Sunshine State Labrador Rescue

Sunshine State Labrador Rescue REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.

We are dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating Labrador Retrievers and Labrador Retriever mixes in need and matching them with loving forever families in the Sunshine State. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE.

Adoptable Shadow Pup enjoyed visiting all the vendors at the awesome Dogs Day of Summer event today in New Port Richey. ...
09/04/2026

Adoptable Shadow Pup enjoyed visiting all the vendors at the awesome Dogs Day of Summer event today in New Port Richey. He had pup cups, meetings with other dogs, an introduction to a trainer, and a whole body rub at the chiropractor's tent. Shadow loves new experiences and has already been to Home Depot and Lowes. Shadow is looking for an active adopter or family. Will you like to be his buddy? His foster home is in New Port Richey and you can see his profile on the SSLR website at: https://sslr.org/available-dogs/entry/2263/?gvid=873. To purchase SSLR swag - https://share.google/SCqrcCwSdQCMCP1dX

Here’s to a weekend filled with sunshine, relaxation, and plenty of Labrador love! Whether you’re enjoying a backyard ba...
09/04/2026

Here’s to a weekend filled with sunshine, relaxation, and plenty of Labrador love! Whether you’re enjoying a backyard barbecue, a long walk, or simply cuddling with your favorite Lab, we hope your weekend is full of happiness. ☀️

🐾 A Truly Wonderful Team Effort: Boone & Gus Are Home-Together!!!! 🐾Boone and Gus’s story is a beautiful example of what...
09/04/2026

🐾 A Truly Wonderful Team Effort: Boone & Gus Are Home-Together!!!! 🐾

Boone and Gus’s story is a beautiful example of what can happen when dedicated volunteers work together for two dogs in need.
These handsome boys, a father and son, were surrendered in Pensacola because of a health emergency involving their owner. From the very beginning, their journey involved an incredible network of caring people determined to make sure they would be safe and eventually stay together.
Because there wasn't one foster home available who could take both boys together, Boone and Gus spent their first week in separate foster homes—but everyone worked hard to make sure they would soon be reunited. Boone was welcomed by Robin in New Port Richey, while Gus stayed with Karl and Karen in Wesley Chapel. Our wonderful vet partner also stepped up quickly to get Boone onto the surgery schedule for his neuter (Gus was already neutered).
And then there was the happy ending everyone had hoped for! ❤️
An approved adopter had been waiting for the right dogs to come along. After talking with Roberta, her adoption counselor ,and learning about Boone and Gus, she fell in love and wanted to adopt the father & son pair. Because they had and adaptation commitment, we chose not to post them publicly and risk having people fall in love with one boy or the other, only to be disappointed. Keeping this father and son together was the goal—and everyone involved worked to make it happen.
The foster homes were about an hour apart, but the volunteers seamlessly created a logistics plan that made it easy for their adopter, Jamie, to pick up both boys and bring them home together forever.
And what a reunion it was! Boone and Gus are now happily settled with Jamie in St. Petersburg, together forever - just as they should be. This adoption is especially meaningful because Gus has been blind in one eye since puppyhood, making it even more wonderful to know that both boys have found such a loving home together
This was truly a group effort involving many caring volunteers; all working to keep Gus and Boone together.
Congratulations, Boone and Gus! We are so happy that this father and son get to spend the rest of their lives together, safe, loved, and home. ❤️
Thank you to everyone who played a part in making this happy ending possible! SSLR.org

Long before millions of grieving pet owners knew the words Rainbow Bridge, they belonged to one heartbroken 19-year-old ...
09/03/2026

Long before millions of grieving pet owners knew the words Rainbow Bridge, they belonged to one heartbroken 19-year-old girl and the dog she could not imagine living without.

His name was Major.

In 1959, Edna Clyne was living near Inverness, Scotland, when her beloved Labrador Retriever died. Major was the first dog who had truly been hers, and their bond was unusually close. When his life ended, Edna was holding him in her arms.

