Most of our rescued Labs come to us from shelters, but every year we also help Lab lovers in need who find they sadly can no longer care for their Lab and want the best for them. We are contacted by people who have lost their home or job, who have suffered a serious illness or injury, who have a family in crisis or are moving into an assisted living environment where they cannot have their Lab.

Two-and-a-half year old Sadie came to us when her life-long owner was hospitalized with a long term illness. A compassionate friend brought comfort to her ill friend by getting Sadie to us. Although it was not an easy decision for her owner to say good bye to Sadie, it was a great relief to her knowing that Sadie would be cared for in a Lab-savvy foster home and then matched with a thoroughly screened loving forever home.

We wanted to share this wonderful note of thanks with you:

Wow! What an amazing organization you have. We couldn't have lucked out more. I know my friend will feel better knowing Sadie is well loved and in her new home. Again, I can't say enough good things about your organization. Thank you for everything!

Best Regards,

Laura

Sadie with her new family 

Your thoughtful donation helps not only with the extensive medical and other care needs of the rescued Labs, but also allows us to bring peace of mind to Lab lovers in need. They know with Safe Harbor that their best friend is properly taken care of and will never face an uncertain future in a shelter. Please help us help the Labs with your donation today! Just click here.

Our benefit concert featuring Bill Staines was a huge success -- standing room only -- and so many volunteers helped there's not enough room to thank them all.

We would like to thank Tia and Fred Fraser for organizing the wonderful bake sale and raffle, Brenda Leap for bringing down her beautiful beaded jewelry and suncatchers and donating all of her sales to SHLR. Thanks too, to Patty Forsyth for "manning the door" -- no small feat with a sold out crowd.

Thank you to Alyna Waters and Alex Pritchard for hosting the event at their home, The Old Louisville Church, Dave Hard for coordinating with Bill Staines to "get him to the Church on time", and Kit Simon for bringing over 60 chairs for seating -- and then loading them all back into his van after the concert and taking them back to storage.

Thanks to Kit too, for bringing our ambassador, Toby -- pictured with Bill after the concert. And last but not least Bill himself for providing over two hours of excellent entertainment! 

Penny came to Safe Harbor more than 3 months ago. We were blessed that a new volunteer, Libby Ross, who works as a Dog Behavior Specialist, had just joined our ranks, because Penny had severe fear issues and night terrors resembling Post Traumatic Stress Disorder that would require a very patient long term foster to rehabilitate her.

After a month, Penny had a major breakthrough when she finally went out the front door on a leash for a walk with Libby's other dogs. This is the e-mail we received from the proud foster Mom after this momentous occasion. 

I'm deliriously happy!!!!!  I was at the front door leashing my dogs for a walk, and Penny was hanging around!!!  The leashes didn't run her off or anything!!!  And when I opened the door, she curiously poked her head out!!!  So I quickly snuck a collar and leash on her, and opened the door, and she followed us out!!!  All 3 of us went on a walk, and she didn't shut down once!!!  She really seemed to be having a great time!!!  She got startled a couple times, but she quickly got over it and continued forward!!!!!!!  She was sniffing and curiously checking everything out!!!
 
I am so unbelievably proud!!!!  I'm all choked up, and she and I both keep hugging and kissing each other!!!  I think she knows what a major break through this was for her :-)

                                  
Just had to share.  I have the most giant grin plastered on my face.

Thank so much, Libby, for the great progress you have made with this beautiful girl. We are pleased to report that she is now ready to go to her forever home and continue her recovery.  

Fortunately we only rarely have cases this extreme, but fosters are often rewarded with breakthroughs in their foster dogs. Click here if you are ready to experience the many rewards of being a SHLR foster. 

• 83 member organizations rescued 4813 dogs
• 2249 dogs were spayed or neutered
• $1,358,000 was spent on medical care