Not all Poodle rescue centres are alike. Some actually aren’t Poodle rescue centres at all, but are puppy mills, or Poodle hoarders who really don’t know what they’re doing. There isn’t any parent organization that supervises all animal rescue centres. Basically, anyone can set up one, but they have to register it as a charity. Here is how to tell good from bad Poodle rescue centres.
This is why it takes a long time to go through the Poodle adoption process. You will feel like you are going through a human child adoption process. This is the sign of a really good Poodle rescue group! You should never be able to pay a fee and have a dog on your doorstep the next morning. That is a puppy mill, not a legitimate rescue group.
Expect to be grilled on your Poodle information, or lack thereof. If you show no knowledge of Poodle care or needs, then you will be politely turned down, no matter whom you protest to. There is no parent organization that oversees all animal rescue groups in America.
If you have a problem with the Poodle rescue centre you are working with, you can only get the problems solved within the Poodle rescue centre. Expect to have your background checked, asked to provide character references and maybe even be expected to submit a letter from your veterinarian.
A good Poodle rescue centre’s website will be loaded with Poodle information. They will not do any sales pressure tactics up front (except for “please donate to out charity” or “current news”), but usually sends you a very lengthy adoption application form. Even if you make a preference for a dog pictured on a site, you will not be given the dog if you are found to be unsuitable.
A good Poodle rescue centre will give you a background check like you would not believe possible. This is because they want to be assured that you and the dog will get along, and that the poor dog will not wind up back in the shelter system. A great Poodle rescue centre is run very similarly to a human adoption centre. Be patient, and realize that most of the rescue workers are volunteers with busy lives.
Always meet the dog you want to adopt before any money or signatures exchange hands. You want to be sure not only that you and the dog get along, but also that the dog has been getting proper care. You really don’t want to bring a dog home, fall in love and then discover that the dog has been trained to attack small children.
And that is for no extra charge. They also get to know the personalities of all of the dogs up for adoption, so that you are assured of compatibility.