Rescuers anticipate it will be a long and expensive rehabiliation for many of the Labrador Retrievers rescued near Houston.   But thanks to the incredible generosity of a worldwide community of dog lovers, the immediately foreseeable financial needs of the emergency have been met.  Please see: a message of thanks.   

The immediate response and enthusiasm generated by the emergency now will be followed by the long-term task of nursing the Houston Labs back to health and finding them permanent new homes. More than 40 of the dogs are in care now at the Heart of Texas Lab Rescue facility north of Austin, Texas, where shifts of volunteers are helping with daily feeding, exercise, medication and human contact.

Most of the dogs have made amazing progress since they were taken into care almost a week ago. Emaciated bodies are beginning to fill out, there is a sparkle in once-hollow eyes, and some are announcing their recovery with tail-thumping and barks of excitement. Although a few of the least-stricken may soon be ready for adoption, most will need weeks or months of foster care before they are ready to find new families.    

If you live in the Austin area and can help on a regular basis with the care and feeding of dozens of Labs who will be in rescue's care for many weeks to come, please contact Luanne Lindsey by e-mail at appyland@texas.net or you may telephone 259-3645.   FAX number is (512) 259-5227. Foster care and permanent adoptive homes also will be needed.

The website for Heart of Texas Labrador Rescue is: http://www.hotlabrescue.org