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Cavapoo Rescue: 10 Best Places to Look for One

Cavapoo Rescue updated 03/13/2024: If you’re on the hunt for a doodle or poodle crossbreed that’s a tad smaller than the usual Goldendoodle, Labradoodle, or Bernedoodle, than you should consider getting a Cavapoo. This charming little designer crossbreed combines the elegance of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with either a mini or toy poodle, creating a pup that’s not just super cute but also compact and cuddly. Cavapoos have been stealing hearts left and right with their adorable looks and friendly nature, making them a popular pick among dog lovers.

However, this popularity means that finding a Cavapoo in a rescue can be a bit like searching for a needle in a haystack – not impossible, but definitely challenging. But don’t worry, I’ve got your back! Stick around, and I’ll guide you through the 10 best places to search for a Cavapoo rescue.

But why are Cavapoos so popular, you ask? Well, they’re not just a pretty face. These pups are known for their sweet disposition, intelligence, and hypoallergenic coats, making them ideal for families and individuals alike, especially those with mild allergies. They’re like the perfect little package of canine companionship. So, if you’re ready to add a furry bundle of joy to your life, let’s dive into the world of Cavapoos and where you can find one to call your own.

So, stick around as we show you the best places to search for a Cavapoo Rescue.

Cavapoo Rescue: The 11 Best Places to Look for One

The Cavapoo

The Cavapoo is a designer crossbred that mixes the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with a mini poodle or a toy poodle.

Their petite size makes them a popular choice for people who want a small pup that is easy to manage. Keep reading to learn more about the Cavapoo.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and toy Poodle – Canva

6 Things to Know About the Cavapoo Rescue

1. They go by multiply names

Other names for the Cavapoo include the Cavoodle and Cavadoodle. The names are a blend of names from the parent breeds of Cavalier and Poodle.

Although they can go by different names they are most often referred to as a Cavapoo. When searching for this pup on rescue sites make sure you look for all three names plus the names of the parent breeds.

2. They are small

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is part of the toy group of dog breeds as are toy poodles so when you mate them you typically end up with a small dog.

Though the actual size may vary, most Toy Cavapoos will be 7 to 13 pounds and 9 to 12 inches tall. When a mini poodle was used for breeding you can expect your Mini Cavapoo to be 13 to 25 pounds and 12 to 16 inches tall. However it is not uncommon for poodle mixes to end up bigger that either parent.

If you want to learn more about the Cavapoo sizes and how you can estimate the size of your future pup visit our post: Cavapoo Full-Grown: How Big Do They Get?

3. Have a Sweet Temperament

Ask any person that shares their life with a Cavapoo and they will tell you they are incredibly sweet, playful dogs that love people.

This is no surprise when you consider that both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the mini poodle are bred to be companion dogs. They are also reported to be intelligent and easy to train

In addition to all this the Cavapoo makes a great travel companion. They love car rides, but it is important to introduce them to the car and other modes of transportation early in life.

They are very social and love everyone they meet.

The biggest issue with the Cavapoo’s temperament is that they want to be near you all the time. They are often called a “Velcro dog” due to their need for a lot of face time.

Although they want to be close to you they don’t need that much exercise. A couple of walks and some playtime in the yard or park every day with keep them content to just hang out by your side the rest of the day.

4. Come in various colors

You can find the Cavapoo in either the typical colors of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the colors of a poodle. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel comes in four different colors and each one has a name. The names are:

  • Prince Charles – these pups have a tri colored black and white coat with brown markings;
  • King Charles – are black and tan;
  • Ruby – (my favorite) are a mahogany color and
  • Blenheim – which are Chestnut and white.

Poodles can come in an assortment of colors and patterns including; black, white, brown, red, apricot plus patterns like the tuxedo.

5. Can be an F1, F1b, or as a multigenerational doodle

Just like other poodle mix breeds the Cavapoo can be found in variety of generation mixes. The most common being F1 which is a first generation 50/50 mix of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and either a mini or toy poodle.

A F1B is generally a Cavapoo that has been breed to a poodle. A Multigenerational Cavapoo is typically two Cavapoo breed together. All the different combination will result in different coloring and fur types based on how much poodle vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are in the mix.

6. Low Shedding

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC) both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the poodle are considered to be low shedding dogs. The AKC rates shedding on a scale of 1 to 5. 1 is the lowest amount of shedding and 5 is a heavy shedder.

On this scale the CKCS rates a 2 and the poodle rates a 1. This means even a F1 Cavapoo which is 50% poodle and 50% CKCS should be a fairly low shedder.

