Labradoodle puppies are undoubtedly cute, but they can be hard work and time-consuming! If the challenge of raising and training a puppy is not for you, you might want to consider giving a forever home to an unwanted adult Labradoodle.
Read this guide to discover five wonderful Labradoodle rescues in Minnesota.
5 Best Labradoodle Rescues in Minnesota
To save you time and shoe leather, we’ve tracked down five excellent Labradoodle rescue facilities in Minnesota.
All the facilities we’ve included in our list are highly reputable and are operated by teams of dedicated dog lovers whose goal is to find the perfect forever home for all the Doodles in their care.
Secondhand Hounds
Rescue Details:
Address: 5959 Baker Road Suite 390 Minnetonka, MN 55345
Telephone: 952-322-7643
Email: officemanager
Social Media: Facebook
Secondhand Hounds is an online, non-specific rescue portal that allows potential adopters to search their site for suitable dogs. Occasionally, you’ll find Labradoodles available for adoption on this site.
The dogs live with foster families while they await their forever homes. Before you can view any dogs, you’re required to complete an application form via the website. If approved, you’ll be put in touch with the foster home, and you can arrange to meet your potential furry friend.
The rescue also runs a Forever Loved Hospice Program. The program takes on elderly and terminally-ill dogs that will never be adopted. Foster families care for these dogs until it’s their time to go over the rainbow bridge, and you are invited to donate to the hospice scheme.
Underdog Rescue, MN
Underdog Rescue has been around for a few years and is a non-specific rescue, although it occasionally takes in Labradoodles.
Their owners often surrender the dogs the rescue has, and many come to Underdog from shelters or as strays.
The center works with potential adopters to make sure the dog you take is the right one for you. You can expect to be thoroughly vetted before you make the shortlist for a particular pup. Contact the center to enquire about adoption fees and to find out if you are a suitable candidate for one of their dogs.
The dogs are all vaccinated, microchipped, and in excellent health before they go to their new forever homes.
Wags & Whiskers Animal Rescue of M.N.
Rescue Details:
Address: 315 4th Street Farmington, MN. 55024
Wags & Whiskers Animal Rescue has both dogs and cats for adoption. There’s no actual shelter facility, and adoptions are all facilitated via the organization’s website. The animals up for adoption are fostered, and a strict vetting process is carried out before you are allowed to take one of their dogs.
Since this rescue takes on all kinds of dogs and cats, you’ll need to go on a waiting list until a suitable Labradoodle becomes available.
IDOG Rescue
Rescue Details:
Address: Address: IDOG Rescue Inc., 6711 Stella Link Road, Suite 344, Houston, TX 77005
Email: [email protected]
IDOG Rescue is a non-profit organization that works with shelters, rescues, and rehoming services throughout the U.S. and takes in owner-surrendered dogs.
IDOG Rescue was founded in 2006 and works as a foster-based facility. This rescue deals exclusively with Labradoodles and Goldendoodles, so it’s a great place to start your search.
Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue
Rescue Details:
Address: Somerset, WI
Email: Contact the rescue through the website
Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue is a foster-based rescue that doesn’t have a shelter facility.
Located just out of Somerset, WI, the rescue holds regular adoption events, where potential adopters can visit and meet whichever dogs attend.
The adoption fees vary; you’ll find details on each dog’s profile page. If you want to arrange to meet a particular dog, you need to complete an application form on the website.
Why Do Labradoodles Finish Up In Rescues?
Labradoodles can make ideal family pets. Doodles are generally happy, loving, friendly pups that don’t have temperaments problems. So, how come Labradoodles finish up in rescues?
Lack Of Training
Training a puppy of any breed is a time-consuming, frustrating process, and there will be setbacks.
Sadly, many people are so taken by the puppy’s cute teddy bear looks that they don’t appreciate how much work it takes to socialize, potty train, crate train, and obedience train a Labradoodle puppy using positive reinforcement techniques.
Consequently, those owners often don’t bother to train their puppy properly or at all. Ultimately, they end up with a bad-mannered, disobedient dog that’s a nuisance and finishes up being owner-surrendered to a shelter.
Lifestyle Changes
It’s very common for dogs to be surrendered to rescue centers due to a change in the owner’s lifestyle.
The dog’s owner might get divorced, have a baby, lose their job, or develop a serious health condition. All those events can mean that there’s no longer a place in that person’s life for a dog, so Fido ends up in a rescue.
Relocation
A house move is another common reason for a dog ending up in a shelter. In some cases, the owner’s new landlord doesn’t allow pets, so the dog is surrendered to a shelter.
Bereavement
Often, a dog’s owner passes away, and there’s no one to take care of their pet. So, the dog is surrendered to a rescue.
Time Pressures
Regardless of its breed or size, every dog needs exercise. Labradoodles need grooming, sometimes daily, depending on their coat type. As mentioned above, dogs need ongoing training. Add to that vacuuming up dog hair, washing dog beds, and spending one-to-one time with the dog.
