Can you find an Aussiedoodle in rescue or in your local shelter? You have a good chance! As Aussiedoodles increase in popularity, their numbers rise in shelters and rescues, too. In fact, our own Aussiepoo came from our local shelter!
Adopting an Aussiedoodle from a rescue or shelter is not only a heartwarming decision but also a responsible step towards giving a deserving dog a forever home. Let’s look at the most likely places you can find an Aussiedoodle for adoption and what to expect from each–and some doodle rescues that just might have the dog of your dreams.
What’s the Difference in a Shelter and a Rescue?
Your two top options for adoption are shelters and rescues–but what’s the difference?
In general, a shelter is either a municipal shelter or a privately-operated shelter where most of the animals are housed on site. In the case of a municipal shelter, dogs may have arrived from owner surrenders or from animal control. Some municipal shelters only house animals for a fixed time after which unadopted animals may be euthanized or, as was the case with our puppy, transferred to another shelter that has a no-kill policy. Many privately-operated shelters are smaller but are able to keep animals through a no-kill policy at the shelter and in their foster home network.
A rescue is usually a privately-run operation that relies on a network of foster homes to house the dogs. Typically operated as non-profit 501(c)3 organizations in the United States, most rescues do not have a shelter. Some rescues are breed-specific (you’ll find doodle and poodle rescues below) while others might specialize in small dogs, large dogs, deaf dogs or other groups. Rescues get their dogs both from owner surrenders and by rescuing dogs from shelters.
Typically it is less expensive to adopt from a shelter than a rescue but both are less costly than a breeder.
Adopting from a Shelter
Typically you can expect to pay between $80 and about $180 for a dog from a shelter, with municipal shelters being on the lower end of the price range. Puppies under six months old will be more expensive than older dogs. These fees typically come with veterinary care and age-appropriate vaccinations as well as, in many cases, spay/neuter surgery.
To find an Aussiedoodle in a shelter, search adoption website such as Petfinder, AdoptaPet, 24Petconnect and others. Petfinder even has an option to sort and just see Aussiedoodles in your area (and you can extend your area).
You can also call your local shelter and ask if they have an dogs that appear to be an Aussiedoodle or a poodle mix. (And there’s always a chance that an owner may have surrendered an Aussiedoodle so they know more about the lineage of the dog. Dogs are also born in shelters so the shelter may have the mother on site.)
Some shelters do not label dogs by breed–and while they make their best guess often those that do mislabel breeds. Be sure to learn the appearance of an Aussiedoodle at different ages and use your best judgement when searching adoptable dog listings.
Adopting from a Rescue
Typically an Aussiedoodle in rescue may cost between $200 and $600, depending on the rescue and the age of the dog. Dogs will have received veterinary care, immunizations and spay/neuter surgery.
Rescues are operated by dedicated dog lovers who often are devoted to a particular breed. They tirelessly search shelter websites and more to look for adoptable dogs that would be a good fit for their program and also take in owner surrenders. Because of their expertise with the breed mix, rescues are often able to identify Aussiedoodles at shelters–and owner surrenders may come with information on the dog’s lineage.
Rescues may or may not adopt outside their area. Many require home visits to ensure that the dog will be a good fit for your home.
Doodle Rescues
This Southern California-based rescue adopts doodles throughout California.
This Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas-based rescue has a foster network housing adoptable doodles. They adopt within a 500 mile radius of DFW.
This rescue is also based in the DFW area; they screen potential adoptors who live within a five-hour drive of Dallas-Fort Worth.
This Houston-based group that specializes in doodles has foster homes across the United States. Check the listings for the location of each fostered dog. The group does not ship or transport dogs so you will need to meet the dog and foster family in person.
Michigan Doodle Rescue Connect
Primarily adopting out owner surrendered doodles from across the country, this rescue lists its adoptable dogs on Facebook.
Poodle Rescues
Poodle mixes are often available through poodle rescues so Aussiedoodles are definitely a possibility at these rescues. (In general, we’ve found more Aussiedoodles at poodle rescues than Australian Shepherd rescues, but that is another potential search!)
Many dogs listed as Poodles on Petfinder may be a Poodle mix; this can also be a good starting point to find Poodle rescues in your area.
Breeder Rescues
Aussiedoodle breeders themselves can be sources of rescue. Good breeders will always take back a dog that, for whatever reason, doesn’t work out. The breeder will then work to rehome the dog either through their own website or through rescues.
Also, breeders occasionally retire their dogs from their breeding program–and sometimes have puppies that were not sold and are now quickly aging beyond their puppy period. Rather than sending these to rescues, some breeders will sell these older puppies and dogs at rescue prices.
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