Heart of Texas Lab Rescue

Labradors Needing Homes

The following Labrador Retrievers are currently available for adoption. If you are interested in adopting one of the wonderful Labradors listed below, please complete the online application by clicking here:

Online Adoption Application

Most of the labs listed here have been abandoned for some reason. They are in need of a family who has the time to care for them, train them and live with them as a member of the family. They do not do well as totally outdoor dogs or just a friend, playmate for your child or pet. They are living animals who need a sense of being wanted, needed, and being an integral member of your family.

Susie- DOB 2002
Color: Yellow

Poor Susie got left at the pound when her owner was deployed. She's a sweet girl! She's a tad bit overweight, but we're working on that. Susie moved into her foster home today (7/2). We are still getting to know her, but after just a few hours she feels like she could fit into any family. She is a mellow yellow with the sweetest face you have ever seen. She would make a great snuggle buddy. Susie continues to settle in at her foster home. Her first night was spent retreiving tennis balls and swimming. She tires easily, but is a great companion in the yard as well as in the house. Her only wish is to hang out with you. She is also great in the car and is very friendly toward other dogs. Stay tuned...more updates to follow.

If you would like more information please fill out an online application

Nilla- DOB 2000
Color: Yellow

Nilla is a good boy who came to us with a really banged up nose! In spite of the pain that must cause him, he is very loving and sweet. He seems to be housebroken. The nose will heal soon, we're sure!

Update 5-27-08 Nilla loads nicely and rides well in the car. He gets along with other dogs, swims, and fetches. He's even met a horse and done fine with it. What a cool dog!!!

Update 7-2-08 Nilla has done an outstanding job at his foster home. He gets along very well with other dogs and has a pleasant disposition. He is not pushy about receiving attention and, despite having unlimited access to the house, is completely trustworthy. He's a fantastic dog and will adapt to any house with ease.

If you would like more information please fill out an online application

Mel- DOB 2005
Color: Yellow

Mel is a big ole boy who came to us heartworm positive. He got treated on February 14 and will be ready for you at the end of March. Mel loves to be with people and will gladly hang out with you all day no matter what you're doing. He's getting a bit of training right now, too, so he'll know how to walk nicely on a leash for you.

Update 7-2-08 Mel has met a lot of dogs and done well with them. He's really just a good boy!

If you would like more information please fill out an online application

Hoover- DOB 2007
Color: Black

Hoover is a typical young lab. He walks nicely on a leash. He thinks cats might be fun to chase. He thinks counter-surfing is fun. He rides nicely in a car. He got to go to kids' camp at Hearts and Paws for a week where he learned to run an agility course. He also learned shake and roll over - what a good boy!

If you would like more information please fill out an online application

Agassi- DOB 2004
Color: Chocolate

Agassi is a very nice looking english style lab. He is quite correct at a grand total of about 60 pounds. He was turned in by his owner with his full brother Andretti. He is extremely ball motivated(hence the name) and is quite a sweet boy. He does not seem to be extremely excitable. He has learned to sit already and is currently getting some training. It turns out that he is HW positive though so it will be a few weeks before he can meet you.

Update 4-10-08 Agassi had his heartworm treatment this week and is doing fine. He sleeps quietly through the night and is perfectly happy to lie by your feet while you're watching tv. He'll be ready to meet you at the end of May.

Thanks to Renee Walker for sponsoring Agassi!

If you would like more information please fill out an online application

Betsy- DOB 2003
Color: Yellow

Betsy is a really nice AKC-papered girl who has had some bad luck. She's got nasty looking growths on her elbows that will be looked at by a vet on 6-16. We're hoping it is something that medicine can fix, but if not we imagine surgery might be involved. Whatever it is, it is bound to be a fairly expensive venture, so please consider sponsoring her.

Betsy is one of the reasons why HotLab exists. She is a sweet dog, with a great temperament and smart as a whip. But she has very infected elbows that just look horrid. In a shelter she would have never been chosen as they look horrid. But we will get her taken care of and she will be a great addition to your family.

