A surge in backyard breeding has pushed animal shelters across the Central Valley to the brink, and many are now overwhelmed with more dogs than they can handle.
Labrador Retriever Rescue of Fresno (LRRF), a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing and rehoming Labrador Retrievers and Lab mixes, says it’s now being forced to turn dogs away due to a lack of foster homes.
“We are really overwhelmed right now at Fresno Lab Rescue,” said Nancy Gilmore, a longtime volunteer and foster parent. “There’s a lot of dogs on the street, a lot of dogs who are being dumped by breeders, forced out of their homes.”
Since 2008, LRRF has helped thousands of Labs find forever homes.
But the rescue says it can’t continue without more community support.
The organization is urgently calling for foster parents—people who are willing to temporarily care for a dog until it’s adopted.
Gilmore says fostering is a great way for people to see if dog ownership is right for them.
She knows firsthand how meaningful the experience can be.
“I was supposed to have [Molly] for a week, and I’ve had her for a year now,” she said. “She’s actually learning to be a therapy dog. She’s going to be going out with me to hospitals soon. It’s very rewarding.”
Fostering does come with challenges.
Many of the dogs rescued by LRRF have been neglected, especially when it comes to their health.
However, the nonprofit provides everything foster families need—vet care, medication, and food.
Sue Arnold, another foster parent with seven years of experience, originally came to LRRF as an adopter.
After being denied adoption a second time, she didn’t give up—instead, she stepped up to foster.
Even if fostering full-time isn’t possible, LRRF says there are other ways to help: volunteers are needed to walk dogs, take them to vet appointments, or assist foster families in daily care.
Since 2011, LRRF has placed nearly 3,000 Labs and Lab mixes into loving homes.
On average, the organization finds homes for over 200 dogs each year.
Some adopters travel hundreds of miles to meet their new companions.
To learn more about fostering or volunteering, visit LRRF’s official website.
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