Poodle Rescue: 9 Best Places to Look For One

Updated 04/19/2024 – Looking for a Poodle to rescue? You’re certainly not alone. Poodles have consistently ranked among the top 10 most popular dog breeds for as long as anyone can remember. And honestly, it’s easy to see why they’re so loved.

First off, Poodles are incredibly versatile, coming in four different sizes: Standard, Miniature, Toy, and Moyen. This variety makes it super easy to find a Poodle that fits perfectly into your lifestyle, whether you’ve got a large yard or a cozy apartment.

But size isn’t the only thing that makes Poodles stand out. Originally bred as water retrievers, they adore being around people, both on land and in the water. Combine this with their intelligence – they’re second only to the Border Collie in smarts – and you’ve got a dog that’s both fun and easy to train.

And let’s not forget one of the biggest perks: Poodles are naturally low-shedding, making them a great option for folks with allergies. Really, what more could you want in a furry companion?

I remember when I was looking for a dog, a Poodle was at the top of my list, but finding one to adopt was a challenge. So, to help others in their search, I’ve put together a list of the 9 best places to look for a Poodle rescue.

Stick around to find out where your new best friend might be waiting for you!

In this post you will find:

• 5 Reasons to Get a Poodle
• Tips on how to increase your chance of being selected by a rescue
• Best Places to Look for a Poodle Rescue in Florida

5 Reasons to Get a Poodle

1. Low shedding- If you are looking for a low shed dog then a poodle is a great choice.  They are naturally low to no shedding.  No crossbreeding necessary.

2. Hypoallergenic – Less shedding means less dander to fly around and cause allergies.

3. They are super smart – which means they are easier to train.

4. Super soft – Their fur is very soft.  Great for relaxing while petting them.

5. Come in 4 Sizes – Standard is the largest size, then the Moyen (medium) which is not recognized by the AKC, but popular in Europe; the miniature and the toy size.

How To Increase Your Chance Of Being Selected For A Rescue Dog

9 Best Places to Find a Poodle Rescue

1. The Poodle Club of America Rescue Foundation

The Poodle Club of America Rescue Foundation is not a rescue organization, but rather a collective of local and regional breed specific rescue groups.

Many of the rescues involved with this foundation are run by poodle breeders that feel strongly it is their responsibility to help poodles in need whenever possible.  

Unfortunately, not all poodle breeders have the same beliefs so PCARF steps in to fill in the gaps. The PCA Rescue Foundation focuses on rescuing and rehoming purebred Poodles.

You can find a list of local and regional rescues that are associated with the foundation here.

The PCA Rescue foundation also maintains a Facebook Group that showcases dogs available for adoption across the country in the PCA Rescue network.

2. Carolina Poodle Rescue

Service Area; North South Carolina and surrounding areas

The Carolina Poodle Rescue (CPR) is a registered 501(c) 3 non-profit.  They are a no-kill / limited entry private group that is open to poodles, poodle mixes and other small dogs.

All dogs with the CPR are housed at the Dreamweaver Farm located in northern part of South Carolina.

Dogs that are adopted from the CPR are spayed or neutered before being placed in their forever homes. The rescue also provides rehabilitation for dogs in need and has 50 senior and special needs dogs that they care for.  

Although located in South Carolina they do allow out of state adoptions, but all adopters must come to meet the dogs and volunteers before final approval. 

This includes all members of the household and other pets.  Make sure to read all the requirements before filling out an application.  

You can find CPR on Facebook and Instagram

3. Poodle Rescue of New England

Poodle Rescue of New England (PRNE) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing poodles.  

They are located in Somerville, Ma. but help poodles in need throughout New England including Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Upstate New York within a 1/2 hour of Albany.

PRNE is an all-volunteer organization that works with veterinarians, shelters, families and other rescue organizations to care for and re-home poodles.

While waiting for their forever homes dogs live in foster care and are spayed or neutered, heartworm tested, vaccinated and groomed.

You can find PRNE on Facebook. Make sure to like their FB page to receive updates on adoptable dogs

4. NorCal Poodle Rescue

Service Area: Northern California area.

