Goldendoodle Rescue: 13 Best Places To Look in the USA

Updated 03/31/2023 – Are you looking for a Goldendoodle Rescue to adopt but don’t know where to start? You are not alone.

Goldendoodles are wonderful dogs that are high in demand. It can be difficult to find one from a reputable breeder let alone find one that is looking to be adopted.

But even with the high demand, there are still Goldendoodles in need of a new home throughout the USA. But you need to know where to look.

Here we will show you the 13 Best Goldendoodle rescue sites to find a doodle, plus tips to help you during the adoption process.

How to find a Goldendoodle Rescue near me?

The best place to find a Golden doodle rescue is at a rescue organization that specializes in re-homing Goldendoodles.

You can find these rescues on both the national and local levels. Some specifically deal with all types of poodle mix-breeds and some are pure-bred rescues that also help dogs that are part of the pure-breed they work with.

In the case of the Goldendoodle you should look at Golden Retriever Rescues, Poodle Rescues and doodle rescues.

On occasion, you may be able to find a Golden doodle in need of re-homing through a local shelter or general rescue but it’s not common.

Are you ready to share your life with a Goldendoodle Rescue?

Before you start looking for a Goldendoodle Rescue make sure to do your research. You should look into what it takes to care for a Goldendoodle. Here is a quick overview of the Goldendoodle.

The Goldendoodle or Mini Goldendoodle is a cross between the fun-loving Golden Retriever and the high intelligent Poodle. Both breeds are considered to have high energy and are great family dogs.

When you cross the two breeds you end up with a high energy, fun loving dog that is a family favorite. You can also end up with a very large dog. A full-grown Goldendoodle can be larger than either parent breed.

Goldendoodle are billed as non-shedding dogs, but then can still shed.

Goldendoodles come in a few different generations. The most common ones you will find in rescues are the F1 Goldendoodle, and F1b Goldendoodle, but there are also the F2 Golden doodle, the F2B Golden doodle and multi-generation Golden doodle.

Before adopting a Goldendoodle

Before deciding to adopt a Goldendoodle it’s important to think about how you will care for them. In our post Why the Goldendoodle is not for everyone we go over some of the aspects of Goldendoodles you may not be ready for. 

In addition some rescue dogs come from difficult situations, or have medical needs. They may need special care and guidance to help them live a normal life.

Why do Goldendoodles end up in rescues?

Goldendoodles find themselves looking for a home for a number of reasons. Most of the reasons are not the dog’s fault. Here are 7 reasons why a Goldendoodle ends up in a rescue:

1. Caretakers Health
2. High Energy Level
3. Not properly trained by owner
4. Changes in the family
5. Kids and dog do not get along
6. Allergies
7. They are released from a breeder

Goldendoodle Rescue: The 13 Best Places to Look for One

Disclosure: We do not endorse any of the groups or websites listed in this post. Please make sure you do your research.

Best National Goldendoodle Rescues

These rescues work in all fifty states and some even offer rescue and adoption services in Canada. Since they specialize in poodle crossbreeds you will have a better chance finding a Goldendoodle with these rescues then with a local shelter or rescue.

1. Doodle Rescue Collective

Doodle Rescue Collective Service Area: Alabama (AL), Alaska (AK), Arizona (AZ), Arkansas (AR), California (CA), Colorado (CO), Connecticut (CT), Delaware (DE), District of Columbia (DC), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Idaho (ID), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Kentucky (KY), Louisiana (LA), Maine (ME), Maryland (MD), Massachusetts (MA), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), Mississippi (MS), Missouri (MO), Montana (MT), Nebraska (NE), Nevada (NV), New Hampshire (NH), New Jersey (NJ), New Mexico (NM), New York (NY), North Carolina (NC), North Dakota (ND), Ohio (OH), Oklahoma (OK), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), Rhode Island (RI), South Carolina (SC), South Dakota (SD), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Utah (UT), Vermont (VT), Virginia (VA), Virgin Islands (VI), Washington (WA), West Virginia (WV), Wisconsin (WI), Wyoming (WY) and parts of Canada

The Doodle Rescue Collective is a great rescue organization that specializes in re-homing Goldendoodles, Labradoodles and every other kind of Doodle. Based in Warwick, RI, the Doodle Rescue Collective specializes in rescuing doodles from shelters.

They also run a re-homing program for doodle owners that need to find a new home for their dog.

The collective consists of over 800 registered volunteers in the USA and parts of Canada. Volunteers work with local shelters to place doodles in need of a safe home in foster homes until a permanent home can be found.

According to their website they have saved and placed over 4,000 doodle dogs through their “Rescue/Rehome Program.”

You can find the Doodle Rescue Collective at their website and also on Facebook.

