

Given what I just told you, do you have any suggestions on a reputable lab rescue in Kentucky? I live in Louisville and I do know of KY Lab Rescue via the internet. I've read some mixed reviews about this place but I'm hoping the negative information I've read is wrong. I would like to rescue next time as I know it is the best thing to do and it would do my broken heart well. However, I haven't closed the door on adopting a puppy either as I would love for my three year old to grow up with a best friend to love and dote upon. I would appreciate any information you might have on reputable places/resources to rescue a lab and/or reputable breeders in the KY/IN/OH/TN areas.

Thank you!
Jenny

So sorry about Hershey. I know you're heartbroken.

I grew up in Louisville but I don't know about Lab rescues. Good luck in your search.

Terribly sorry for your loss.

There is a wonderful rescue run by the most kind hearted man named SPARROW. They are in PA so not entirely sure if that is too too far. He does adopt to people farther away I am sure.
https://www.petfinder.com/pet-search?shelterid=PA161
Southwest PA Retriever Rescue Organization#

You may see more of the dogs on his petfinder page, he has a litter of pups now and labs of all ages.

Do look at all breed rescues as well, labs are really in all rescues not just breed specific rescues.

Lastly, do look at your shelters. I know adopting from a rescue has it's advantages but there are TONS of wonderful wonderful labs in shelters in KY. A few of my lab fosters came straight out of overflowing shelters in KY. You would not believe the amazing, beautiful, wonderful dogs in shelters (and at risk as they are full and unfortunately have to make room one way or another).

If you want I can go back and look for what shelters my fosters were from.

Lastly, for breeders you are better to post in the Fire Hydrant. Be aware that we are not allowed to post the name of breeders on teh board, so you may ask teh question and people wil have to send you private messages with the answer (on breeders). To receive a private message you need 10 posts. Research what reputable breeders do to help you evaluate yourself. Here are some threads on the topic;
https://www.lab-retriever.net/board/d...nces-labs.html
https://www.lab-retriever.net/board/f...ers-puppy.html

Thank you for the great information and my apologies for not knowing the rules. My heart is still broken - I'm hoping to rescue next spring but if the dog meant to come home to my family comes along sooner, I am open to that. I've heard so many horror stories about different places, however, these dogs need to be adopted too. We do have several wonderful groups in Louisville in which to find our next family member.

With all this said, my heart is crushed right now. I need some time before I'm ready to bring the next furbaby home....but not too long. Hershey cannot be replaced but I feel like we will be honoring her by rescuing another one.

So very, very sorry for your loss. Hershey living 15 years speaks to how well he was cared for and loved.

With getting our seniors I have found that somehow they found me, the ones who needed what we could give.

Rest In Peace Sweet Hershey

if you will only be ready next spring it will be a little early to start contacting rescues but it doesn't hurt to ask for reputable rescues to have on hand when you are ready. If you are considering a puppy from a breeder, once you have taken a bit of time to grieve, you may want to start looking as the reputable ones can have wait lists (meaning you need to find them months before you may be ready to bring a puppy home).

This rescue may be a bit far but my friend recommended them (she is from that area): https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Ci...107594?fref=ts

Although I don't know of any rescues in KY, I did want to share with you a short story.

Two weeks after putting down my "heart" dog, Chico, I rescued a lab/shepherd mix from a rescue in San Diego (I had previously rescued from them). For the first two weeks I thought I had made the worst mistake of my life. Bogey was incorrigible. He ran away. He chased my cats. He barked continually when I took him to the vet. He was segregated in basic obedience class because he was reactive to the other dogs. That is in February. Today, I have a calm, easy, wonderful dog. He doesn't run away. He's actually scared of one of my cats. And I found that his reactions to other animals (like at the vet and obedience class) is actually a little bit of anxiety (for which I got him a thundershirt).

Best of luck in finding your new fur baby.