The next day, she was still overwhelmed with grief.

Her mother saw how badly she was hurting and suggested that she try putting those feelings onto paper.

So Edna sat down and began to write.

What emerged was a vision of a peaceful place where beloved animals wait until the people who loved them arrive, allowing them to eventually continue their journey together. She called it Rainbow Bridge.

Edna never planned to make it famous.

She eventually typed a few copies for friends who had been moved by her words. Crucially, she did not put her name on them. The copies were passed from person to person, slowly separating the poem from the young woman who had written it.

Then, in 1994, Rainbow Bridge appeared in Dear Abby.

The column reached an estimated 100 million readers, but there was a problem. Nobody seemed to know who had written the words that were making so many grieving pet owners cry. Dear Abby even asked readers to help identify the author.

Decades passed.

Then art historian and author Paul Koudounaris began investigating.

His search eventually led him back to Scotland and Edna Clyne-Rekhy. When he contacted her in 2023, she was 82 and still had something extraordinary in her possession.

The original handwritten page from 1959.

For more than six decades, countless grieving people had found comfort in words written by someone whose name they never knew.

And those words had begun not with fame, publishing or an audience.

They began with a 19-year-old girl missing her Labrador.

Sometimes something written for one dog becomes a way for millions of people to remember their own.

Poor Scooby has 'bounced back' to the rescue. It is always disappointing when our rescues didn't 'match' like we had ho...
09/01/2026

Poor Scooby has 'bounced back' to the rescue. It is always disappointing when our rescues didn't 'match' like we had hoped - but they are always welcome back for a mulligan. Scooby is a young Lab, so he is active! Like we always say, a tired Lab is a good Lab - so be prepared for lots of play time.

Hi there! I’m Scooby, an adorable 2 year old yellow boy. I am officially on the lookout for my new forever family. I was abandoned by my original owners, and when SSLR heard about me, they came to rescue me!
Quick Facts About Me:
• Personality: Fun, loving, affectionate
• Energy Level: I love to play, especially outdoors!
• Training: Housebroken and crate trained
• Manners: I have excellent manners, especially inside.
• Dogs: I love them! I enjoy playing and hanging out with other canine friends.
My Personality & Social Skills
I am a joyful boy who is absolutely full of personality! I love being active, playing games, and showing my humans just how affectionate I can be. I really have a kind, gentle soul, and I love to snuggle and give kisses..
My Wish List
I am looking for a loving home with a family who will give me:
• Plenty of attention and cuddle time.
• A fenced yard so I can have an active playtime to burn off my energy.
• Lots of love and a cozy spot to call my own.
In return, I promise to be the most loyal, joyful, and fun companion you could ever ask for!

Sadly, Peter has recently been returned to SSLR, and while we’re heartbroken for this sweet senior boy, we’re determined...
08/30/2026

Sadly, Peter has recently been returned to SSLR, and while we’re heartbroken for this sweet senior boy, we’re determined to help him find the peaceful, loving home he deserves. Every dog needs time to adjust and settle in - and can never take the place of a recently lost pet.

This 10-year-old gentleman has a sweet temperament and is ready for a life of comfort! After spending the last six months living outside in a backyard and seeking shelter beneath a porch, SSLR stepped in to rescue this incredibly resilient boy. Peter is a calm, perfectly house-trained companion who is fully ready to trade the cold ground for a soft indoor bed.
Meet the Perfect Gentleman
• Age: 10 years old (and full of wisdom!)
• Temperament: Sweet, chill, and deeply affectionate
• Home Manners: Fully house-broken, does not require a crate, and has zero bad habits, no jumping, no counter surfing, and no getting on furniture
• Social Style: Calmly approaches for pets, loves attention, and takes treats very gently
Peter absolutely loves his daily walks. He moves at a moderate to slow pace, prefers walking over sniffing, and is completely unbothered by cars, bikes, golf carts, other dogs, or even backyard bunnies. Because of his past, he needs short, consistent walks to help build up the muscles in his hind quarters.

