Getting a dog is probably one of the best decisions anyone can ever make. And if that decision includes adopting from a shelter, it makes the whole thing so much better. So, if you were thinking about getting yourself a new furry friend, a Goldendoodle rescue might be the best place to start looking.
Why Goldendoodles? Goldendoodles have all the positivity and good nature of golden retrievers and all the cuteness of poodles. What’s not to like? Therefore, check out this list of the best places you can go and find your new dog.
What Is a Goldendoodle Rescue and How to Find It?
Goldendoodles are a good example of a mixed breed that people just adore as pets. In recent years, this dog breed has become so popular that the huge demand for them led to unscrupulous overbreeding.
Sadly, many of those dogs end up in the street and in need of rescue. Moreover, a number of pet owners put their puppies, adults, and retired dogs for adoption when they can no longer take care of them properly.
In the USA, numerous places are devoted to rescuing and rehabilitating abandoned Goldendoodles. Such rescues usually have an agreement with local shelters to take on every Goldendoodle that ends up in a shelter before they become available for adoption.
So, to find one cutie for yourself, look for a Goldendoodle rescue near you. Furthermore, you can check the rescues specializing in Poodles and Golden retrievers since those often help mixed breeds as well.
However, after you start searching, you’ll quickly realize that many options on your search list actually advertise breeders and not shelters or rescues. A true Goldendoodle rescue is a non-profit organization that focuses on taking care of abandoned doodles and finding them a new home.
So, check out our list if you don’t want to waste hours searching for a trusted shelter online and offline. We can help you find a Goldendoodle rescue that suits you best.
List of Goldendoodle Rescues
Following is the list of places you can potentially find any kind of Goldendoodle you want. From Mini Goldendoodles, Doodle puppies, retired Goldendoodles, as well as teddy bear Goldendoodles — you only have to pick one and welcome it into your home.
Disclosure: This article does not represent any of these places, so make sure you do additional research before deciding on one Goldendoodle rescue.
1. Doodle Rock Rescue
Image source: Doodlerockrescue.org
Doodle Rock Rescue (DRR) is a foster-based organization founded in 2017 in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. It specializes in rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming all kinds of poodle mixes (doodles).
Although this amazing Goldendoodle rescue accepts abandoned dogs from all over the country, they also have one special mission. DRR does its best to help the dogs that end up in South Texas shelters because they have extremely high euthanasia rates — maybe even the highest in the US.
Once Doodle Rock Rescue takes in a doodle, it provides medical care and monitors its behavior and temperament. This way, DRR experts can decide when a dog is ready for adoption. So far, this organization has successfully rescued and rehomed more than a thousand doodles.
However, DRR likes to monitor every dog it rehomes, and it has a mandatory home visit before it lets you adopt. For this reason, the organization allows only those who live within 350 miles from Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, to adopt.
The basic requirements you need to meet if you want to adopt from DRR:
• You need to be 21 or older
• You must live within 350 miles from Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
• Your other pets must be spayed/neutered
• You must pick the dog up within three days after the adoption gets approved
• If you adopt, you have to treat the dog as a part of your family, and it must live inside your home
• You must install a security fence
Doodle Rock Rescue Information:
• Web page: Doodle Rock Rescue
• Email address: information@doodlerockrescue.org
• Facebook and Instagram pages
2. International Doodle Owners Group Rescue (IDOG)
Image source: Idogrescue.com
Another great Goldendoodle rescue to visit is the IDOG group, located in Houston, Texas. Just like DRR, this non-profit organization rescues all kinds of poodle mixes, including Labradoodles, Goldendoodles, and poodles.
IDOG is able to do this thanks to a large network of volunteers that regularly keep in touch with local animal shelters. Once a shelter takes in a doodle, they notify the volunteers who begin the process of transporting the doodle to the IDOG facility.
This awe-inspiring organization is one of the biggest doodle rescue and adoption centers in the US and the world. Currently, it covers North America and some parts of Canada. Up until this point, IDOG’s crew has successfully saved and placed over 2600 dogs into new homes.
