Good place to adopt a Doodle for low cost in Northern California?

[Mikol & Omni]

Hi there,

A good friend of mine after meeting Omni really wants to get a Doodle too.  But he's on Social Security and so can't afford to pay breeder prices.  Is there a Doodle Rescue program that has puppies or young dogs?  He's been looking in area animal shelters for a while now with not much luck.

If you can point me to another discussion if one already exists that would be great!

Thanks,
Mikol

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I adopted my doodle from a shelter for a $300 adoption fee. He is the best dog in the entire world, and I love him dearly. But he has a genetic disease that costs me a couple of thousand dollars a year in vet bills.
Other people have healthy dogs who have needed surgery for various things...swallowing something they shouldn't have, knee or hip surgery as they get older...these surgeries cost thousands of dollars.
Even ordinary care of a healthy dog is not cheap. The purchase price is just the tip of the iceberg. Most rescues and shelters want to know that a person can afford to care for a dog throughout its entire life, not just pay the adoption fee. How will your friend pay a $4000 vet bill if necessary? Many people rehome their doodles because they can't afford to care for them. Grooming alone can cost $100 per month for a standard with a non-shedding coat.
The other issue is this: Imagine that the bottom fell out of the world and you had to rehome your beloved doodle. Someone fills out an adoption application for him, and in answer to the question "Why do you want to adopt Omni?" the answer is "Because I'm on Social Security and I can't afford to pay for a dog from a breeder." Is this the home you would choose for your dog?
Adopting a dog because you can't afford to buy one is not a good reason to adopt, and it really isn't fair to the dog. They are not clearance merchandise or "irregulars". The only valid reason to adopt a homeless dog is because you want to give care, love, and a home to a dog who needs one, regardless of the cost. Every rescue dog deserves to be chosen for who he is and not because he is cheaper than a dog from a breeder.

[Joyce & Wilson]

I do have to say on the behalf the person who wants a dog for a companion...this person is probably home all day and can be there for the dog all day and not stick them in a crate while at work..this also needs to be weighed in on a decision...there are great vets that are willing to do give their services for a very reduced rate..I personally know one. Maybe some low maintance dog would also work...although my doodle is pretty low to maintain as I brush him at least every other day if not daily..he is the best companion as I live alone and on a budget. Its cheaper than paying a therapist!! And I have lots of quality time to spend with him..LOL just sayin.....

[Mikol & Omni]

Agreed, Joyce!! Thanks for chiming in!!

[Joyce & Wilson]

I guess I'm also saying is you dont have to have a $7,000 dollar nest egg before you adopt a puppy or dog...it can be done on less..you can give your own baths and learn to groom your own dog..give lots of love and spending quality time. I cant imagine how many homeless dogs there would be if everyone thought it cost that much!!! I hope we're not discourageing anyone from adopting a homeless animal. That is all. I'm done...smile...dont mean to step on anyones toes. What we all have in common is our great love for our animals!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Joyce, I'm a director with the DRC...the last thing I do is discourage people from adopting, lol.
I just discourage people from adopting for the wrong reasons.

[Adina P]

Karen I agree with you in general. But I don't think that a person who can't/won't spend $$$$$ to pay a breeder and wants something less costly is thinking they are 'settling'. All dogs have equal value (except for one's own dog that is worth gold). A breeder dog is not 'worth' more inherently than a shelter dog. But if someone has a limited budget to pay 'up front costs' then it makes sense to look where the cost of buying a dog is less. I don't think it has to do with the wrong attitude toward adoption. The reason I value a dog that costs $$$$$$ is because of respect for good breeding practices (which often, but not always comes with a higher price). Spending more won't guarantee 15 yrs of perfect health...it is merely paying the going rate instead of $400 for a BYB dog. The DOG itself is not of greater worth...but the program I'm supporting is (to me).

If there are indeed GREAT doods in rescue, there through no fault of their own...why shouldnt someone save initial costs for such a fabulous dog?

[Adina P]

In other words .. if the only diff is $$$$ why not adopt?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I guess I am just frustrated by the inevitable suggestion to "adopt" every time someone starts a discussion about the high cost of doodles, and how they really want one but can't afford one from a breeder.
Nobody has to have a doodle. There are lots of great breeds of dogs, and lots of great dogs who need homes. There is no such thing as a "perfect" dog, all dogs have their positive and negative qualities. There are lots and lots of poodle mixes in shelters that would make an adoptive owner just as happy as a doodle would.
It goes back to my "Certified Pre-owned" discussion. If you want a luxury car that you can't afford, you have to make a compromise. You either choose a less expensive make or you get one used. But dogs aren't cars, and adopting a dog must never be a compromise.

[Adina P]

IF compromise means the owner will be less than happy or treat the dog less well...then YES. But I don't think it has to mean that. Some may truly be surprised that there are lots of rescue doodles and find the info to "adopt one instead" useful. Some may really like the look of the doodle but not care too much about details and be thrilled if they find a 'doodley' dog in a shelter or via rescue if they think the prices are ridiculous for them. Some might be able to afford the cost but have an aversion toward paying that much for a pet dog when other pets are cheaper. Whatever the reason...merely wanting to pay less does not necessarily mean a person is gonna feel they compromised.

I DO agree that nobody HAS to have a doodle (sorry Mikol, we're off on a tangent). If a doodle cost $7,000 up front and there were enough people to support that cost...well who am I to complain I couldn't afford one??? I can't afford a lot of things. So I don't buy them. I can't afford a 3,000 sq foot house with a maid, chef, and a golf course looking lawn on acreage for 4 doodles. Too bad for me.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Agreed.

[Mikol & Omni]

No worries about the tangent! I had no idea I was starting such a lively discussion, but I do love a spirited discussion, so thanks to all who participated (even if I didn't get many recommendations on doodle rescues)! =)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There are no local doodle rescues; there is the DRC and IDOG...both are nationwide. On the main page of Doodle Kisses, near the bottom, you can see all the doodles currently listed with both groups.
Local rescues also have doodles quite often, but you need to apply before you see a dog, not after. Most legitimate rescues have preapproved applications on file, and many doodles are adopted from these without ever being listed on Petfinder. (That's how I got Jack) Your friend should use Petfinder.com as a starting point; they have listings of all the dogs available in your area by breed, as well as lists of local shelters and resources.