Updated 04/19/2024 – Doodles, Poos, or Poodle mixes – whatever you call them, these dogs have stolen the hearts of many dog lovers, myself included.
Their easy-going nature and soft, fluffy looks place these dogs high on the wish list of many future dog owners. Blending the smarts and low-shed coat of the Poodle with other beloved breeds, Doodles come in various adorable forms like the Labradoodle (Labrador and Poodle), Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever and Poodle), and Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel and Poodle).
However, despite their immense popularity, it’s surprising how many Doodles find themselves in shelters or with rescue organizations.
So, if you’re eyeing a Doodle for your next furry friend, why not consider rescuing one? It’s an opportunity to give a forever home to a dog that needs it, while gaining a companion that’s both loving and full of character.
Join us as we explore the 11 best places to start your search for a Doodle rescue.
In this post you will find:
- The Real Cost to Living with a Doodle Rescue
- How To Increase Your Chance Of Being Selected For A Rescue Dog
- 11 Best Places to Look for a Doodle Rescue
- Looking for a name for your new pup?
If you are looking for a specific doodle check out our posts on where to find a Goldendoodle Rescue, Labradoodle Rescue, Poodle Rescue, Cavapoo Rescue, Aussiedoodle Rescue, Cockapoo Rescue, Maltipoo Rescue, Sheepadoodle Rescue, or Bernedoodle Rescue.
The Real Cost to Living with a Doodle Rescue
Poodle mix breeds are wonderful dogs to share your life with but they are also an expensive dog to take care of. The monthly cost to take care of a doodle is higher than your average mix-breed dog.
Here is a look at some of the expenses that go along with sharing your life with a doodle.
- Grooming– This is probably the biggest ongoing expense in owning a Doodle. The cost to groom a doodle ranges from $60 to over $100 each time they go to the dog groomer. Doodles require grooming every 6 to 8 weeks. Doodles that are not groomed regularly are prone to mats due to shedding.
- Quality Food – A full sized doodle can grow to be a very large dog. This in turn means feeding them a larger quantity of high quality food.
- The Cost to Buy a Doodle – Due to the high demand for a doodles, breeders often charge a higher cost then a purebred dog. Even some rescues may charge a higher fee for doodle type dogs.
- Daycare – Doodles are very social dogs. They like to be around people or other dogs. Therefore if you are not around during the day you will need to consider either doggy day care or have a pet walker come in to be with your pet. But both options can be pricey.
How To Increase Your Chance Of Being Selected For A Rescue Dog
11 Best Places to Look for a Doodle Rescue
1. IDOG Rescue
IDOG is a national, not-for-profit dog rescue based Houston, Texas. They specialize in all types of doodles. IDOG works with shelters around the country to pull doodles as quickly as possible.
Once rescued from the shelters the dogs are placed in a foster home. Dogs are then evaluated for temperament and brought to a vet to be health checked.
Although based in Texas, they use a network of volunteers across the US and parts of Canada to help doodles in need.
They also have a re-homing program that help people who can no longer care for their doodle find a home for their dog.
According to their website IDOG has successfully helped place over 2,600 doodles into their new homes since 2006.
For more information about IDOG, including the adoption process and application please visit their website. Plus you can find IDOG on Facebook, Instagram and PetFinder
Not all Doodles are alike. If you are interested in learning more about doodles we have a series of posts on Doodles including; Goldendoodle vs Labradoodle: Which is Better?; and Black Goldendoodle: What You Need to Know
2. Doodle Rock Rescue
Doodle Rock Rescue (DRR) is a nonprofit rescue located in the Dallas/Fort Worth, TX area. They specialize in rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing doodles in need.
Their main focus is on helping dogs in South Texas shelters. This is due to the high euthanasia rates at shelters in South Texas. However they will accept dogs from all over the United States.
Although they will accept dogs from all over the country they only adopt to people who live within 350 miles of Dallas, TX. This is due to their home visit requirements.
In addition to offering rescue services, DRR also opened the CHEW Animal Clinic. The goal of this clinic is to provide high quality, yet affordable veterinarian care.
They serve local shelters, animal rescues groups and qualified families within the Dallas/Fort Worth area. CHEW also provides on-site group training to assist families and rescue partners with mild behavioral concerns.
For more information about DRR including the adoption process and application please visit their website. Plus you can find DRR on Facebook and Instagram
3. Doodle Dandy Rescue
Doodle Dandy Rescue (DDR) is a nonprofit rescue located in the Dallas/Fort Worth, TX area. While based in Dallas County, they work with shelters all across Texas.
They have over 500 active volunteers that provide rescue, and foster services. These volunteers help abandoned and abused Doodles in San Antonio, Houston, Austin and the DFW area.
However they only adopt to people that live within a 5 hour drive of the main location outside of Dallas.
Once in foster care dogs receive medical assessment, treatment, and grooming as needed. Behavioral training is also provided as they transition to new homes. This is a 100% volunteer rescue that relies on the help and donations of people who care about dogs.