According to IDOG’s reports, the majority of Goldendoodles it takes in are retired adults. They get an occasional puppy or a Mini Goldendoodle, but it’s pretty rare.
If you want to adopt through this organization, you need to be open to any dog within the chosen breed. IDOG doesn’t support selecting the age, fur color, or gender when adopting a dog.
But the adoption process itself is generally smooth and straightforward. You file an application where you fill out some details regarding your lifestyle and living conditions. Next, an evaluator will talk to your veterinarian and landlord and pay you a visit to make sure your home is safe enough for a Goldendoodle. In the end, if the evaluator deems everything to be in order, the adoption process will move on.
The whole adoption process can cost you between $100 and $750. However, bear in mind that IDOG doesn’t transport the dogs. Therefore, you’ll need to pick up your new friend personally.
IDOG Information:
• Web page: International Doodle Owners Group (IDOG) Rescue
• Address: 6711 Stella Link Road, Suite 344, Houston, TX 77005
• Email address: rescue@idogrescue.com
• Facebook and Instagram pages
• Find IDOG on Petfinder.com
3. Doodle Dandy Rescue
Image source: Doodledandyrescue.org
Doodle Dandy Rescue (DDR) is a 100% volunteer Goldendoodle rescue that operates in Texas, including Austin, San Antonio, and Houston. Currently, they have about 500 active volunteers.
Usually, DDR has many Goldendoodles you can foster or adopt. But, as you probably already assumed, most of them are retired adults. All the doodles they take in get a medical examination and go through spaying, neutering, and deworming procedures. Aside from medications, dogs also get behavior training.
As we previously mentioned, this rescue will allow you to foster a pooch, which can increase your chances to adopt one day. Still, try to be patient. DDR has a strict application process, and it usually takes a long time to get approval. Some parts of the process include filling out an application, home checks, reference calls, etc.
Furthermore, the adoption fee is around $600 but can vary depending on the expenses and how much time a dog has spent at DDR.
Another thing to keep in mind, you need to live within a 5-hour drive from the DDR’s center, outside of Dallas, to be allowed to adopt.
The basic requirements you need to meet if you want to adopt from DDR:
• You need to be 21 or older
• Sometimes you must participate in socialization and obedience training
• You must have a reputation for being a good pet owner
• Your other pets need to be neutered/spayed
• You need to go and pick up your new Goldendoodle yourself
• You need to provide proof that your landlord allows you to adopt
DDR Information:
• Web page: Doodle Dandy Rescue
• Email address: doodledandyrescue@gmail.com
• Facebook and Instagram pages
4. Somerset Cottage Poodle Rescue (SCPR)
Image source: Somersetcottagepoodlerescue.org
SCPR specializes in all things poodle, including mixed breeds, Bichons, Maltese, Shih Tzu, and other toy breeds. This non-profit organization is based in Fairfax, Virginia, and it mostly operates in Northern Virginia.
All the dogs they take in are placed in foster homes for an evaluation before being put up for adoption. Moreover, they get all the vaccines and have to undergo deworming, spaying/neutering procedures, take flea and tick medications, as well as heartworm prevention.
After more than eight years of work, SCRP has rescued and found welcoming families for more than 800 dogs. Most of the dogs they helped came from shelters and were lined up to be killed.
You can adopt from SCPR even if you do not live in the state. However, the volunteers will not deliver the dog, so you’ll need to go to greet and meet. Another important note is that SCPR won’t allow you to adopt if you have a child under the age of 10 at home.
The adoption fee will depend on many factors such as breed, age, and the dog’s condition. Medical expenses also influence the fee. But you can expect it to be within the $300 to $1000 range.
