Poodle Rescue: 9 Best Places to Look For One

Updated 03/31/2023 – Looking for a poodle rescue? Well you’re not alone.

Poodles have been on the top 10 most popular dog lists since… well forever. And it’s no wonder why. They are extremely versatile dogs.

First they come in four different sizes; Standard, Miniature, Toy and Moyen (medium) which makes it easy to find one that fits your life.

Next they are bred to be water retrievers, meaning they love to be around people on land and in the water. They are also very smart, only second to the Border Collie.

Plus they are naturally low shedding which means they are hypoallergenic. What more could you ask for in a dog.

I would have adopted one but couldn’t find one when we were looking for a dog. So to help others I have created a list of the 9 best places to look for a Poodle rescue.

5 Top Reasons Poodles Are In Shelters

1. Death – Not only do poodles live a long time. Small poodles can live until 18 -20 years old. They are also a favorite dog for the elderly due to their easy going personality. This often means that the poodle outlives their owners. Without a plan in place for when the owners die many find themselves with no place to live.

2. Finances – Sometimes life happens in a way that we don’t expect and can’t control. People who are unable to afford the care needed for their pet will turn them over to a rescue with the hope that they will be placed in a loving home that can take care of them.

3. Unwanted litter – Poodle puppies can come from either unplanned litters or careless breeders that could not sell the puppies.

4. Behavioral Issues – Poodles, like all dogs, need to be trained and socialized properly. Untrained puppies grow up to be mischievous adults that get into trouble. When inexperienced dog owners are unable to train their dog they will ship them off to the shelter.

5. Housing changes- Much like with our finances, there are times that we need to move, but cannot find a place that will accept pets.

9 Ways to Increase your Chance of Getting a Rescue

These days there are more people than ever looking to adopt a rescue. Rescue groups have often stated in posts that they get hundreds of applications for one dog. Typically these high in demand dogs are young and one of the popular breeds.

To give you the best chance of being selected we have come up with 9 ways to increase your odds of getting selected.

1. Be open to the color, fur type, age and gender of the dog you are looking for. Very specific preferences will limit your ability to be matched with a dog.

2. Review the rescue’s requirements. Make sure you meet all the requirements before filling out an application.

3. Read the adoption policy – Ask questions if there is something you don’t understand.

4. Be prepared. If the rescue requires references or a home check get everything in order before they start to review your application. This means letting the references know about the calls and getting your home ready for a new dog.

5. Complete the application in its entirety. Most rescues are very busy and run by volunteers. Missing information might make them move on to the next person.

6. Be patient. It may take some time before a rescue poodle is available in your area. Also there may be a line of potential adopters already looking for the same dog.

7. Email alerts – Sign up for email alerts from petfinder.com with the specifics of what you are looking for (breed, size, age, etc.)

8. ‘Like’ their Facebook page – Many rescue groups post pictures of intakes on their Facebook page before posting anywhere else. Make sure your Facebook setting is setup to notify you when they post new content.

9. Keep looking. Check rescue websites and Facebook groups daily to see what new pups may be available.

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.

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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