2. IDOG Rescue

IDOG Service Area: Alabama (AL), Alaska (AK), Arizona (AZ), Arkansas (AR), California (CA), Colorado (CO), Connecticut (CT), Delaware (DE), District of Columbia (DC), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Idaho (ID), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Kentucky (KY), Louisiana (LA), Maine (ME), Maryland (MD), Massachusetts (MA), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), Mississippi (MS), Missouri (MO), Montana (MT), Nebraska (NE), Nevada (NV), New Hampshire (NH), New Jersey (NJ), New Mexico (NM), New York (NY), North Carolina (NC), North Dakota (ND), Ohio (OH), Oklahoma (OK), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), Rhode Island (RI), South Carolina (SC), South Dakota (SD), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Utah (UT), Vermont (VT), Virginia (VA), Virgin Islands (VI), Washington (WA), West Virginia (WV), Wisconsin (WI), Wyoming (WY)

Another great place to search is the IDOG Rescue group based in Houston, Texas. Even though IDOG is based in Texas.

They serve Goldendoodles in need throughout the US by using a network of volunteers that rescue and foster Goldendoodles where they are.

The volunteers have working relationships with local shelters that inform them when they get a Goldendoodle in. This allows the group to get the dogs out of the shelter environment and into a home quickly.

They also work with individuals that need to rehome their Goldendoodle. IDOG rescue not only helps Goldendoodle, they also help all types of poodle mixes find a new home.

According to their website IDOG has successfully helped place over 2,600 dogs into their new forever homes. You can find IDOG Rescue on Facebook.

Regional Goldendoodle Rescue

3. Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue (DVGRR)

Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue Service Area: Eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware (DE), Maryland (MD) & New Jersey (NJ).

The Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue is a non-profit organization that rescues and re-homes displaced Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Goldendoodles, Labradoodles and other dogs in need.

DVGRR houses their rescues in a 50-kennel run facility called Golden Gateway, which is located at 60 Vera Cruz Road, Reinholds, PA 17569 near Reading, PA. All household members must be willing to come to the facility to meet the dog before adoption.

Since 1993, Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue has successfully placed over 5,000 Golden Retrievers and other DVGRR dogs into new homes per their website,

Once at the DVGRR facility dogs are assessed and evaluated for general health and temperament. In addition to that incoming dogs receive complete veterinary care at their on-site veterinarian clinic.

You can find DVGRR at their website and also on Facebook.

4. Doodle Rock Rescue

Doodle Rock Rescue Service Area: 350 miles within Dallas, TX area

Based in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Doodle Rock Rescue is a foster-based organization that specializes in rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing all types of poodle mixes (doodles).

Due to their home visit requirement they will only allow people who live within 350 miles of Dallas, TX to adopt dogs in their care.

They have rescued, rehabilitated, and re-homed more than 900 dogs in need since their start in 2017.

They specialize in helping dogs in South Texas shelters. Theses shelter have some of the highest euthanasia rates in the nation.

You can find the Doodle Rock Rescue at their website and also on Facebook.

5. Somerset Cottage Poodle Rescue

Somerset Cottage Poodle Rescue Service Area: Northern Virginia

The Somerset Cottage Poodle Rescue specializes in Poodles; Poodle mixes and other non-shedding hypoallergenic companion dogs.

Located in Fairfax, Virginia their primary service area is Northern Virginia. Like many of the other rescues on our list they use foster homes to house and evaluate dogs in their care before putting them up for adoption.

​Established in 2013, SCPR has helped over 800 dogs find permanent homes.

You can find the Somerset Cottage Poodle Rescue at their website and also on Facebook.

6. Golden Retriever Rescue Resource

Service area: Ohio (OH), Michigan (MI) & Indiana (IN).

Golden Retriever Rescue Resource, GRRR, Inc. specializes in re-homing abandoned strays & unwanted Golden Retrievers and Golden Retriever mixed dogs.

They are located in Waterville, Ohio. They limit their range of adoptions to places where they can do a home visit which includes areas in Ohio, Michigan & Indiana.

The Golden Retriever Rescue Resource is an all-volunteer non-profit golden retriever rescue

You can find the Golden Retriever Rescue Resource at their website, and also on Facebook.

7. GRIN Rescue

GRIN Rescue Service Area: Northeast Ohio and Western PA.

The GRIN in GRIN Rescue doesn’t just stand for the wonderful smiles Goldendoodles have, it also stands for Golden Retrievers In Need. This rescue specializes in Golden Retrievers (of course) and also Golden Retriever Mixes.

GRIN is a non-profit organization that is totally staffed by volunteers and has over 500 active members. GRIN does not have a facility.

They are a network of volunteers and foster homes scattered throughout Northeast Ohio and Western PA.

If you are interested in a younger dog GRIN has a waiting list for younger dogs. They recommend that if you are interested in adopting a younger dog that you apply in advance of seeing a younger dog on their website.

Their approval process takes about 2-4 weeks.

You can find the GRIN Rescue at their website, and also on Facebook.

8. Doodle Dandy Rescue

Service Area: Texas (TX)

Doodle Dandy Rescue is a nonprofit located in the Dallas/Fort Worth, TX area. They are a foster-based rescue, with volunteers in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio and Houston.

The mission of Doodle Dandy Rescue is to rescue, rehabilitate & rehome all types of Doodle dog in their service area, this includes Goldendoodles, and Labradoodles.

They only allow adoptions to people who live within a 5-hour drive of the main location outside of Dallas.

