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Poodle Rescue in Florida: 7 Best Places to Look

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Looking for a poodle rescue in Florida? You may not be alone in your search.

Because poodles are such great dogs, they are in high demand making it hard to find one in need of a home. The good news is that Florida has a few dedicated poodle rescue organizations to help you with your search.

We also found a few more rescues that may have a poodle or two, although they do not specialize in the breed.

Keep reading to find the best places to look for a poodle to adopt in Florida. But first make sure you are ready to bring home a poodle. In our section on rescue poodle pros and cons, you will find some of things you need to think about before getting a poodle.

In this post you will find:

  • The pros and cons of adopting a rescue poodle
  • Best Places to Look for a Poodle Rescue in Florida
  • Tips on how to increase your chance of being selected by a rescue
Poodle Rescue in Florida- 7 Best Places to Look

Why adopt a Poodle rescue? The Pro and Cons

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 that can adapt to many situations. But like all dogs, they do have their downside. Keep reading to learn about the pros and cons of getting a rescue poodle.

Poodle rescue pros

  • First, they come in four sizes; Standard, Miniature, Toy and Moyen (medium) which makes it easy to find one that fits your lifestyle.
  • Next, they are bred to be water retrievers, meaning they love to be around people on land and in the water. The perfect combination for people living in Florida.
  • They are also very smart, only second to the Border Collie. Thanks to their intelligence, they are easy to train.
  • Plus, they are naturally low shedding which means they are hypoallergenic. Even if you are not allergic to dogs, not having dog hair on your clothes can be a huge plus for many people.
Poodle Rescue in Florida - Trio of Poodle puppies in basket

Poodle rescue cons

But before you go ahead and start looking you also need to know some of the downside of owning a rescue poodle.

  • First, they need to be groomed every 6 to 8 weeks. Professional grooming can be expensive and adds up over time. While you may be able to groom them yourself, it is time consuming
  • As I mentioned above poodles are very intelligent and require a fair amount of mental stimulation
  • Poodles are also natural athletes that require regular exercise
  • Rescue poodles may come from abusive backgrounds, like puppy mills. Or they may have been abandoned by their family. Some may be mourning the loss of someone. All of these issues will take time and sometimes training for them to overcome.
  • If you are looking for a puppy, it is rare to find one at a rescue
Poodle Rescue in Florida - Pinterest pin - picture of poodle at beach with post title
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Best Places to Look for a Poodle Rescue in Florida

If you are still convinced that you want a rescue poodle, here are the best places we found to find one. Information listed here is provided as a convenience to you. Please make sure to visit their website for up-to-date and complete details on the adoption process. We are not responsible for incorrect information.

1. Florida Poodle Rescue, Inc.

Florida Poodle Rescue, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the rescue and placement of Poodles. The organization was started by two women who cared deeply about the plight of unwanted poodles and wanted to do something about it.

Their primary activity is rescuing abused, abandoned and unwanted Poodles and poodle mix breeds. Prior to adoption, they provide professional veterinary care, including spay/neuter, as well as behavioral care and rehabilitation as needed.

Rescue dogs are cared for in volunteer foster homes. This allows the dogs to decompress and prepare for life in their forever home. The process of getting unwanted poodles ready for a new home can take several days to several months, depending on their condition when they arrive.

Adoption Process Highlights

Start the adoption process by completing the online application. Volunteers will then review the application. If you pass the initial review they will reach out to your references. Vet and groomer references are checked first, then personal references. Next a placement team volunteer will review your application information with you by phone. If all checks out and they have a possible match, a home visit is conducted. If you pass all the requirements, a meet and greet will be scheduled. Please visit their website for up-to-date and complete details on the adoption process.

Please note this is a volunteer organization so the process is highly dependent on volunteer availability.

Finding a Poodle at Florida Poodle Rescue

You can find some of their available dogs on their website or Facebook page.

Poodle rescue in Florida - Two poodles leaning on each other

2. Poodle and Pooch Rescue of Florida

Poodle and Pooch Rescue is a 501(c)3, non-profit organization located in Central Florida. They do not have a set location. Instead, dogs are housed in foster homes while they wait for a new home. They have over 100 foster homes located throughout central Florida. Poodle and Pooches is a 100% volunteer run organization.

They specialize in the rescue, rehabilitation, socialization and re-homing of abandoned, neglected, and abused dogs in the state of Florida. While they help all dogs in need and as you can see by their name they help poodles too.

Dogs that are brought into their program are provided with necessary veterinary care which often includes much more than vaccinations, spay/neuter and dental.

Adoption Process Highlights

Poodles and Pooches does not allow out-of-state adoptions and you must be 21 years of age to adopt. To start the process, you must complete the on-line application. Volunteers check all the information on the application and reach out to references including one from your vet. If you pass the initial review the foster parent will reach out to you to discuss the dog and their needs. Next a meet and greet is scheduled. Please visit their website for up-to-date and complete details on the adoption process.

Finding a Poodle rescue at Poodle and Pooch Rescue

Poodle and Pooch showcases their available dogs on their website.