Update 6-27-08 Betsy's elbows are not healing as we had hoped. Apparently there isn't enough normal, healthy tissue and skin on the elbows for any healing to happen. So, the next step is to remove the nasty stuff that won't heal and perform something similar to a skin graft (but not as radical). We're still working on getting a final price for this, but anything you can donate would definitely help Betsy make her way into her forever home sooner.

Thanks to David Litton, Joe and Dana W. Griffin, and Paul and Luann Peralta for sponsoring Betsy!

If you would like more information please fill out an online application

Sterling- DOB 2000
Color: Black

Poor Sterling! His original owner died recently. The owner's heartless family then cleared out the house, taking everything except Sterling, leaving him alone in the abandoned back yard. The stress of it all has caused him to lose a lot of weight and most of his hair. In spite of that, he is super sweet and just loves getting attention. Sadly, he is another one who is high heartworm positive, so it will be August or September before you can meet him (he needs to gain some weight before we treat him).

Update 6-27-08 Sterling is gaining weight and lots of hair! He feels like a new dog! He is very well behaved, gentle and house broken. He is trust worthy in the house and comes when you call him outside. He is happy and loves getting attention!

Thanks to Veronica Trias and David and Anne Fennell for sponsoring Sterling!

If you would like more information please fill out an online application

Iris- DOB 2001
Color: Yellow

Update 6/25: Iris is doing wonderful after her surgery! Her sutures came out on 6/20. Her energy level has been great. She has really been keeping up on our evening walks and has gone for runs in the morning at the school track. She loves it! Iris and the other lab in the house love to gently play and nibble at each other. Iris is such a sweetheart!

Update 5/13: Iris has really settled in. She is very comfortable here and has gained a lot of confidence as well as weight! No more super-skinny Iris! Iris is wonderful on a leash and gets along very well with our 3-year old chocolate lab, Rolo. She is not afraid of storms, people, or other dogs. Her heartworm treatment is going very well and she is almost halfway done. As you can see, Iris is affectionate and does require daily love.

Update 4/24: We have just met Iris, as she has joined our family during her heartworm treatment. She is sweet, affectionate, and very easy-going. She knows down, sit, stay, and come. Iris absolutely loves our 3 year-old chocolate lab. They gently play, cuddle, and sleep the day away. Once Iris comes back from the vet, we will update the page with more pictures and information about this sweetie.

Iris is a sweet older girl who clearly has been used hard. She still had milk in fact when she was at the pound and had clearly just recently had nursing puppies. She is very enthusiastic for life though and thinks people are special. Iris has extremely good manners in the house. She is housebroken and crates very well. She just sits waiting for attention and is not pushy for it. Nothing seems to phase her at all- even the Roomba!

Iris gets along with everyone. She LOVES the toddler and ignores the cat. She is mature enough not to jump on people and is very respectful. She personifies the lab lean to perfection and is simply a marvelous girl! She even walks so well on a leash that the 3 year old can walk her.

Iris is another one who is heartworm positive, so will be able to meet you in late May.

Update 6-15-08 Iris had to have several large lumps removed last week, and the news was great - all benign! However, her surgery was expensive, so she could use some help with covering those costs.

Thanks to Eddie and Kelly Miller for sponsoring Iris!

Check out Iris meandering in the yard eating grass and then enjoying the water at our annual picnic.

If you would like more information please fill out an online application

Mocha- DOB 2001
Color: Chocolate

Mocha is a sweet girl who is just the right combination of calm and active. She seems to be housebroken, rides nicely in the car, and crates easily. Mocha is learning how to behave properly on a leash right now and we hope will soon be a lady about it.

6/21/08 Update: Mocha has been with me for three days, but I have several observations to share. She is a very pretty chocolate girl with a curl. Mocha's fur is curly at the nape of her neck and becomes wavy as it goes the full length and either side of her backbone. She is showing she can be trusted in the house while I'm gone and is always ready to go on a walk. Her interest in my cats is strictly investigating and sniffing them.

