Who We Are

At Desert Labrador Retriever Rescue (DLRR), we believe every Labrador Retriever deserves a second chance at living their best life. We are a passionate, all-volunteer 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming Labrador Retrievers. Since 1999, we have rescued over 6,000 displaced Labrador Retrievers, giving them the care, attention, and loving homes they deserve.

Each dog in our care receives the necessary medical treatment, rehabilitation, and behavioral support to ensure they are ready for their forever home. Our Labs come from the county shelters and from owners who can no longer care for them due to illness, death, or loss of their job or home. We also rescue strays and those abandoned and friendly Labs with treatable illnesses who would otherwise face euthanasia due to overcrowded animal shelters.

Every Lab that comes through DLRR has a story, and we are committed to being their advocate and voice on their journey to a new beginning.

Today, we are not able to save all the Labs in Arizona that need our help. Our vision for the future is to work to increase public awareness and involvement throughout the state. We believe that this will compel more volunteers, fosters, and donors to join our organization, and someday soon, there will be no Labs in Arizona unable to get the rehabilitation and rehoming that they need and deserve.

Our goal isn’t to be the largest rescue in the state, but we will always strive to be the best one. Finally, thank you for your continued support and generosity towards our organization; we would not have been able to save so many Labs without you.

Founders Story

As DLRR marked its 25th anniversary in 2023, we spoke with Ilaria Keogh, one of the four founders of the rescue. In 1999, Ilaria moved to Arizona and couldn’t find a Lab rescue to volunteer with. So, she and others who shared her love for Labs decided to start DLRR that October, with the first adoption in December.

At the time, there were many purebred Labs in pounds, and they faced tough decisions on which ones to save due to limited resources. They chose the name “Desert Labrador Retriever Rescue” to strike a balance between specificity and inclusivity.

Ilaria cherishes a photo album from DLRR’s early days, featuring stories and pictures of rescue dogs. The first dog, Otto (renamed Murphy), came from Tucson Humane, was underweight, and had kennel cough. Thanks to DLRR, Murphy transformed into a happy, healthy dog. Though Ilaria now lives in California, DLRR remains a cherished and rewarding part of her life from her Arizona days.

DLRR Turns 25!

DLRR celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2023. We hope you enjoy a brief glimpse into DLRR, our dedicated volunteers and a few of our more memorable Labs that we were able to give a second chance at the life they deserved.

View the 25 Year Anniversary Commemorative Booklet: