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Goldendoodle Rescue: 8 Best Rescues in Michigan (MI)

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Goldendoodles are wonderful family dogs that are still in very high demand. This makes it difficult to find a puppy from a reputable breeder in Michigan, let alone a Goldendoodle rescue in need of a new home.

But, even with the high demand, there are still Goldendoodles that are available for adoption throughout the USA.

You just need to know where to look.

Join us as we take a look at the best places to look for a Goldendoodle rescue in Michigan.

Hint: You may need to look in nearby states.

Plus, as a bonus we will give you tips on how to be selected by a rescue organization.

In this post you will find:

  • Are you ready for share your life with a rescue?
  • How to find a rescue in Michigan
  • Best Places to look
  • The cost of a Goldendoodle rescue in Michigan
  • Tips on how to be selected for a Goldendoodle Rescue
8 Best Goldendoodle Rescue in Michigan (MI) - title pic with Goldendoodle running in yard

Are you ready to share your life with a Goldendoodle Rescue in Michigan (MI)?

Before you adopt a Goldendoodle make sure to do your research. Goldendoodles are wonderful dogs, but they are not for everyone.

If possible, ask other Goldendoodle owners what it’s like to care for one before you adopt. Also scope out the cost of grooming a doodle in your area. It can be very expensive.

8 Best Goldendoodle Rescue in Michigan (MI)

Here is a quick overview of life with a Goldendoodle.

  • When you cross these two breeds you end up with a high energy, fun loving dog that is a family favorite. It’s important that a Goldendoodle gets the exercise they need. This means supervised playtime in a fenced in yard and a couple of walks a day. Otherwise, they can become destructive.
  • If you adopt a Goldendoodle puppy you may not know how big they will get. A full-grown Goldendoodle can be larger than either of the parent breeds.
  • A Goldendoodle requires regular coat maintenance.  This includes having professional haircuts every four to six weeks and daily brushing at home. Professional grooming can easily cost over $100 for a large sized doodle.
  • While the Goldendoodle is billed as a non-shedding dog they still shed. Some more than others.
  • Goldendoodles can be hypoallergenic due to the fact that they will shed less, however a person with pet allergies can still be allergic to them.

How to find a Goldendoodle Rescue in Michigan (MI)?

The best place to find a Goldendoodle to adopt, is at a Goldendoodle rescue organization that specializes in re-homing Golden doodles.

Michigan only has one doodle specific local rescues, but there are a couple of national doodle rescues that operate in the state. These rescues use a network of volunteers to handle rescue, re-homing and adoption services in the state they live in.

You can also find Goldendoodles available for adoption at breed specific rescues. Many breed specific rescues will help dogs that are part of the breed they work with. When looking for a Goldendoodle you should look at Golden Retriever Rescues, and Poodle Rescues.

On occasion, you may be able to find a Golden doodle available for adoption through a local shelter or general rescue but it’s less common.

How to find a Goldendoodle Rescue in Michigan (MI)?

7 Best Places to Look for a Goldendoodle Rescue in Michigan (MI)

Here we provide you with basic information on each rescue on our list. Please contact the rescue directly for the most up-to-date information.

1. Michigan Doodle Rescue Connect

The Michigan Doodle Rescue Connect is the only doodle rescue in the state. They are a 501c3 Rescue that specializes in re-homing doodle dogs and poodle-mix breeds.

Most of Michigan Doodle Rescue Connect’s rescue dogs are owner surrenders. They can be individual families that need to re-home their dogs or breeders that choose to release their dogs to the rescue.

Dogs that come into this rescue are vetted by a licensed Veterinarian, and provided with any necessary care.

You can find their available dogs on their Facebook page. In order to be selected you must first fill out an application, which can be downloaded from their website. A separate application is required for each dog you are interested in. References are also required.

Their mission is to match people to their dogs. If you are considered a match, a phone interview will follow. Please visit their website for additional information.

Tip: Get to know Michigan Doodle Rescue Connect by reading their website and Facebook posts before you apply. They will ask you what you know about them in the interview.

2. IDOG Rescue

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

Their volunteers have working relationships with local shelters that inform them when a Goldendoodle is surrendered or becomes available for adoption at the shelter. This allows the group to get the dogs out of the shelter environment and into a foster home quickly.

IDOG also works directly with individuals that are unable to keep their dogs and need help with re-homing their Goldendoodle.

The best way to see available dogs at IDOG is to follow their Facebook page. They list available and upcoming dogs there, as well as updates on adopted dogs.

Since they are a national organization they list all of their available dogs on the same page. To find a dog in your area, look for “MI” after a dog’s name in the IDOG’s Facebook post.