Poodle after bath with towel on head

3. Coastal Poodle Rescue

Coastal Poodle Rescue (CPR) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. They are an all-volunteer-run establishment that helps poodles in-need. Their service area is in the eastern, coastal corridor of Florida from Duval to Dade County.

All dogs in their care are spayed/neutered, are up-to-date on vaccinations, micro-chipped, tested for heartworms and other parasites, have a thorough vet exam, and are treated, if possible, for any known conditions found before adoption. All known medical information is disclosed to new owners.

The dogs are placed in foster homes that provide love and patience to help the animals adjust before being adopted. This allows the foster home to evaluate each dog for behavior and temperament issues. A dog’s stay in foster care can vary from several days to several months, depending upon the dog’s condition and needs.

Adoption Process Highlights

To start the adoption process you must first read and agree to their terms of adoption. This must be done before you can move onto the adoption application. To apply to CPR, you must supply;

  • Your current or previous vet name and phone number
  • Current or previous groomer name and phone number
  • Three references
  • If you rent, your landlord’s name and phone number.

Home visits and interviews are also required as part of the adoption process.

Finding a Poodle rescue at Coastal Poodle Rescue

You can find some available poodles on their website and also on Petfinder.com. They state that many of their poodles are adopted by families that have been approved and are waiting for a suitable poodle. These poodles may never be posted on their website

Small red poodle in grass

4. Standard Poodle Rescue

Founded in 1999, the Standard Poodle Rescue was started to provide a safe haven for standard poodles whose owners, for a variety of reasons, must give up their dogs.  Their goal is to provide an alternative to dogs being dumped at the local animal shelter.  

Most of their potential adopters have a Standard Poodle, have always wanted one, or have had one in the past. They are very familiar with the expense and time necessary to care for a poodle.

The Standard Poodle Rescue works closely with shelters, other rescue organizations, veterinarians, individuals, and breeders to care for and place poodles in the appropriate home.  

They often match available poodles to the appropriate family on their waiting list.  The match is based on the dog’s needs. Most rescues are placed within a week to 10 days thanks to the waiting list of approved adopters.

Adoption Process Highlights

The adoption process starts by filling out an online application. This rescue requires that the new family has a fenced yard, financial resources to care for a poodle including the high grooming costs and the time to spend with the dog to properly care for these dogs. They require a home visit.

Finding a dog at Standard Poodle Rescue in Florida.

You can find some available dogs on their website and also on Petfinder.com

Two Black poodles sitting next to each other.

5. Florida Little Dog Rescue

Florida Little Dog Rescue is a 501(c)3 Charitable Organization that works to rehabilitate unwanted, abused and abandoned small dogs including mini and toy poodles.

They will rescue dogs all over the state of Florida, but their main focus is in the Central Florida area. They have volunteers from Tallahassee to Tampa, but dogs are fostered in the Orlando area.

While awaiting adoption, the dogs live in foster homes. A dog’s stay in foster care can vary from several days to several weeks, depending upon the dog’s conditions and needs. While in foster homes the dogs are evaluated for behavior and temperament issues.

Adoption Process Highlights

To start the adoption process you need to complete the entire online adoption application, which can be found on their website. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Florida Little Dog Rescue only accepts applications for current available dogs. They do not keep applications on file. Interviews and meet and greets are required.

Finding a dog at Florida Little Dog Rescue

You can find their available dogs on their website and Petfinder.com

Poodle rescue in Florida - Happy poodle smiling

6. Love4Paws, Inc.

Love4paws, Inc operates in the Sarasota area of Florida. Their mission is to rescue and re-home dogs in need. They are not breed specific and help all dogs, but had a few poodles available.

In addition to adoption services they also offer sponsored vet services and a doggy food bank for families that need a little extra help caring for their dog on occasion.

Adoption Process Highlights

The adoption process starts with a completed online adoption application. It will be reviewed and if approved you will be contacted to schedule a meet and greet. A home visit may be required. They do not adopt out of state.

Finding a dog at Love4Paws, Inc.

You can find their available dogs on their website and Petfinder.co

Cute mini poodle sitting

7. Petfinder.com

You may have noticed that many of the rescues listed above use Petfinder.com to spread the news about available dogs. This is also a great place to find a Poodle Rescue that might be located in a shelter or rescue that does not generally have poodles.

Petfinder.com allows you to sort by breed and size. You can even set up an alert to let you know when a new poodle in your area is listed. This is how we found our poodle-mix breed.

Cream colored poodle staring at camera

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

Having gone through this process ourselves we know the heartbreak involved with finding a rescue dog on-line only to be rejected or have someone else be selected.

We did eventually find our pup and so can you. Here are a few tips on how to be selected by a rescue.

  • Be open to the color, size, 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. We were often rejected due to the age of our kids.
  • 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. 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 approved adopters ahead of you.
  • Keep looking. Set-up a routine to check daily or set-up notifications.
  • Be open to other options. You may be able to find a poodle mix quicker than a purebred poodle.
  • Consider volunteering to be a foster home. This is a great way to get to know the dogs and rescue group. Not to mention you will be helping out dogs in-need.

We wish you the best of luck in finding a Poodle