Funding Guidelines

LABMED will accept applications for assistance for rescued Labrador Retrievers or Labrador Retriever mixes from any group or organization or from any individual who is of legal age (18 years).

Applications may be submitted to LABMED directly by:

• Internet application at: http://www.labmed.org
• By FAX:  650-590-1878
• or by mail at:
  LABMED, Inc.
  3941 Legacy Drive, Suite 204, #A115
  Plano, Texas  75023
  

Applications - including the required pictures - must be submitted no
later than 30 days after incurring the expense.

LABMED will provide monetary assistance toward emergency medical expenses for Labrador Retrievers or Lab-mixes who are abandoned or rescued cases and for whom no other funding is available or is insufficient.

Each application will be assessed individually. These guidelines will be followed to determine if the dog is eligible for assistance from LABMED:

Guidelines for Eligibility

1. The dog requires emergency medical treatment and is in a rescue situation. A rescue situation exists when a dog does not have a permanent home and has been taken in by an organized rescue group, shelter, vet clinic or in some circumstances by an individual rescuer. Medical conditions that were present at the time of rescue may be eligible for funding if the dog has been examined and a preliminary diagnosis made by a veterinarian within two weeks of the date when the dog was rescued. Medical conditions that are acquired after a dog has been rescued are not eligible for funding.
2. The dog is a Labrador Retriever or Labrador Retriever-mix displaying strong Labrador characteristics. The dog must resemble a Lab more than it resembles any other breed.
3. It has been determined that no local rescue funds are available or are insufficient to provide the medical treatment required to bring the dog to a health status compatible with adoption. Funds will not be provided for non-emergency routine care such as immunizations, medications, heartworm preventative, testing for parasites, spaying/neutering, worming, baths, flea control, cost of food or boarding fees.
4. A licensed veterinarian has assessed all injuries and ailments and has predicted that the dog has a solid chance for a good quality of life with treatment.
5. The dog has shown no signs of aggression toward other animals or humans.
6. The dog will be adoptable at the end of the emergency treatment to be funded.
7. The dog is not terminally ill.
8. There is no age limit - each case will be judged as to quality of future life for that dog.
9. No funds will be released without specific assurances that the dog will be spayed or neutered. This is the responsibility of the adopting family through their own finances or with the help of local rescue organizations. However, in some instances, funds may be provided for spaying/neutering in conjunction with other procedures.
10. Applications for the treatment of congenital orthopedic conditions will be considered with the following additional requirements:

    a) If the funding request is for surgery for correction of a congenital orthopedic condition, the veterinarian has assessed the condition and is of the opinion that the dog's quality of life and adoptability will be significantly compromised without surgery, as opposed to other maintenance treatment options.
    b) If the funding request is for non-emergency, orthopedic surgery, all surgical options need to be considered. LABMED is unable to fund ANY PART of the cost of total hip replacement surgery. Funding for triple pelvic osteotomy or TPLO cruciate ligament surgery may be considered for only a small portion of the total cost, if at all, and only then if, in the opinion of the veterinarians consulted, there are no other options that will result in a satisfactory prognosis. In addition to being very costly, these surgeries do not reflect an immediate or emergency need for a dog and there are alternative treatments/surgeries available. Please be aware of this when making your request for funds as we will need to know what portion you will be able to fund either on your own or through fund-raising efforts.
    c) LABMED may require the applicant to seek a second opinion and further evaluation to ensure that the suggested surgery or treatment is the only option for ensuring a good quality of life for the dog.
    d) The dog must be symptomatic. That is, the diagnosis was not made only from routine x-rays. The dog must be showing signs of lameness or other dysfunction. Many dogs with hip dysplasia never display any lameness throughout their life. Applications for funding these conditions must include a description of the symptoms being displayed by the dog.
    e) While LABMED does not wish to suggest "bargain shopping" for veterinary care, because of the high cost of orthopedic work all options for surgery should also be explored by the applicant (vet schools, a vet that will give a larger rescue discount, etc.). LABMED reserves the option of offering a partial funding.

11. LABMED will not provide funding for any medical treatment for established personal pets. A dog adopted from a rescue group or shelter with the intent of providing a permanent home for that dog is not eligible for funding. However, in the following cases funding will be considered for recently adopted dogs if the application meets all other LABMED guidelines:

    a) INDIVIDUAL RESCUES: An individual has rescued a dog that was injured or ill at the time of rescue and would like to provide a permanent home for the dog. The dog must have been examined, and a preliminary diagnosis made, by a veterinarian within two weeks of rescue.
    b) ADOPTION THROUGH A HUMANE SOCIETY, SHELTER OR RESCUE GROUP: A dog that appeared healthy or had a minor illness/injury has been adopted from a shelter and, after adoption, it becomes apparent that there was a serious pre-existing condition. LABMED may consider funding in these cases if the symptoms become apparent and a diagnosis is made by a vet within two weeks after adoption.

12. LABMED will not fund the entire cost of treatment for a dog who is in an adoptive home (11a and 11b). The adoptive/rescue home is expected to pay some portion of the cost. Applications must include a dollar amount that will be paid, or that has already been paid, by the new owner. Prior to release of funds, LABMED will require receipts documenting these expenditures.
13. PLACEMENTS THROUGH A RESCUE ORGANIZATION: An ill or injured dog has been taken in by an established rescue organization. A permanent home is found for the dog during the funding application process, or a home is found before the organization had an opportunity to start the funding application process. The assumption here will be that, in the absence of an adoptive home, the case would have met all LABMED funding guidelines, and that the adoption would have been seriously jeopardized if the assistance were not available.

Once you've determined your dog meets our funding criteria, you may wish to read our decision making procedures or submit an application.