HappyLabs is a non-profit rescue organization dedicated to saving Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and retriever mixes. Since 2005, we’ve rescued over 300 dogs from animal shelters and welfare centers throughout Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa, and Yamanashi prefectures, giving them a second chance at the life they deserve.

It started with ten abandoned Labrador Retrievers in July 2005—ten lives that would have been lost without intervention. Today, nearly two decades later, HappyLabs has grown into a passionate team of volunteers who’ve saved over 300 retrievers. Every member donates their time and expertise because we believe every retriever deserves a loving home.

The problem is getting worse. Retrievers are purchased because of their reputation as “gentle, smart dogs”—the guide dog image. But when families realize the commitment required for training, daily exercise, and long-term care, many give up. As dogs age and need medical attention, even more are abandoned.

We’re now seeing not only shelter surrenders, but a disturbing increase in direct abandonment—dogs left behind when they become “inconvenient.” These gentle souls who’ve done nothing wrong are paying the price for human failures.

Every dog we rescue goes to a carefully vetted foster home where they:

• Receive necessary medical care and rehabilitation
• Heal from physical and emotional trauma
• Learn (or relearn) how to trust humans
• Prepare for life in their forever home

Our breed expertise means we can provide specialized care and match each dog with the perfect family. We don’t just rescue—we ensure lifelong success through ongoing support for our adopters.

Since 2005, we’ve successfully rescued and placed over 300 retrievers. Each one found their forever family. Each one got their second chance.

Behind the numbers are real lives transformed. Every rescued dog receives a name from us—a gift carrying our hopes for their future:

Luana—Hawaiian for “to relax”—was only 2 years old when we found her, already having spent two years confined to a small pen, rarely walked, and fed cheap food. Despite this neglect, her inherent brightness shone through. In foster care, she learned what her name promised: how to relax, how to play, how to be loved. Today, Luana lives an adventure-filled life with her adopted Golden Retriever “big sister”—the joyful life every retriever deserves.

Kotaro (幸多郎—”may much happiness come to you”) was an elderly chocolate Labrador of unknown age from an animal welfare center. Shortly after his rescue, he required hospitalization. Though we couldn’t give him years, we gave him what his name promised. He didn’t die alone. As I held him in my arms during his final moments, I felt honored that HappyLabs could offer him warmth, dignity, and happiness in his journey home.

Not every rescue ends in a long life, but every dog deserves love and dignity—especially at the end.

Like other specialized rescues across Japan, we focus where we can make the greatest impact. Our team brings deep knowledge of retriever temperament, training needs, and health issues. This expertise means:

• Better matches between dogs and families
• Fewer failed adoptions
• Lifetime support for adopters
• Higher success rates

We’d love to save every dog. But with limited resources and growing abandonment rates, we serve retrievers most effectively through specialization. Large dogs face the greatest challenges finding homes—by focusing on what we know best, we save more lives.

As a 100% volunteer-run organization, every yen goes directly to the dogs. Your donation makes immediate impact:

¥3,000 → Every small amount adds up to save lives
¥10,000 → Vaccinations for one dog
¥30,000 → Partial medical care
¥50,000 → Neutering surgery
¥70,000 → Spaying surgery
¥100,000+ → Life-saving emergency care for senior dogs

No amount is too small—when many join together, we can save more lives. We can only help as many as our funding allows. Your donation makes the next rescue possible.

---

Whether ¥1,000 or ¥100,000, every contribution saves lives.

100% of your donation goes directly to dog care—not administrative costs.

---

Retrievers possess an extraordinary capacity for love. Even after betrayal and abandonment, they never give up on humans. We will never give up on them.

Every rescue creates ripples: second chances for dogs, community for adopters, meaning for donors.

These dogs never gave up on loving humans. Please don’t give up on them.

---