December 30, 2002 -  Long Island Labrador Retriever Rescue had received a distress call from a Lab breeder in Suffolk, VA. asking our help to rehome his 85 Labrador Retrievers and several litters of Lab pups [that number turned out to be slightly low].  With no Labrador Retriever Rescue in that region and adjacent Lab Rescues too full to help, LILRR [with breeder consent] enlisted the help of Chessie Rescue VA and then convinced breeder to immediately release the youngest puppies into their rescue program.  LILRR then phoned CT Lab Rescue to discuss the situation and weigh our options.

January 4, 2003 - LILRR Board Member [Knapp],  CT Lab Rescue [Mahoney] and a professional volunteer rescue transport driver [Shaw] flew to Norfolk VA the evening before.  As advance coordinated, the volunteers were met at the airport by breeder driving the rental truck who then drove them to hotel rooms nearer his property.  Early next morning, the breeder picked up these volunteers at the hotel and all proceeded to his property to extricate and transport 20 dogs and one remaining litter [11 pups] to distribute to LILRR, Westchester, upstate NY and CT Lab Rescue.  Within phone conversation during transport and subsequent email, Mahoney explained this 1st rescue transport focused on removing the breeder-favored Labs, with intent to quell further breeding.  Many other [more sick, wounded, traumatized and jeopardized] Labs remained behind.  Same day of this 1st transport - LILRR already orchestrating a 2nd Rescue transport - we enlisted the interim assistance of the Norfolk based organization, Animal Rescue of Tidewater [A.R.T.].

January 11, 2003 - an LILRR team drove 12 hr. to Suffolk VA on 01/10/03, with plan to  rescue as many as the breeder would or had released [and assess 10 Labs for MD Lab Rescue to be transported to them by an A.R.T. volunteer].   Turned out MD Lab Rescue was assessing and loading Labs at the sanctuary while LILRR [instructed by A.R.T. 6:30 a.m.] drove further to meet breeder at his property with intent to convince the release of other Labs.  The breeder a no-show,  LILRR proceeded to A.R.T.'s sanctuary and accepted all remaining available Labs at the sanctuary into our program and left with them aware that LILRR will orchestrate a 3rd transport if necessary.

19 Suffolk VA Labs entered LILRR and are residing safely within private boarding on Long Island while Vets and LILRR reps tend their immediate medical and health needs.  Most are heartworm positive and must undergo expensive corrective treatment and rehabilitation.  Two young Labs required immediate life saving IV upon arrival due to malnutrition and dehydration.  All have been treated for severe and painful skin problems, whip and tape worm, punctures, lacerations, infections and open wounds.  Some required ultrasound, most required x-rays and most face repeat x-rays, titers, tests, meds and rehab.  Every one of the VA Labrador Retrievers within LILRR are very sweet and incredibly special in their own unique way ... some are outgoing, some are very timid, some are fearful and some are very sick.  All are precious and a pleasure to be with.

We did not promote this Rescue endeavor on our website earlier simply because of the overloaded schedule since the breeder called LILRR ... it has been an exhausting month of orchestrating their legal release, organizing multiple safe transports and providing round the clock care for the Labs.

Contrary to the description of LILRR by the Suffolk [VA] Daily Press, the large part of LILRR is our love for this breed and hearts that do not stop helping.  Donations are needed to continue our work for these Labs.  Help us make sure each and every one of these innocent lives regain health and find a loving forever family.

Related Links:

Rescued Labs          Suffolk VA Labs

Suffolk VA Labs Within LILRR - March Update

Suffolk VA Labs Adopted

Suffolk VA Labs Ready For Adoption

Would You Volunteer As Foster Home?

This LILRR generated endeavor can substantiate recipients of 76 Labs/dogs:

• Chessie Rescue VA:  16 Lab pups

• 1st LILRR transport:  18 Labs, 2 mix breed dogs, 1 litter of 11 pups [distributed among 5 Northeast Lab Rescues]

• 2nd LILRR transport:  19 Labs [all entered LILRR]

• Potomac (MD) Lab Rescue:  10 Labs

We wait word from VA on whereabouts of 50 other alleged Labs.