If you would like more information please fill out an online application

Scout- DOB approx 2/2004
Color: Black

Scout is a lovely young lab. His family's circumstances have changed and he has come back to join us. He has had professional training and is a quick study. He has lived with a family with young boys around the 6-10 yrs and thoroughly enjoys kids. He plays ball and loves to play tug. He is basically trustworthy in the house, though he will surf the counters if there is food out. All in all, Scouty has proven to be a great family dog!p>

Scout is fine with dogs, but does chase cats that will run. We have not seen him with cats that will stand their ground. He LOVES to be with his people and tries to be a lap dog if he could find a lap big enough.P>

Many thanks to Brian and Melanie Engel for sponsoring Scout.

Many thanks to Kaci Smith for sponsoring Scout.

If you would like more information please fill out an online application

Dyson- DOB 2007
Color: Chocolate

Dyson is another one turned in to the pound for being a typical lab youngster - she chews on things! Imagine that....She's getting some training right now, but really just needs time to "grow a brain." Sadly, she is also heartworm positive, so it will be late April before you can meet her.

Update 4-10-08 Dyson got treated for heartworms this week, so will be ready to meet you in late May.

Updated 5-29-08 Dyson is over her heartworm treatment and can now run & play... she has LOTS of energy and is just a riot to play with (retrieves pretty well, but occassionally will run past you with the toy) and to watch her play with the other dogs in her foster home. She is inquisitive about most things especially the two cats in her foster home, sometimes she wants to play, sometimes wants to push the limits with how much the cats will tolerate and always respectful when the cats let her know 'enough is enough'. She is very much a people dog... will sit by your feet when you are working in the kitchen (or maybe she thinks she'll get a morsel of food dropped on the floor... after all she is named after a vacuum). She is one very SMART cookie. Very fast to learn about crating, sitting and waiting to be fed and is currently learning to wait at closed doors that are opening (which is just torture since she knows there is a squirrel in the yard that she MUST chase). And as most typical lab pups she is chewing most anything she can find... she has pruned a couple of her foster mom's rose bushes, chews on limbs fallen from the pecan trees in the yard but luckily her foster home has LOTS of appropriate chew toys in the house & yard so no major damages have been done. Dyson is a very sweet, delightful, smart, energetic pup. She has been selected (along with a couple of our other Labs) to go to Kids Camp at Hearts & Paws this summer, where she will get additional training. She is available to meet applicants now but because of her commitment to Hearts & Paws Kids Camp, she is not available for placement until after June 19th. If you have the patience for another year of puppyhood destruction and energy, she'll make a wonderful companion for you and your family.

Update 6-16-08 Dyson completed her first week of camp with flying colors! She learned some agility and got to participate in a costume show where she portrayed both a princess and an alien!

Thanks to Pamela McAlpin for sponsoring Dyson!

If you would like more information please fill out an online application

Martha- DOB 2007
Color: Chocolate

Martha is a cute little chocolate girl who has had at least one litter of puppies already! She knows sit and may know shake. She crates nicely and rides well in the car.

If you would like more information please fill out an online application

Liberty- DOB 2001
Color: Chocolate

Liberty is a sweet chocolate girl who was found wandering near a school.

If you would like more information please fill out an online application

Phoebe- DOB 2001
Color: Yellow

Phoebe's owners dumped her at the pound after 7 years because she's too big and sheds too much! She's about 15 pounds overweight, too. And, sadly, she is yet another one who is high heartworm positive, so it will be August or September before you can meet her.

Guess what???? Two hours with a brush and Phoebe's shedding problem is done with, now to lose some weight, get healthy and live a wonderful life. Miss Phoebez is an English style Lab with a huge otter tail that will be wonderful for swimming.

Her Heartworm treatment will be particularly difficult. She could use your support. Now until June 30th we have a benefactor who will match all donations so every dollar you help out with will turn into two dollars. Where else can you get that type of return on your investment?

Thanks to Veronica Trias, Julie Ellison, Doug Mitchell and Christina and Alexander Hardinger for sponsoring Phoebe!

