Black Labrador Retriever and Catahoula Leopard Dog Dogs Available for Adoption in Franklin, Tennessee

ADOPTION FEE $375.00


Thank you for choosing to adopt or foster and aid in the rescue efforts of RARE! 

**Adoption Interest Form REQUIRED via our website Rarerescue.org**

Lily Mae’s story is one of resilience, luck, and the kindness of strangers.

She and her siblings were discovered abandoned in a cardboard box deep in the woods. In an incredible act of instinct and bravery, one of her sisters wandered out into the road, ultimately leading to their rescue. Local authorities traced the situation back to an elderly man who was no longer able to care for the puppies, with their mother nowhere to be found.

With the only immediate option being an already full rural shelter, a compassionate search & rescue volunteer stepped in without hesitation. He brought the puppies back to his training site, where he and fellow team members created a safe, makeshift space to keep them warm and protected. After training, he and his wife took the entire litter home to Tennessee, providing around-the-clock care and covering veterinary expenses themselves to ensure the puppies received vaccines, deworming, and a healthy start.

Because of their incredible compassion, Lily Mae and her siblings were given the second chance they so deeply deserved.

Now, Lily Mae is ready for her next chapter. Two of her siblings have already found loving homes within the search and rescue community, and Lily Mae is patiently waiting for a family of her very own through RARE.

Lily Mae is as beautiful as she is sweet, with shiny black fur and adorable lab-like ears that frame her expressive face. She absolutely loves being held and snuggled, happily melting into your arms any chance she gets. She’s a smart little girl, already learning to sit on command and doing wonderfully with potty training. At the end of the day, she enjoys winding down with a cozy cuddle—and she especially loves a gentle bedtime lullaby.

Like any puppy, Lily Mae is playful, curious, and eager to explore the world around her, but she also has a soft, affectionate side that makes her incredibly special. She’s learning what it means to feel safe, loved, and cared for, and she’s ready to continue that journey with a forever family by her side.

If you’re looking for a puppy with a beautiful spirit, a heart full of love, and a story that will stay with you forever, Lily Mae just might be your perfect match.

Completing the Adoption Application is required to start the Adoption Process.

STEPS TO ADOPT:

Read the adoptable’s bio below, including their adoption fee

Go to RARErescue.org and Read our ADOPTION PROCESS page under the "Adopt" section 

Complete the  DOG ADOPTION INTEREST FORM (located on our website RARErescue.org)

We understand that it is important to you to find the right fit for your family. We feel the same way! The DOG ADOPTION INTEREST FORM is important and REQUIRED for this reason. 

All of our Adoptables are:

Spayed/neutered; Up to date on vaccines; Heartworm tested if six months or older (& kept on heartworm preventative and treated for heartworms if positive when entering our program): Microchipped prior to adoption

BREEDS: We are not breed experts. The breed(s) listed for each adoptable are best guesses or suggestions.

PLEASE NOTE: We are a non-profit organization without municipal or government funding. Veterinary/Medical expenses are constant for an animal rescue. Our adoption fees not only help to provide vetting and care for the animal being adopted, but they also help to cover heartworm treatments and other treatable ailments that many animals, that would otherwise be euthanized, need in order to be made available for adoption.

Please understand that adopting an animal is a LIFETIME COMMITMENT to that animal and there will be veterinary expenses throughout their life that can often cost several hundreds, if not thousands of dollars (without pet insurance), especially without annual checkups and preventative care.  As a potential family for this pet you are responsible for their safety and that includes keeping them on your property.

***If you are not in the middle Tennessee area, transport can potentially be arranged to approved homes, depending on distance and local adaptability. We normally do not allow adoptions outside of 1.5 hours driving distance.

The black Labrador Retriever is a popular and versatile breed known for its friendly nature, intelligence, and loyalty. They are agile, keen swimmers with a strong work ethic, making them excellent hunting and service dogs. Their glossy black coat is low maintenance and sheds minimally, while their friendly temperament makes them great family pets. Black Labs are known for their outgoing personalities and eagerness to please, making them loving companions in various roles and settings.

The Catahoula Leopard Dog, a unique and versatile breed originally from Louisiana, is known for its striking coat patterns resembling a leopard. These dogs are esteemed for their intelligence, loyalty, and exceptional working abilities. With a strong instinct for herding and tracking, they excel in diverse roles such as hunting, herding, and search and rescue. Renowned for their protective nature and affection towards their families, Catahoula Leopard Dogs make devoted companions for owners committed to providing them with proper training and stimulation.

Rural Animal Rescue Effort (RARE) is a foster-based, 501 (c) 3 Non-Profit Organization with a mission to rescue neglected and...