For more information about DDR, including the adoption process and application please visit their website. You can also find DDR on Facebook, Instagram and Pettfinder.com
4. Carolina Poodle Rescue
Carolina Poodle Rescue is a limited entry private rescue group. They specialize in the rescue of Poodles, and Poodle mixes. But they also opened their doors to helping other small dogs in need.
Carolina Poodle Rescue is a nonprofit rescue organization that maintains a physical location called Dreamweaver Farm where the dogs reside. They can house over 150 animals or more at any given time
They are located in South Carolina, but they also have volunteers in other states including North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, New York, Texas, and Georgia.
All dogs are spayed or neutered prior to adoption. In addition to re-homing dogs, Carolina Poodle Rescue operates a sanctuary for a senior or special need dogs at the farm.
For more information about Carolina Poodle Rescue, including the adoption process and application please visit their website. Plus you can find Carolina Poodle Rescue on Facebook, Instagram and Petfinder.com
5. NorCal Poodle Rescue
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.
Since then the group has rescued and re-homed about 2,000 dogs in the North California area.
Needing more space to help dogs in need the NorCal Poodle Rescue made the decision to board their rescues instead of using foster homes. Although there are few dogs that are in foster homes.
ALL dogs are groomed, brought up-to-date on their vaccinations, have a spay/neuter requirement and are micro-chipped before they are eligible for adoption.
Standard poodles are also gastropexied, either before adoption or in cooperation with the adopter. The cost for the surgery is included in the adoption fees.
For more information about NorCal Poodle Rescue, including the adoption process and application please visit their website. Plus you can find NorCal Poodle Rescue on Facebook and Instagram
6. Florida Poodle Rescue, Inc.
Florida Poodle Rescue, Inc. is a non-profit rescue specializing in the re-homing of Poodles and Doodles. They are located in the Tampa Bay, FL area. B
ut provide re-homing services throughout the state of Florida. Florida Poodle Rescue uses volunteers to provide foster home for dogs while they wait to be adopted.
Dogs are examined by a veterinarian and provided with care as needed. This care includes spaying/neutering, vaccines, dental procedures, preventative medications, and microchips.
Florida Poodle Rescue also provides Poodles with treatment for active cases of heart-worm and major surgeries such as facial reconstruction, hip surgery, cataract surgeries, and broken bone repairs if needed.
For more information about Florida Poodle Rescue, Inc. including the adoption process and application please visit their website. Plus you can find Florida Poodle Rescue, Inc. on Facebook and Instagram
7. For the Love of Poodles and Pooches Rescue
For the Love of Poodles and Pooches Rescue in Richmond, Virginia was founded in 2013 in memory of the founder’s beloved toy poodles. The rescue was started for Poodles in need but as the rescue grew they expanded to include all types of dogs including Doodles.
They have a number of Doodles available for adoption throughout the year.
To find out more about For the Love of Poodles and Pooches Rescue, including the adoption process and application please visit their website. You can find FLOPAP Rescue adoptable dogs at Facebook and Petfinder.com
8. SPIN – Standard Poodles in Need
Standard Poodles In Need is a Canadian non-profit located in the greater Toronto area but have volunteers throughout Canada.
They specialize in standard poodles but also offer help to other poodle types and doodles. Like many of the other rescues SPIN uses volunteers to foster dogs until they find a permanent home.
For more information about Standard Poodles in Need, including the adoption process and application please visit their website. You can find Standard Poodles in Need adoptable dogs at Facebook and Petfinder.com
9. Somerset Cottage Poodle Rescue
The Somerset Cottage Poodle Rescue (SCPR) specializes in Poodles; Poodle mixes and other non-shedding hypoallergenic 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.
Somerset Cottage Poodle Rescue’s mission is to rescue companion dogs, especially seniors, at risk for euthanasia from overcrowded shelters.
They provide needed medical treatment for dogs. At the time of this writing SCPR have a number of poodle mix breeds ready for adoption.
You can find the Somerset Cottage Poodle Rescue at their website and also on Facebook.
10. Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue (DVGRR)
You might have noticed that the DVGRR doesn’t have doodle in its name. That’s because they started out as a Golden Retriever rescue. But then one day they were asked to find homes for 24 Goldendoodles that came from a closed breeder.
They decided to help the dogs find a home. Shortly after that more Doodles began to arrive at their door step and they decided to add Doodles to their mission.
DVGRR has placed more than 5,500 Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Golden doodles and Labradoodle since 1993.
Today DVGRR not only helps rescue dogs but also helps people re-home their dogs when they are no longer able to care for them. This service helps keep the dogs out of the shelters.
You can find DVGRR at their website and also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
11. GRIN Rescue
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 Goldendoodles.
GRIN is an all volunteer, non-profit organization. The organization 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.
GRIN keeps a waiting list of adopters who are looking for a younger dog. It’s recommend that if want a younger dog that you apply in advance of seeing a 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, Instagram and Twitter
Looking for a name for your new pup?
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