NorCal Poodle Rescue (NCPR) was founded in 1985 by a Standard Poodle breeder in Lafayette, California.  The breeder stated that “she couldn’t justify breeding poodles when she knew there were dogs in shelters that needed homes.” 

Since that time NorCal claims to have grown into the third largest rescue for poodles in the United States. Located in Northern California they serve the area by rescuing and rehoming poodles and poodle mixes in need.

Manned by a group of volunteers they rescue, rehabilitate and find homes for more than 140 poodles and crossbreds each year.

Each poodle that is available for adoption is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, micro-chipped and groomed before adoption. Standard poodles are also gastropexied to prevent bloating.

They provide extensive medical care, fostering, boarding and training if needed before placement. And they have a return policy in the event that a poodle adoption doesn’t work out.

Unlike many other rescues NCPR rents space in a kennel to house their dogs in addition to volunteer foster homes.

You can find NCPR on Facebook and Instagram

5. Florida Poodle Rescue

Service Area: Florida (FL)

Florida Poodle Rescue, Inc. (FPR) is a non-profit 501(c) (3) which specializes in rescuing abused, abandoned and unwanted Poodles and Poodle mixes. 

They are headquartered in St. Petersburg, FL but work with volunteers to help poodles in need throughout the state of Florida.

Prior to adoption, all dogs are provided with professional veterinary care, including spay/neuter, as well as behavioral care and rehabilitation.

FPR does not have a facility, instead they use volunteer fosters to take care of the dogs while they wait for a forever home.  

It helps to complete the application process prior to finding a dog on their site.  All applications, including references checks, interviews, a home visit and approval must be done before you will be able to adopt a dog.

You can find FPR at Facebook and Instagram.

6. For the Love of Poodles and Pooches Rescue

Service Area: Richmond, Virginia

For the Love of Poodles & Pooches is a small, 501c3 dog rescue in Richmond, Va.  Although originally founded in 2013 in memory of founder’s toy poodles, they rescue all types of dogs including poodles and crossbreeds.

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

All dogs are vetted, brought up to date on vaccines and spay or neutered before adoption.  Before you can be considered for adoption your application must be completed and approved.

You can find For the Love of Poodles & Pooches at Facebook

7. 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.   

Dogs are kept in foster homes until they are ready for adoption.

You can find Standard Poodles in Need on Facebook and Petfinder.com

8. Michigan Standard Poodle Rescue

The Michigan Standard Poodle Rescue (MSPR) was started in 2014 after the founder helped her first poodle in need.  Since then they have helped hundreds of standard poodles find their forever home.

As the name implies MSPR rehomes and rescues standard poodles in the state of Michigan.  To be able to adopt a poodle from MSPR you must be a Michigan resident or a resident of a neighboring state.

You must also be able and willing to come to where the dog is to meet them and possible take them home.  They do not ship dogs.   

To adopt from MSPR you must complete the application process. Then if approved you will be matched to a poodle.  It may take a while to be selected. MSPR puts the needs of the dog first when making a match.

Many poodles are adopted based on prior applications so they never make it to the website or Facebook page.  To increase your chance of getting a poodle you should fill out an application before seeing one you are interested in.  

All dogs are spayed or neutered, heart-worm tested and treated, up to date on vaccines and are bathed and groomed if needed prior to becoming available for adoption

You can find MSPR on Facebook.

9. PetFinder.com

Ok, so technically Petfinder is not a rescue. But they do showcase rescues that do not have their own website like the Watchung Poodle Rescue in NJ.

Plus not all dogs in need of a home end up in a breed specific rescue. Many find themselves in an all breed rescue which makes Petfinder.com the easiest way to find them.

Petfinder.com allows you filter the dogs you want by breed, age, size, color, location and even by rescue group making it easy to sort through a lot of the thousands of dogs on the site.

Plus you can setup an email notification to show you new dogs that match your criteria.

Bringing Home a Poodle Puppy

Once you decide you want a Poodle, 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.

Poodle Resources:

• The Poodle Club of America
• American Kennel Club – Poodle Standard
• The Number One Reason People Dump Their Pets At Shelters

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