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6 Best Goldendoodle Rescue in Pennsylvania (PA)

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If you are looking for a Goldendoodle Rescue to adopt in or near Pennsylvania (PA), but you don’t know where to look, we are here to help.

Finding a Goldendoodle to adopt can be hard. Especially if you don’t know where to look. Most local shelters and rescue groups do not have Goldendoodles available for adoption.

Join us as we show you the best places to look for a Goldendoodle rescue in Pennsylvania (PA), plus tips to help you during the adoption process.

How to find a Goldendoodle Rescue in Pennsylvania?

The best place to find a Goldendoodle 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 purebred rescues that also help dogs that are part of the purebred they work with.

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

6 Best Goldendoodle Rescue in Pennsylvania (PA) Happyoodles.com

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

Most specialized rescue organizations have a relationship with the local shelter to inform them when a Goldendoodle has been surrendered to the shelter. Although shelters are there to help dogs in need, most dogs at shelter do not do well while they are there.

This arrangement allows the rescue group to quickly find a foster home for the dog in need. These dogs are then evaluated and provided with medical care. Thus, giving them the best chance to find a good forever home.

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 life with a Goldendoodle.

  • The Goldendoodle or Mini Goldendoodle is a cross between the fun-loving Golden Retriever and the highly intelligent Poodle.  
  • When you cross the two breeds you end up with a high energy, fun loving dog that is a family friendly.
  • You can also end up with a very large dog. A full-grown Goldendoodle can be larger than either parent breed.
  • Goldendoodles require regular coat maintenance.  This includes having professional haircuts every four to six weeks and daily brushing at home.  
  • While the Goldendoodle is billed as a non-shedding dog, they can still shed.   This is one of the reasons they end up in rescues.
  • Goldendoodles can be hypoallergenic due to less shedding, however a person with pet allergies can still be allergic to them.
6 Best Goldendoodle Rescue in Pennsylvania (PA)

What to know before you adopt a Goldendoodle rescue

Before deciding to adopt a Goldendoodle rescue it’s important to think about how you will care for them. In the 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. Make sure you are ready for these challenges before adopting a doodle.

Why do Goldendoodles end up in a rescue?

Goldendoodles may find themselves looking for a home for a number of reasons. Most of the reasons are not the dog’s fault.

Here are 6 common 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. Allergies
  6. They are released from a breeder
6 Best Goldendoodle Rescue in Pennsylvania (PA)

6 Best Places to Find a Goldendoodle Rescue in Pennsylvania (PA)

1. Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue (DVGRR)

Located in the Pennsylvania, the Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue is a regional non-profit organization that rescues and re-homes displaced Golden Retrievers, Goldendoodles, and other dogs in need.

As you can tell by their name they started out as a Golden Retriever Rescue that then added Goldendoodles to the mix

Like the other Goldendoodle rescues on this list, DVGRR obtains their rescues through local shelters and re-homing services for doodle owners that need to give up their doodle. But they also have puppy mill surrenders due to their location in Pennsylvania.

DVGRR evaluates all their dogs for general health and temperament. In addition, incoming dogs receive complete veterinary care at their on-site veterinarian clinic.

Out-of-state adoptions are allowed at DVGRR, but you must be willing to visit their kennel that is located in Reading, PA before the adoption is finalized.

DVGRR maintains accounts at Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you are looking for a Goldendoodle you should follow at least one of their social media accounts or frequently check their website for available dogs.

2. GRIN Rescue

GRIN Rescue (short for Golden Retrievers In Need) is located in Cleveland, OH but their service area includes western Pennsylvania. They specialize in Golden Retrievers (of course) and also Golden Retriever Mixes, like the Goldendoodle.

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

Instead, 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 them. They recommend that if you are interested in adopting a young dog that you apply in advance of seeing a younger dog on their website.

Their approval process takes about 2-4 weeks.

Goldendoodle

3. Doodle Rescue Collective

While the Doodle Rescue Collective’s headquarter is in Warwick, RI, they offer re-homing services for Goldendoodles, and every other kind of Doodle throughout the US.

The collective consists of over 800 registered volunteers throughout 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.

They also run a re-homing program for doodle owners that need to find a new home for their dog. They accept doodles into this program in most states meaning you may be able to find a doodle in need near you through their website and Facebook page.

4. IDOG Rescue

IDOG Rescue is another national rescue organization that has a network of volunteers that rescue and foster Goldendoodles, Labradoodles and other doodle types throughout the USA.

Their 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 re-home their Goldendoodle.

To find a Goldendoodle Rescue in Pennsylvania follow their Facebook page. They will list dogs coming into the program or that are available for adoption on their Facebook page.

You can find dogs in Pennsylvania by looking for the PA after the dog’s name in the post.

As an example, the Facebook post will start with; “Click here to learn more about Levi- PA:” indicating that Levi is in a foster home in Pennsylvania.

5. Somerset Cottage Poodle Rescue

The Somerset Cottage Poodle Rescue started off specializing in Poodles, but with the increase of doodles in need they began to accept Goldendoodles, other poodle mix-breeds and hypoallergenic companion dogs into their program.

While they are located near Fairfax, Virginia they do allow out-of-state adoptions with an approved application. You must be willing to go to Leesburg, VA to meet the dog before the adoption is finalized.

Dogs that come into this rescue are housed in private foster homes and evaluated before becoming available for adoption. Care while at Somerset Cottage Poodle Rescue may include: A Physical exam, Spay/neuter if necessary, brought up to date on vaccinations, Tests for Heartworm, Lyme, and anaplasmosis.  

6. Petfinder.com

You may be able to find a Goldendoodle Rescue at a shelter or general rescue in Pennsylvania, but there are over fifty general rescue groups in Pennsylvania and most will not have a Goldendoodle available for adoption. Rather than spend hours sifting through these websites, I suggest you use Petfinder.com.

Petfinder.com allows you to sort by breed, including the Goldendoodle and Mini Goldendoodle. You can even set up an alert to let you know when a new Goldendoodle is listed.

The National Goldendoodle Rescue organizations listed above do not use Petfinder.com so you will need to check those sites individually.

Goldendoodle with red ball

Tips on to be 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 references and also a reference 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 $800 to adopt a Goldendoodle in Pennsylvania.

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.

We wish you the best of luck in finding your Goldendoodle Rescue