Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue January 2009 Newsletter

Holy Moly! It's 2009 already! What a long way we've come and look how many great dogs we've saved! All thanks goes out to our great volunteers, all the fantastic adoptive families, our incredible foster families, the busy and dedicated board members and to everyone else who has helped along the way!

This last month was a busy month for the Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue. We were blessed to be a part of the Marley & Me Food Drive put on by the American Humane Society. Overall the event collected over 3 tons of pet food for dogs and cats for Denver-area animal shelters and rescues. We recieved over 600 pounds of dog food, 2 boxes of treats, 4 cases of canned dog food, and several blankets and towels! Thanks to anyone who contributed!

We also had our first annual Howliday Funds Drive! It was a big success! Because of all of your HUGE hearts and generous contributions the Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue received over $1200 in donations that will all go directly towards helping us save more dogs. We use adoption fees to cover basic expenses such as transports, vaccinations, spay/neuters, microchips, and basic foster care. However, the adoption fees are frequently much less than our actual costs to provide the care that some of our dogs need. Fortunately, there are many wonderful people (like you) who are willing to help us, and who donate generously to provide our dogs with another chance at life. It is because of your generosity that we are able to rescue dogs and to give them an opportunity for a healthy and comfortable life with a new forever home. Thank you for your support of the Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue through out the last year. You are giving back to the dogs across the country that we rescue from shelters that they normally wouldn't get to leave. ONE HUNDRED PERCENT of all money donated goes directly to helping the dogs. If you were unable to donate during the holidays and would still like to contribute you can always donate on our website HERE.

Right now there is a contest going on at AdoptAPet.com. The rescue or shelter with the most registered friends will win $10,000. That amount of money could fund our small rescue for a year!! The America's Favorite Animal Shelter contest is sponsored by Care2.com and Adopt-a-Pet.com. Every vote helps save a homeless animal's life - find out how and cast your vote today!http://www.care2.com/animalsheltercontest/74314/?refer=19701.10.1231106904.764

Upcoming Events

When: May 17th 2009 (race starts at 9AM, registration/bib pick up 8AM)

Where: Louisville Dog Park 955 Bella Vista Drive
Louisville, CO 80027

Why: Help support the Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue by running with your 4-legged friend! This fun family (and dog) event in Louisville, Colorado can be as competitive or as leisurely as you desire. There will be three wave starts based on order of registration. The race/walk will be on the Coal Creek Trail, sure fun for you and your dog.

Cost: The cost of entry is $30, the includes up to 2 dog running mates, a quick dry tshirt and a fabulous goodie bag! (Just the purchase of a tshirt is $20)

Who: Anyone and everyone! All ages can run, walk, or stroll to the finish line! We'd love all past adopters to come with their RMLR Dog and join us for a 'family reunion' at the dog park! There will be a great carnival after the race including paw painting, dog massages, pet food vendors, a puppy pool, a raffle for door prizes for we humans - and MORE!

Additional Information: If you don't want to participate in the 5K, please come enjoy the fair! Registration is only required for the 5K. All proceeds go to RMLR! This event is being hosted by 12 Centaurus High School Marketing and DECA members who are working with a (501(c)3) registered non-profit organization, and the Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue is it! Come not only support the Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue, but help support Centaurus High School too!

You can register early on Active.com! There is an event capacity limit of 200 runners - so sign up early and reserve your spot!

Thank you to the Centaurus High School Students that are helping us organize this fantastic event - and to SkirtSports for being the main sponser of the 5K!

Success Stories

December had 24 successful adoptions! That is 24 lucky labs that got to go home in time for Christmas! Who could ask for a better Christmas present? If you are one of these lucky families, we'd love to hear how things are going with your newest family member! If you've adopted anytime in the past we'd like to see how your Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue Lab is doing too! Send us an updated picture and story HERE, or join our Facebook Group and post a picture, tell your story on our website forum, or join our Yahoo!Group and share your latest adventures with your new pup!

This is Hank. Hank is a big friendly fella! Hank came to us from a Retriever Rescue in Oklahoma that had been called to come see him as an owner surrender. Once they got to the home they realized that 1, he wasn't a retriever at all and 2, they couldn't leave such a loveable great dog with an owner who didn't want him. Unfortunately, they couldn't find a home for him in OK either. Hank was adopted out to a great couple in Broomfield, CO in June 2008. As you can see, it looks like he's loving the Colorado snow! Thanks so much for the update!

Calling all Volunteers!

Thank you so much for your help this past year! We've exceed our expectations immensely! However, we always need more help. The Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue Run 5K is going to take a lot of manpower to organize and run successfully! If you have anytime before the race to contact possible vendors, spread the word about the race, or help organize please let us know. We'll also need many hands to help us the day of the race. We'll need people to help with stuffing goodie bags, standing a long the race route, water stations, receiving lines, registration and more. If you can help with any of these please email us HERE and let us know how you'd like to help out!

There are always things to help out with around the Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue. Fostering is an ongoing need of the rescue. We are in need of Foster Homes. Please fill out a Fostering Application on our website to get the process started today. Please understand that we cannot save dogs without your help and are willing to work with you in every possible way to make your transition easier.  See the helping us section for details on foster requirements.  Thank you!