SCPR Information:
• Web page: Somerset Cottage Poodle Rescue
• Email address: scpoodlerescue@gmail.com
• Facebook page
• Find SCPR on Petfinder.com
5. NorCal Poodle Rescue
Image source: Norcalpoodlerescueadoption.com
NorCal Poodle Rescue (NCPR) is a group of volunteers who salvage and rehabilitate poodle mixes such as Goldendoodles. NCPR is located in Northern California and works with shelters, humane societies, and individuals who want to give up on their pets.
This certified non-profit organization uses 97% of donations for rescued dogs. The rest goes for administration purposes. This Goldendoodle rescue was established in 1985 and has already made life better for more than 2000 dogs.
All doodles they save receive medical examination and treatments, like microchipping, neutering, and spaying. Furthermore, they watch the dogs’ behaviors and temperaments closely before rendering them safe for adoption.
NPRS allows you to volunteer, foster, and adopt pooches. The application process is pretty much the same as with other rescues. First, you need to fill out an application form that includes questions about your lifestyle and preferences. Next, someone will revise it and pay you a visit to ensure your home is safe enough for a furry friend.
Once your application gets approved, you can go for a meet and greet. The adaptation fee generally ranges between $250 and $700. But be prepared for the fact that the sum can vary depending on your Goldendoodle’s age and health.
NCPR Information:
• Web page: NorCal Poodle Rescue
• Address: 10126 Alta Sierra Dr # 282 Grass Valley, CA 95949
• Phone number: 925-322-0223
• Email address: norcalpoodlerescueinc@gmail.com
• Facebook page
6. Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue
Image source: Dvgrr.org
Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue (DVGRR) is one of the rare rescues that have a facility. What started out as a Golden Retriever rescue soon opened its doors to all Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, and Labrador Retrievers as well. Since 1993, this organization has rescued and rehomed more than 5500 dogs.
With an in-house veterinary clinic and activity center, you know that the pooches that end up here receive proper care and training. But quality comes with a price. So, this Goldendoodle rescue has stringent adoption guidelines. If you want to adopt, you need a fenced yard, you cannot leave the dog outside unattended, and having young children is not advisable.
So, if you meet these requirements, you can fill out a form and be sure you mention you are interested in Goldendoodles. However, bear in mind that you will have to pay a $35 processing fee that is not refundable. Of course, the adoption fee will depend on your new pet’s age and health condition. All in all, the prices range from $300 to $1000.
DVGRR Information:
• Web page: Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue
• Address: 60 Vera Cruz Road, Reinholds, PA 17569
• Phone number: 717-484-4799
• Email address: info@dvgrr.org
• Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages
7. Doodle Rescue Collective Inc.
Image source: Doodlerescueinc.ning.com
Doodle Rescue Collective Inc. (DRC) is another great organization that focuses on saving and rehoming Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, and every other type of doodle. DRC is located in Warwick, RI, and consists of more than 800 volunteers all over the US and some parts of Canada.
These volunteers work with local shelters to find foster and permanent homes for every doodle in need. So far, this Goldendoodle rescue has successfully rehomed more than 4000 dogs.
Of course, dogs that are lucky enough to end up at DRC get medical attention, shelter, care, food, and love they deserve. Furthermore, volunteers monitor each dog’s behavior and temperament to help it find its perfect owner.
If you are looking for a Goldendoodle puppy to adopt, try your luck at DRC. Also, don’t worry if you live across the state. These amazing people will help you with transportation. But before you get your hopes up, check to see if you meet some of DRC’s adoption requirements.
The basic requirements you need to meet if you want to adopt from DRC:
• You must be 21 or older
• Families with children under the age of 10 are not allowed to adopt
• Pet shipping is forbidden
• You must have a physical fence
• You should not live in urban areas
So, if you meet these criteria, you can expect the adoption fee to be between $300 and $1000, depending on the dog’s age, health, and temperament. DRC will also count in medical and life expenses.
DRC Information:
• Web page: Doodle Rescue Collective Inc.
• Address: 77 Buttonwoods Avenue, Warwick, RI, 02886
• Email address: info@doodlerescuecollectiveinc.org
• Facebook page
• Find DRC on Petfinder.com