Florida Poodle Rescue came to life in 1994 thanks to the efforts of two women, Patricia Bonati and Martha Harrington. They were dog rescuers with enough energy and heart to attract others to their cause and since FPR's inception, they have helped find homes for over 6000 standard, miniature and toy poodles. FPR's mission is to place unwanted, abandoned and abused poodles in loving homes where they will be cherished family members for the rest of their lives. They also strive to educate the public about a breed they describe as loyal, with a great sense of humor and a personality that greets each day with delight.
Each dog fostered is neutered or spayed, examined by a veterinarian and updated on vaccinations. Some dogs have urgent needs for more in depth medical care. FPR has provided facial reconstructions, hip surgery, cataract surgery and treatment for heartworms. While in foster care, they are evaluated for special needs. FPR keeps a data base of adopter's requests for dogs of preferred sex, size and color. If you are interested in adopting a poodle, visit the FPR website, where you will find an application form and details about the adoption process. Adoption fees are $150 for dogs over four years, and $200 for dogs under that age.
There are no pictures of adoptable dogs on FPR's website. Like other rescue organizations, they are run by dedicated volunteers and at this time they do not have people who can keep the website updated with current adoption candidates. So, here's a shout out to techies with a couple hours of spare time each month and a soft heart for poodles in need! FPR is also looking for foster home candidates and transporters. Of course, money is always welcome. Contact FPR and help out a good cause. Be sure to click on the link "Where Do Donations go?" on the FPR site. The recovery story of Samson is a tribute to the work that this fine rescue group does. * The beautiful photo up top was taken by photographer Carrie Peterson, who is herself a dedicated volunteer for FPR and the canine mother to a rescued standard poodle.
Each dog fostered is neutered or spayed, examined by a veterinarian and updated on vaccinations. Some dogs have urgent needs for more in depth medical care. FPR has provided facial reconstructions, hip surgery, cataract surgery and treatment for heartworms. While in foster care, they are evaluated for special needs. FPR keeps a data base of adopter's requests for dogs of preferred sex, size and color. If you are interested in adopting a poodle, visit the FPR website, where you will find an application form and details about the adoption process. Adoption fees are $150 for dogs over four years, and $200 for dogs under that age.
There are no pictures of adoptable dogs on FPR's website. Like other rescue organizations, they are run by dedicated volunteers and at this time they do not have people who can keep the website updated with current adoption candidates. So, here's a shout out to techies with a couple hours of spare time each month and a soft heart for poodles in need! FPR is also looking for foster home candidates and transporters. Of course, money is always welcome. Contact FPR and help out a good cause. Be sure to click on the link "Where Do Donations go?" on the FPR site. The recovery story of Samson is a tribute to the work that this fine rescue group does. * The beautiful photo up top was taken by photographer Carrie Peterson, who is herself a dedicated volunteer for FPR and the canine mother to a rescued standard poodle.
Another of FPR's hard working volunteers is Julie who sent me the story of some of her rescue successes:
"I have been fortunate enough over the years to adopt 6 dogs (1 standard poodle, 2 miniature poodles, 2 toy poodles and even a collie) from Florida Poodle Rescue, as well as volunteer and be a part of this great organization. They have given me my "children". Some were older souls that needed a home and have since passed on, but I have cherished each and every one and have been saddened by what they have had to endure before Florida Poodle Rescue came to their aid. "Spencer" was turned into animal control over on the other coast of Florida, I was 
just supposed to transport this middle aged poodle that Florida Poodle Rescue had agreed to take in. When I got there they said, "we didn't want to tell you over the phone but he is about 20 years old and his family had to move and turned him in to be euthanized, will you still take him?" Looking at this poor old soul, how could I say no? I immediately fell in love with him. It was so rewarding to see this sad little poodle blossom into a sophisticated senior that was still so full of himself. Sadly, I only had Spencer for about 2 years before he passed on, but he knew he was loved and went over the rainbow bridge quietly in my arms, not at a shelter which was his destiny before Florida Poodle Rescue stepped in. Lewis, Clark & Baby Ruth have something in common- they were all confiscated by animal control from puppy mill raids. Lewis & Clark were both from a raid right here in the Tampa Bay area, where a breeder had over 400 dogs. They were some of the original dogs taken as evidence to build a case against this breeder and unfortunately had to live in animal control for almost a year before being released. Baby Ruth was from a puppy mill raid in Melbourne, Florida. ( That's Baby Ruth in the before and after photos on the right) Not only was she a matted mess, but she was so sick I really didn't think she would survive. Fortunately, she is a fighter and is stronger than ever. Every dog has a different story or reason that they 
have somehow ended up in Florida Poodle Rescue but each and every one is so grateful. I know my family wouldn't be the same without my dogs and I am so thankful that Florida Poodle Rescue saved them and matched them up to me!
just supposed to transport this middle aged poodle that Florida Poodle Rescue had agreed to take in. When I got there they said, "we didn't want to tell you over the phone but he is about 20 years old and his family had to move and turned him in to be euthanized, will you still take him?" Looking at this poor old soul, how could I say no? I immediately fell in love with him. It was so rewarding to see this sad little poodle blossom into a sophisticated senior that was still so full of himself. Sadly, I only had Spencer for about 2 years before he passed on, but he knew he was loved and went over the rainbow bridge quietly in my arms, not at a shelter which was his destiny before Florida Poodle Rescue stepped in. Lewis, Clark & Baby Ruth have something in common- they were all confiscated by animal control from puppy mill raids. Lewis & Clark were both from a raid right here in the Tampa Bay area, where a breeder had over 400 dogs. They were some of the original dogs taken as evidence to build a case against this breeder and unfortunately had to live in animal control for almost a year before being released. Baby Ruth was from a puppy mill raid in Melbourne, Florida. ( That's Baby Ruth in the before and after photos on the right) Not only was she a matted mess, but she was so sick I really didn't think she would survive. Fortunately, she is a fighter and is stronger than ever. Every dog has a different story or reason that they 
have somehow ended up in Florida Poodle Rescue but each and every one is so grateful. I know my family wouldn't be the same without my dogs and I am so thankful that Florida Poodle Rescue saved them and matched them up to me!