Once the owner returns to work following lockdown, they might not have the time all those essential activities consume. So, the dog no longer fits their lifestyle.
High-Energy Dogs
All Labradoodles have a high energy level and need plenty of daily exercise to keep them mentally and physically happy and healthy.
Many people find they have neither the physical fitness nor time to keep up with such a lively dog, so poor Fido ends up in a rescue.
Financial Commitment
Dog ownership is not a cheap undertaking; many people don’t realize how much raising a puppy will cost them. As well as food, toys, bedding, a crate, and vet’s fees, you’ll also pay for professional grooming and care for your dog if you go away on vacation.
Senior dogs often need ongoing medical treatment and special food, all of which are expensive.
Pet Allergies
Labradoodles are popular with pet allergy sufferers since they are reputedly hypoallergenic. However, even curly-coated Labradoodles do shed to some degree and can trigger a reaction in those with severe allergies.
Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to predict with any accuracy how a puppy’s coat will turn out in adulthood. So, if an allergy sufferer buys a Labradoodle puppy that turns out to have a straight, shedding coat, that dog will most likely end up in a rescue.
What Are The Benefits of Adopting?
Adopting an adult dog can be a great solution if you don’t want to take on a puppy. Here’s what’s so great bout adopting!
- You could save a canine life! Adopting a dog gives that pup a second chance at finding happiness in a loving, safe, forever home. And you’ll feel good about that too!
- Puppy mills make their money by producing as many puppies of certain breeds, including Labradoodles, cheaply and quickly. If you adopt a dog rather than buying one, puppy mills will eventually be a thing of the past.
- Adult dogs are often already potty trained and understand a few basic commands. So, rather than starting from scratch as you would if you bought a puppy, you’re off to a flyer with an adult rescue dog!
- Rescue dogs are vaccinated, desexed, microchipped, and receive a full veterinary health check before returning to their new homes. That way, you can be sure you’re bringing home a healthy dog with no ongoing health problems.
Since the pandemic, the demand for rescue dogs has rocketed. Although that’s undoubtedly a good thing, it also means that you won’t find many Labradoodles in rescues. So, be patient, and take your time to find the right furry friend for you.
You might also like: Top Labradoodle Rescues in Illinois
How Much Does It Cost To Adopt A Labradoodle From A Rescue?
Labradoodles are extremely popular family dogs. That means your adoption fees will be higher than for other mixed breeds.
Currently, you can expect to pay from $200 right up to $1,000 to adopt a Labradoodle. However, you should remember that the adoption fee covers the cost of vaccinations, microchipping, deworming, desexing, and a full vet check, saving you quite a bit of cash in the long run.
What To Know Before Adopting
There are a few things to know before you begin the process of adopting an adult dog from a rescue.
- A dog is for life! Labradoodles can live for up to 15 years or even longer. Are you prepared to make such a long commitment?
- Do you know anything about the dog’s background? Some rescue dogs come from abusive homes and might have behavioral issues you’ll need to address.
- Owning a dog is expensive. Can you afford vet bills, insurance, etc. There’s no such thing as a low-cost Labradoodle!
- Dogs need a lot of time commitment. Does your lifestyle allow you the time to exercise, groom, train, and play with a dog?
- Labradoodles can suffer from separation anxiety. Is it fair to keep a dog if you’re out at work all day?
If you have any doubts or questions about dog ownership, chat to a rescue staff member or your vet for advice before adopting.
You might also like: Top Labradoodle Rescues In Indiana
Tips For Getting Approved As An Adopter
So, you’re ready to apply to adopt a Labradoodle! That’s great news, but what can you do to ensure you get accepted?
- Research the Labradoodle breed by reading some of the articles on our website. Rescues appreciate that potential adopters have made the effort to understand the breed’s personality and needs.
- Ask lots of questions to understand the adoption process and what support you will likely receive in the future, once you get your new pet home.
- Fence your backyard and dog-proof your home so that you will pass a home inspection if the rescue carries one out.
- Don’t apply to adopt a dog based on a photo and blurb on a website. Make the effort to visit the dog and have some playtime with him so that you know the pup is a good fit for you.
- Provide as much information as you can on your adoption application form. The more the rescue knows about your circumstances, the better.
- Don’t be discouraged if your first application is not accepted. Ask the rescue why you were unsuccessful, make any changes necessary to improve your chances of success, and keep on trying.
You might also like: Top Labradoodle Rescues In Michigan
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed our list of Labradoodle rescues in Minnesota. Please share the article if you found it helpful!
Every dog deserves to find a happy forever home, and if you don’t want the hassle of taking on a puppy, a rescue Labradoodle could be the ideal option for you.
Do you have a rescue Labradoodle? Tell us about your furry friend in the comments box below.