Example: the Facebook post will state “Click here to learn more about Levi-MI:” indicating that Levi is in a foster home in Michigan.

3. Doodle Rescue Collective

While the Doodle Rescue Collective’s headquarter is in Warwick, RI, they offer rescue and 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. Just like with IDOG, the Doodle Rescue Collective’s 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 who 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. Michigan Standard Poodle Rescues and Re-homes

Michigan Standard Poodle Rescue is dedicated to the rescue and re-homing of Standard Poodles, thought they will also take in and help a large doodle. Their service area includes Michigan and neighboring states.

Because there are so many people looking to adopt a standard poodle or doodle, many of their dogs are placed without making it to their website or Facebook page.

Your best option for adopting from this rescue is to completely fill out the application before you see an available dog on their social media account. If you are approved and they have an available dog that fits your request, they will contact you with the information.

5. Golden Retriever Rescue of Michigan

The Golden Retriever Rescue of Michigan is a 501(c)3 rescue located near Detroit. This rescue organization specializes in Golden Retrievers but has been known to help a Goldendoodle out from time to time.

You can find available dogs on their website under the “adopt” tab. Their adoption process is fairly extensive.

To start the process, you need to complete the online application to receive an adoption packet. Once the packet is received and completed, you then send it to an assigned interviewer along with a non-refundable application fee. If your application is approved you will then move onto interviews and home visits. Applications who have passed all the required steps will get a chance to meet with available dogs.

For more details please visit their website.

6. Heavenly Paws of Michigan

Heavenly Paws of Michigan was founded in 2009. They are a 100% volunteer staffed, foster-based, canine and feline rescue and adoption organization. At the time of this writing, they had multiple poodle mix breeds looking for homes.

Heavenly Paws of Michigan offers rehoming services and works with animal shelters located throughout Michigan in order to rescue animals that are at risk of being euthanized.

You can see their available pets on Petfinder.com. To start the adoption process you first need to complete the application.

Looking for a Goldendoodle near Michigan

7. Golden Retriever Rescue Resource (GRRR)

The Golden Retriever Rescue Resource is an all-volunteer non-profit golden retriever rescue, they rescue and re-home Golden Retrievers and Golden mix breeds.

Although, Golden Retriever Rescue Resource, GRRR, Inc. is located in Waterville, Ohio, they do allow adoptions to lower South East Michigan residents, but you must be an in area where they can conduct a home visit.

Unlike many rescues, GRRR has a higher number of Golden puppies that come from various breeders in Ohio. They also offer re-homing services and work with shelters to help abandoned strays & unwanted Golden Retrievers and Golden Retriever mixed dogs find forever homes.

8. Petfinder.com

You may also be able to find a Goldendoodle Rescue at a shelter or general rescue in Michigan (MI), but there will be few to choose from. Rather than spend hours shifting through these websites, I suggest you use Petfinder.com.

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

How to find a Goldendoodle Rescue in Michigan (MI)?

Need a name for your Goldendoodle? Check out our post with 275 Goldendoodle Names.

How much does a Goldendoodle Rescue Cost in Michigan?

Because Goldendoodles are very popular it’s common to pay higher adoption fees for them. Adoption costs can range between $300 and $800 to adopt a Goldendoodle in Michigan.

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.

10 Ways to increase your chance of being selected for a rescue

  • Be open to the color, fur type, age and gender. Very specific preferences will limit your ability to be matched with a dog.
  • Get to know the rescue organization – the more familiar you are with the organization the better your chances are to be selected.
  • Review the rescue’s requirements. Make sure you meet the requirements before sending in an application.
  • Read the adoption policies, then follow them. Don’t give the organization a reason to move on to the next applicant.
  • Be prepared. If the rescue requires a personal reference or one from your veterinarian, let the person know that they may receive a call before you fill out the applicant.
  • Complete the application in its entirety. Don’t leave out information.
  • Be patient. Unlike breeders who breed on a schedule, rescue dogs can come in at any time. Sometimes there will be an influx of dogs but, most of the time you will need to wait for one. Also, there may be a line of potential adopters that have already been approved ahead of you.
  • Keep looking. When we found our doodle, I was checking the various websites and Facebook groups daily to see what new rescues were available.
  • Be open to other options. After waiting a long time to find a doodle, we decided on one that was neither a Labradoodle or Goldendoodle. She was a poodle mix and thankfully hypoallergenic, which was the most important requirement for us.
  • Consider volunteering to be a foster home. This is a great way to get to know the dogs and the rescue. Not to mention you will be helping out the rescue and dogs. But the rescue group may require that you foster a few dogs before you are able to adopt the one you are fostering.

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