If you would like more information please fill out an online application

Chuck and Schroeder- DOB 2000 and 2002
Color: Yellow

Chuck and Schroeder are a great pair of yellow boys! Their original owner was a HOTLR volunteer. Sadly she recently died from cancer and specified in her will that if no one else would take the boys together that they were to come to us and not be separated. They are house trained and crate trained. They ride well in cars. They know sit and probably some other commands, too. They lived with a cat at home and did fine, but have chased a few cats in some of the homes they have been in recently. We think it just depends on how dog-smart the cat is! These pictures are from one of their last vacations with their mom. The first picture shows Schroeder on our left and Chuck on the right. Then there's Chuck wading in the water, and Schroeder on the beach.

They are currently living with a 3 yr old child and doing fantastic with her. Also they live with a cat currently and pretty much ignore her(though if she ran, I bet they might chase her). Schroeder does check out the counters, and Chuck thinks the couch might be worth sleeping on. Both boys use a doggie door and are housebroken perfectly! They do not door dart and are very sweet. Also, they are both smaller- Chuck is about 60-65 pounds and Schroeder is only about 70 pounds. They are quite mellow and are VERY VERY easy. Despite having to go together they will be a very easy pair to adopt. Please consider them.

Thanks to Anne Fennell and the Gomez family for sponsoring these boys!

If you would like more information please fill out an online application

Darling- DOB 2005
Color: Yellow

Can you believe yet another dog that is high heartworm positive?????? Yep, that's Miss Darling for you. She knows sit and shake and seems to be housebroken. She is crate trained. We are still evaluating her compatibility with cats, but she's good with the dogs she has met. As with the rest of the heartworm gang, she won't be ready for you until August.

If you would like more information please fill out an online application

Cheerio- DOB 2004
Color: Yellow

Cheerio is a sweet girl who ended up stray at the pound. She's recently had puppies and seems to have been a major puppy producer. Unfortunately, she is high heartworm positive, so it will be August, probably, before you can meet her.

If you would like more information please fill out an online application

Roomba- DOB 2007
Color: Black

Roomba is an extremely sweet and friendly dog. He is so gentle on the leash that even our 8 year old can walk him. Roomba loves going on walks! He is definitely not an alpha dog and does very well with the other dogs around him. Roomba has not bothered the cat in the house at all, barely giving it a second look. He is not too fond of the crate but will go in for a treat and once in, settles down nicely and will sleep thru the night without a peep. He does like to counter surf, but we are working on that issue now. So far he has not had an accident in the house. Roomba would make a great addition to just about any family as he is smart and eager to please!

Update 5-29-08 Roomba got to go swimming today and is very good at it. He is not the best at swimming and fetching, but he'll get there. Today he met lots more dogs, several cats, a horse and even a pig and really only barked a lot at the pig - who wouldn't?!

If you would like more information please fill out an online application

Ivy- DOB 2006
Color: Yellow

Ivy is an extremely sweet yellow girl who was a stray at the pound. She came in Heartworm positive and had severe ear problems. She has been cleaned up pretty well and turns out to be very loving and kind. She currently lives with a cat and a 3 1/2 yr old child and thinks they rule her world(Well they really do!). She is quite food motivated, but shows no food issues at all!

Ivy plays ball and enjoys walks. She is trustworthy in the house and does not need to be crated during the day. She sleeps on a doggie bed at night right by the bed and is prompt about coming with you if you leave the room.. She does not door dart and so far has not stolen anything off the counters. All in all, Ivy is a very sweet girl who will be an easy transition for someone who wants a loving family member.

Update 5-27-08 Ivy is a good swimmer - launching herself into the water with gusto, just like a dock-diver!

If you would like more information please fill out an online application

Azalea- DOB 2000
Color: Black

Azalea is a sweet girl with lots of spunk who got treated for heartworms on April 24, so she'll be ready to meet you in early June. She is crate trained and seems to be house trained. She currently lives with three dogs, and two cats, and does great with all of them. When the other dogs go for their walk, she is fine being left in the house with a chewy. She is very devoted, and follows her foster mom around the house. She doesn't pull when on a leash, but is still working on a good "heel". Azalea is ready for a loving home.

