How to Adopt & Rescue Goldendoodles

Goldendoodle adoption

If you’re thinking about adding a Goldendoodle to your family, adoption is a great—and socially conscious—option. According to the ASPCA, approximately 3.9 million dogs enter animal shelters nationwide every year, with the majority eventually being euthanized due to overpopulation and lack of resources to care for these unwanted pets. While Goldendoodles are indeed a specialized breed, there are still thousands of adult Goldendoodles in animal shelters across the country. Who knows, your next pet could just be in a rescue shelter, waiting for you to adopt them now.

Rescuing Goldenddoodle puppiesIt is great to know that there are a lot of goldendoodle rescue shelters out there that house and care for these animals from their infancy until they reach adulthood. It is quite common for individuals and families to adopt goldendoodles from a young age. For instance, they may prefer their puppies to grow under their supervision. You may like to be the ones to look after them during their initial training. And there just so darn cute when their puppies.

Despite these notions, adopting adult goldendoodles can also be a good idea. How, you might ask? Well, there are a number of reasons why you should consider this. For example, if you are a person with a busy schedule, chances are you wouldn’t really have enough time to care for your pups. Another scenario would be dealing with puppy behavior which isn’t always all cutesy. They can cause unexpected petty turmoil around your house which can give you a lot of minor headaches. Your clothing, shoes, furniture, among others, can end up being damaged by these little creatures. Thus, if you own a puppy, you should be certain that the lifestyle you have would allow you to constantly pay attention to their needs. If you fail at such responsibilities, then your pet might possibly not turn out to be the great companion that you’ve wanted them to be.

Once you have weighed down points to consider and come to the conclusion that you intend to acquire a goldendoodle pet through rescuing them, be proud and happy about your decision. While having a goldendoodle pup directly from a breeder isn’t at all a bad idea, rescuing one is something even more heroic. You’ve finally made one more dog happier by giving them a new place that they can call home.

What to Consider Before You Adopt a Goldendoodle

1. The lifespan of a Goldendoodle is approximately 10 – 15 years, so you must be prepared to commit to a lifetime with your pet.

2. If you are renting or living in an apartment, check with your landlord to find out whether pets are allowed in your residence.

3. Make sure that your living situation is suitable for a Goldendoodle by evaluating the safety of your home, backyard, and street, and determine whether there is enough space for him or her to live comfortably in your home.

4. Consider your lifestyle. If you are not home very often and live alone, then you will need to find a dog walker to care for your pet while you’re at work or out of town. If this is your current situation, it might not be the right time to adopt a dog.

5.  Do your research on Goldendoodles, and familiarize yourself with their needs, lifestyle, and behavioral habits.

6. If you have children, speak to them about the rules and responsibilities of owning a pet.

7. There will be an adjustment period when you bring your new pet home. Be patient, and give yourself—and your new family member—time to adjust.

To help you determine the right decision for you, we’ve outlined the pros and cons of dog adoption.

Pros of Adoption

1.  You will save a life. Approximately 1.2 million dogs are euthanized every year due to overpopulation and limited resources to care for them. Your adoption not only saves a life, but it opens up space in a shelter for another dog in need, who could then be adopted and given a home.

2. You will save money. Adopting a dog from an animal shelter costs much less than buying a dog from a pet store or breeder. Also, many shelter dogs have already been spayed or neutered, so you will avoid this cost as well.

3.You will support a nationwide cause. Becoming part of the pet adoption process will open your eyes to the suffering of animals worldwide, and make you a more aware and socially conscious individual.

Cons of Adoption

1. You might not find the exact age you want at an animal shelter. The majority of Goldendoodles at shelters are adults, so finding a puppy will be more difficult.

2 You need to file paperwork for adoption. The amount of paperwork will vary depending on the shelter.

3. You may not be able to take your dog home right away. Shelter staff must first determine that you are a suitable owner before the process can be finalized, and there is also a grace period so that owners can reclaim lost dogs who have been picked up by the shelter.

Brief Overview of the Adoption Process

1. Research and visit the animal shelters in your community.

2. Once you find the dog you want to take home, ask about the requirements needed to adopt.

3. When you visit the shelter, rescue staff will help you select the Goldendoodle that will suit you and your kid’s needs.

4. Don’t be too specific with the type of dog you want. If you are looking for a F2 Goldendoodle with hazel eyes and a caramel coat, then adoption is not for you.

5.  Once you find the Goldendoodle you want to adopt, the shelter staff will ask that you spend time together and develop a relationship before you can take him or her home.

6. Shelter staff may request to inspect your home to determine whether it is suitable for a dog.

  • Labradoodle Rescue & Goldendoodle Rescue

    Founded in 2008, Doodle Rescue Collective, Inc. (DRC) is a volunteer foster based rescue comprised of a “collective” of over 800 registered volunteers nationwide. DRC is dedicated to the protection and rescue of Labradoodle & Goldendoodle (doodle) dogs and to providing educational resources and support services to doodle owners, aspiring owners and enthusiasts.

  • International Doodle Owners Group

    The International Doodle Owners Group, Inc. (IDOG) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) group of volunteers, dedicated to the protection of Labradoodles and Goldendoodles.

  • Adopt a pet

    North America’s largest non-profit pet adoption website

  • Poo-Mix Rescue

    We are a virtual rescue operation so we do not have a physical shelter nor rescue facility. All of the dogs listed here were found on websites throughout the USA and Canada and re-posted here for convenience in locating Poo-Mix dogs.