You can find the Doodle Dandy Rescue at their website, and also on Facebook.

9. NorCal Poodle Rescue

Service Area: Northern California area.

NorCal Poodle Rescue is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1985 by a poodle breeder. She saw a need to help Poodle and Poodle mixes find new forever homes and stepped up to help.

Located in Northern California, the NorCal Poodle Rescue is self-claimed to be the third largest poodle rescue in the United States.

While their primary focus is on the poodle they also help poodle mix breeds in need of a home including Goldendoodles and Labradoodles.

To discover more about the NorCal Poodle Rescue, check them out on their website, and also on Facebook.

10. Carolina Poodle Rescue

Service Area; North South Carolina and surrounding areas

Carolina Poodle Rescue is a nonprofit rescue organization that started out as a poodle rescue but has since opened their doors to all kinds of dogs in need.

While they still help a large number of poodles they also have a number of poodle mix-breeds including several Goldendoodles every year.

Their home base is located in South Carolina at the Dreamweaver Farm. Approved applicates must come to the farm to meet your future pup and their care takers before finalizing the adoption.

While their home base in in South Carolina they have volunteers in many states including North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, New York, Texas, and Georgia to help rescue dogs in need.

To discover more about the Carolina Poodle Rescue, check them out on their website, and also on Facebook.

11. For the Love of Poodles and Pooches Rescue

Service Area: Richmond, Virginia

For the Love of Poodles and Pooches Rescue is yet another Poodle rescue group that also has number of doodles available throughout the year.

Located in Richmond, Virginia they were founded in 2013 in the memory of the founder’s beloved toy poodles. While the rescue was started for Poodles in need they have grown to include all types of dogs.

Their belief is that everyone can make a difference in the world, one rescued dog at a time.

To find out more about For the Love of Poodles and Pooches Rescue, including the adoption process and application please visit their website or Facebook page.

12. Florida Poodle Rescue, Inc.

Service Area: Florida (FL)

Florida Poodle Rescue, Inc. was started by two women who care deeply about the plight of unwanted poodles. They now specializing in the re-homing of Poodles and Poodle mixes throughout the state of Florida.

When the dogs are rescues they are placed in foster homes that provide love and patience to help them adjust before being adopted.

A dog’s stay at Florida Poodle Rescue can range from several days to several months, depending on their condition when they arrived.

To discover more about the Florida Poodle Rescue, Inc., check them out on their website, and also on Facebook.

13. SPIN – Standard Poodles in Need

Standard Poodles in Need Service Area: Greater Toronto, Canada

Standard Poodles In Need, Rescue & Rehome is a Canadian non-profit foster-based organization based in the greater Toronto area but have volunteers throughout Canada. 

They specialize in standard poodles but also offer help to other poodle types and poodle mixes.   

Standard Poodles in Need Contact Information

For more information about Standard Poodles in Need, including the adoption process and application please visit their website at:

You can find Standard Poodles in Need adoptable dogs at their Website and Facebook page

How to Increase Your Odds of Being Selected for a Goldendoodle Rescue

1. Don’t be too specific in what you are looking for

2. Make sure you meet the requirements

Read all the materials the rescue group provides including how the process works and the requirements to adopt. Don’t waste your time applying at a rescue that you do not qualify for.

3. Watch Social Media Accounts

Keep an eye on Social Media accounts for your favorite rescue groups. Often, they will post advanced pictures of incoming dogs before they list the dogs on their own website.

4. Signup for updates

If the rescue you are interested in uses Twitter or Facebook make sure you sign up for notifications.

5. Get your personal references in order before you apply

Rescue groups want to make sure you will be a good pet parent. One of the ways they do this is to ask for personal reference and also one from your veterinarian.

6. Be patience

Rescue groups never know when they will get a dog in. On top of that they need to take time to evaluate the dogs to see if they are healthy or they have any behavioral issues.

How much does a Goldendoodle Rescue Cost?

Because Goldendoodles are very popular is it common to pay higher adoption fees for them. Adoption costs can range between $200 and $1000 to adopt a Goldendoodle.

Rescue groups generally have the dog vet checked before re-homing which adds to the cost. Either way the adoption fees should be lower than the cost of a Goldendoodle from a reputable breeder.

Need a new name for your Goldendoodle Rescue?

We have some posts that will help you find the perfect name for your new friend

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Bringing Home a Goldendoodle Puppy

Once you decide you want a Goldendoodle, you should start thinking about what you need for when you bring your puppy home. Puppies require many things, like a leash and collar, food bowls and toys.

One of the things you might not think about is where your puppy will go to the bathroom. Having an established place to train your puppy to go outside will make potty training easier. To learn more, check out our posts on Potty Training a Puppy: Made Easy and Outdoor Dog Potty Area Guide.

Need a name for your Goldendoodle? Check out our post with 275 Goldendoodle Names.

Have any tips on how to find a Goldendoodle Rescue?

Please add them to the comments below

Goldendoodle Rescue Resources:

• Goldendoodle Association of North America (GANA)
• Petfinder.com