If you would like more information please fill out an online application

Clover- DOB 2007
Color: Chocolate

Clover is an 8 mon old choc puppy who was brought in due to being too hyper. Now if you can imagine a lab puppy having energy, this is simply an amazing thing. She is spunky and fun loving and is currently getting some training. She is ready to meet you and would be great in an active family.

Check her out playing ball and running with her buddies.

If you would like more information please fill out an online application

Magnum- DOB 2004/5
Color: Yellow

Magnum is a big ole boy(topping out at 140 pounds) we just pulled from the pound. He has been shuffled around a bit recently-starting out as a stray, then he lived for a few months with a young family who were overwhelmed by his size and did not feel he could live in an apartment. He then went on to live with a new family with cats whom he got to terrorize! He then ended up at the pound in the hopes he would stumble upon us!

He did and he is a fabulous LARGE lab who is currently at a doggie day spa to drop some weight and get some training. He is healthy(and as large) as a horse...at least a small pony. He LOVES plush squeaky toys and enjoys playing with other dogs. We are investigating the cat angle and will advise on whether it is all cats or just those that run. Additionally, he loves to swim and adores car rides- best way to catch him if he sneaks out actually! We know he has been around some children but have not seen it yet.

Thanks to Pamela McAlpin for sponsoring Magnum!

If you would like more information please fill out an online application

Mustang- DOB 2007Adoption Pending
Color: Yellow

If you are looking for companionship, Mustang is your new best friend. He has become a shadow, and even sits underneath the desk while I work at the computer. He is always looking for affection and attention. He does very well with our two other labs, and I think he is learning from them everyday. Mustang has also really made some significant improvements. He now knows ?sit?, which is being reinforced daily. He is beginning to know his name, we are now working on laying down, and continuing to break some bad habits. Some of his good behavior is he doesn?t beg for food, get on the furniture, pull on the leash (unless there is a really good scent), and we are refining his fetching skills. He doesn?t like the kennel (we are still working on this), but doesn?t mind a dog bed on the floor at night. He is a smallish boy and is eager to have a home.

Check out Mustang fetching and playing!

If you would like more information please fill out an online application

Ross- DOB 2007Adoption Pending
Color: Chocolate

Ross is a gorgeous chocolate boy who was adopted from a shelter and then returned after only two days - not long enough for anyone, much less a young lab, to adjust to a new home!

If you would like more information please fill out an online application

Goober- DOB 2006Adoption Pending
Color: Chocolate

Goober is a good boy who already knows sit and walks decently on a leash. He is good for car rides, too!

Update 5-18-08 Goober met a bunch of dogs today and did pretty well, considering he is a lot like the pesky little brother who needs to be told to stop it several times before he gets it. All in all, though, he did a great job today and was very well mannered while meeting people. Along with sit he knows down and plays a little fetch. He also seems to be housetrained.

If you would like more information please fill out an online application

As dogs are adopted and room becomes available we take more in. At this time we are completely filled up and do not have enough foster homes to rescue all of the Labs in this area, and north and south of Austin. There are several at Town Lake Animal Center in Austin, and other Shelters around the area, we will consider as space becomes available. Please put the Labs in Shelters, on your list for consideration. If you find a Lab you would consider adopting in one of the shelters, we would be happy to meet you. Our Rescue group will be available to answer any questions you may have or to help you work through any problems you may experience with your adopted Lab, whether you adopt from us, or one of the shelters. Also consider the dogs below.

There are additional dogs listed at the below link which are also available for adoption. These dogs are privately owned dogs and are NOT affiliated with HOTLR. Do NOT contact HOTLR to get more info on these dogs, as this is a service we provide to people trying to place labs. Please contact the individual dog's contact information to arrange to meet the dog. HOTLR does not vouch for any of these dogs, as they have not been evaluated by any HOTLR Volunteers.

Click here to see Heart of Texas Lab Rescue Referrals