6 Tips for Finding a Cavapoo Rescue

  1. Check all possible names– When looking on rescue sites like Petfinder.com and Adoptapet.com look for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, poodles and all the different names of Cavapoos.
    • When researching for this article I found that most rescue organizations labeled their available dogs as Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and poodle mix. Not as a Cavapoo.
  1. Be open to the color, fur type, age and gender of the dog you are looking for. Very specific requirements will limit your ability to be matched with a dog.
  1. Get to know the rescue before you find a puppy you want
    1. Review the rescue’s requirements and make sure you meet all of them.
    2. Read the adoption policy – Ask questions if there is something you don’t understand.
    3. Make sure to complete the application in its entirety.
  1. Be prepared. If the rescue requires references or a home check get everything in order before you complete the application.
  1. ‘Like’ their Facebook page – Many rescue groups will post pictures of intakes on their Facebook page before posting anywhere else. Set your Facebook notifications to receive alerts of new posts.
  1. Keep looking. Check rescue websites and Facebook groups daily to see what new pups may be available. You can also set up email alerts on Petfinder.com but don’t rely on them. A popular dog could be adopted before you get the email.

Alternatives to a Cavapoo

If you’re having a hard time finding a Cavapoo. you may want to check out these other small, low shed dog breeds: Mini Goldendoodle Rescue, Maltipoo Rescu, Cockapoo Rescue, mini Poodle Rescue and Shih Tzu Rescue

Cavapoo Rescue: The 11 Best Places to Look for One

Where to Look for a Cavapoo rescue

Since the Cavapoo rescue is not as common as a Goldendoodle rescue or Labradoodle rescue or even a Bernedoodle rescue it will be harder to find one in a rescue but that doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to find one.

You just need to know where the best places to look are. Whenever I am looking for a specific breed of dog I start with breed specific rescues. In this case I would research all the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and poodle rescue groups.

Also look for doodle rescue groups. Below are our top picks for the best place to find a Cavapoo Rescue.

1. Cavalier Crazy Rescue

First on our list of the best places to find a Cavapoo Rescue is the Cavalier Crazy Rescue in Utah. This 501(c)3 non-profit organization specializing in Cavalier King Charles Spaniel that are in need of rescue or rehoming, but they also help out Cavalier King Charles Spaniel mix breeds including poodle mixes.

Located near Salt Lake city, Utah they utilize the help of volunteers to foster and care for the dogs until they are available for adoption. All dogs are health checked, spayed/neutered and brought up to date on vaccines.

Dogs come to Cavalier Crazy Rescue in a number of ways including owner releases, local shelters and sometimes released from breeders.

The Cavalier Crazy Rescue will allow out of state adoptions on a case by case basis but you must be able to come to pick up the dog.

They also note that their dogs may be adopted by foster families before they become available to the general public.

To learn more about the Cavalier Crazy Rescue you can check out their website or Facebook page.

 2. Carolina Poodle Rescue

The Carolina Poodle Rescue (CPR) is a registered 501(c) 3 non-profit.  They are a private rescue group that helps poodles, poodle mixes and other small dogs making them a good choice to look for a Cavapoo.

All dogs with the CPR live at the Dreamweaver Farm. The farm is located in northern part of South Carolina.

Dogs with Carolina Poodle Rescue 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.  

To become an adopter from this rescue the first step is to read the complete bio on any dog you are interested in and than you need to complete an application

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 Carolina Poodle Rescue on Facebook and Instagram

Need a name for your new cavapoo? Checkout our post on 399+ Best Cavapoo Dog Names: Our Top Picks

Cavapoo sitting

3. IDOG Rescue

Another great place to search for poodle mix breeds is the IDOG Rescue group based in Houston, Texas. Even though IDOG is based in Texas they serve doodles in need throughout the US by using a network of volunteers that rescue and foster dogs where they are.

Much like the Doodle Recue Collective they started out primarily focusing on Labradoodles and Goldendoodles but have expanded to include Standard Poodles and Poodle mixes

The volunteers have working relationships with local shelters that inform them when they get a doodle 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 Poodles or Doodles to help find the dogs their new forever home.

You can find IDOG Rescue on Petfinder.com and also on Facebook and Instagram

Adult  Cavoodle - Canva

4. Doodle Dandy Rescue

Doodle Dandy Rescue is a Texas state wide doodle rescue that is based in Dallas, but has volunteers in Austin, San Antonio and Houston. They are a 100% volunteer, foster-based rescue.

Their mission is to rescue, rehabilitate & rehome all types of Doodles in their service area. They do this by working with local shelters to rescue poodle mix breed dogs that are in these shelters and other situations where the dog is in danger or neglect.

In addition to working with shelters they work with people who are in need of rehoming services to ensure their dog is placed in safe homes.

Some of the dogs that come to them are abandoned, injured, malnourished, and severely matted. Once in their care, dogs receive medical assessment, treatment, and grooming as needed as well as behavioral attention as they transition from traumatized to secure. 