His Dream Retirement Home
If you have a soft dog bed, plenty of love to give, and a soft spot for senior dogs, you are his perfect match. He only barks occasionally, loves his food, and promises to be the easiest, most devoted companion you could ever ask for. Visit SSLR.org to apply. Peter is fostered in Vero Beach Florida.

Lucy came to our rescue from Miami-Dade shelter. She is a beautiful 4 year old yellow Labrador Retriever and weighs 83 l...
08/29/2026

Lucy came to our rescue from Miami-Dade shelter. She is a beautiful 4 year old yellow Labrador Retriever and weighs 83 lbs. Lucy has been living with her trainer in her home with husband and children and dog. She is a good companion, very smart, and great with kids and family.
Lucy is crate trained, has been exposed to public settings like the beach, parks, (kids playing ball, on bicycles, scooters, downtown etc.). Lucy walks well on a leash, can walk with other dogs on leash, 📌but needs to be the only dog in the home📌. Lucy loves to swim and play ball so a pool would be a plus, and because of her prey instincts, she needs to have a fenced in back yard.
🌻Lucy will thrive with an individual or family who is an experienced dog owner, who understands her needs, and will continue with her training to reinforce boundaries and let Lucy know she is safe, and that you are the one in control. Calm, trust, patience, consistency is key for a wonderful family member.
🌻If Lucy sounds like she is a good fit for you and/or your family, let us know! She is a very special girl!
Meet Lucy 🐾

🌻Hi, I’m Lucy! I’m a sweet, affectionate girl around 3 – 4 years old who absolutely loves cuddling and soaking up belly rubs. I have a gentle heart and a playful side. I enjoy spending time playing in the yard, but I’m just as happy curling up for a nice nap afterward.
I can be a little shy when meeting new people, but once I warm up, I become a loyal and loving companion. My foster mom says I’m very smart and have so much potential, I just need someone patient and experienced who’s willing to continue helping me learn and grow.
I’m currently working on my manners, especially not jumping and walking nicely on a leash, so I’d do best in a home without small children or individuals who may be unsteady on their feet. With consistency and training, I know I’ll keep improving!
I’d love a home with a big, fenced yard where I can run, play, and explore safely.
My ideal home:
✔ Experienced dog owner
✔ Large fenced yard
✔ Someone patient who will continue my training
✔ A home where I can build confidence and thrive
If you’re looking for a loving, playful, and devoted companion and are willing to help me reach my full potential, I just might be your perfect match. I can’t wait to find my forever home. ❤️. Visit SSLR.org to apply.

Today, we remember the Labs who left paw prints on our hearts. 🐾🌈Some may no longer be by our side, but their love, loya...
08/28/2026

Today, we remember the Labs who left paw prints on our hearts. 🐾🌈
Some may no longer be by our side, but their love, loyalty, and unforgettable spirits will always be part of us.

For every Lab loved. For every Lab remembered. Forever in our hearts. 💛🐾. Share a photo of your rainbow pet......

Say Hello to Shadow!She was found wandering the streets of Miami, but today, Shadow is showing everyone just how special...
08/27/2026

Say Hello to Shadow!
She was found wandering the streets of Miami, but today, Shadow is showing everyone just how special she really is. 🐾
This sweet girl loves her people, enjoys being close, and is learning to face the world with confidence. She’s smart, affectionate, playful, and doing beautifully with positive encouragement.

Shadow isn’t just looking for a home, she’s looking for her people. 🌸

Could you be the family this sweet girl has been waiting for? 😎🍥🎀💗
https://sslr.org/available-dogs/entry/2014/?gvid=873&pagenum=2

Address

PO Box 6291
Spring Hill, FL
34611

Telephone

+18333525227

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