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

5. Doodle Rock Rescue

Doodle Rock Rescue is based in the Dallas/Fort Worth, TX area. The foster-based organization specializes in rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming 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.

The Doodle Rock Rescue has rescued, rehabilitated, and rehomed more than 1,000 dogs in need since their start in 2017. The Doodle Rock Rescue specializes in helping dogs in South Texas shelters.

These shelters have some of the highest euthanasia rates in the nation. But they also rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome abused, neglected, and abandoned poodle mixes from all over the United States.

Dogs are placed in foster homes where they receive needed medical care and/or behavioral modification until they are ready to be placed into their forever homes.

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

Happyoodles.com Cavapoo Rescue: The 11 Best Places to Look for One - Puppy sitting

6. Somerset Cottage Poodle Rescue

The Somerset Cottage Poodle Rescue is a 501(c)3 charity organization that is run by volunteers and funded by donations. Their mission is to rescue companion dogs, like the Cavapoo. Their primary focus in on Poodles, Poodle mixes, Bichons, Maltese, Shih Tzu and other non-shedding hypoallergenic companion dogs.

They are located in Fairfax, Virginia with their primary service area in Northern Virginia. However they will adopt to out of state applicants as long as they have an approved application and come to personally pick up the dog in Alexandria Va.. They do not transport dogs.

Dogs in Somerset Cottage Poodle rescue come from overcrowded high kill shelters and from owners who need to rehome their dogs when they can no longer care for them.

All of their available dogs live in foster homes throughout the Northern Virginia area. While in foster care they are cared for and evaluated for placement.

If you go to the Somerset Cottage Poodle Rescue Foster Fail Club page you will find that many of their adoptees are actually foster fails, meaning that the foster family adopted the pup.

Foster families are given first right of refusal for the dogs in their care. So if you live nearby becoming a foster parent may be a great way to help dogs in need while looking for your forever pup.

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

7. NorCal Poodle Rescue

NorCal Poodle Rescue is a non-profit rescue that was founded by a poodle breeder in 1985. It was her desire to help Poodle and Poodle mixes find new forever homes. Since then the group has rescued and rehomed about 2,000 dogs in the North California area.

All dogs in their care are groomed if needed, made current on their vaccinations, and have a spay/neuter certificate. They also microchipped when they are ready for their new home. 

NorCal Poodle Rescue is one of the few groups that choose to board most of their rescues rather than use volunteers to foster the dogs.

You can find NorCal Poodle Rescue on Facebook and Instagram

Cavapoo Rescue - Cavapoo love Canva

8. Florida Poodle Rescue, Inc.

Florida Poodle Rescue, Inc. is another non-profit rescue that specializes in the rehoming of Poodles and Poodle mixes. They are headquartered in the Tampa Bay area, but provide rehoming services all throughout the state of Florida.

Dogs are examined by a veterinarian and given the care as needed. This includes spaying/neutering, vaccines, dental procedures, preventative medications, and microchips.

Dogs are placed in foster homes to help them adjust to a different life then what they may have known before being adopted.

A rescue’s stay in foster care varies from several days to several months, depending on their condition when they arrived at Florida Poodle Rescue.

You can learn more about Florida Poodle Rescue, Inc. on their website and Facebook and Instagram

9. 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.

Their belief is that everyone can make a difference in the world, one rescued dog at a time. Rescued dogs are kept in foster until the right family is found.

You can find For the Love of Poodles and Pooches Rescue on Facebook and Petfinder.com

Cavadoodle running - Canva

10. PetFinder.com

Petfinder.com is one of the best places to start looking for a Cavapoo Rescue. Unlike individual rescue sites that only list their own available dogs, Petfinder.com lists 1,000’s of dogs from all different rescues and local shelters making it a one stop place to look for your future best friend.

Just remember the first tip I gave you in the start of this post. Use the filters on Petfinder.com to check all possible names for the Cavapoo. This includes looking at the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and poodle. Plus all the different names of the Cavapoo, like Cavoodle and Cavadoodle.

In addition to being able to filter on breed you can also filter your search results by age, gender and a few more categories. Petfinder.com also gives you the option to setup email notifications to let you know when a new dog is listed that matches your criteria.

Cava poo with toy donut - Canva

Cavapoo Rescue Resources

More places to find a dog to adopt

charlotte

Tuesday 12th of March 2024

Looking for an older dog near minnesota

Bonnie

Tuesday 12th of March 2024

Hi,

If there are no Cavapoo Rescues in your area, try searching on Petfinder.com. Just remember to fully vet any rescue and meet the dog before giving them money.

Best of luck,

Bonnie