Labrador Retriever and Poodle Dogs Available for Adoption

Meet Mia, the labradoodle! This 4 year old spayed female came to the Shelter after her previous guardian were moving and unable to continue caring for her. Mia has some good basic life skills down as she knows sit, paw, up and lay down and she’d love to bond with her new family by continuing to learn through positive reinforcement based training. Mia’s favorite activities are being outside and playing. She has done well riding in a car. She has lived with children ages 8, 13 and 16 years old and did well. At the Shelter, Mia has been a little nervous and unsure. She seems to be sensitive to changes in her environment, people and animals around her. A home that will give her an adequate decompression time and be patient with her in the transition will be the best fit. Mia has met other dogs at the Shelter and has coexisted with them in the yards at the Shelter sniffing around. Although inexperienced at this time, Mia may do well in a home with a neutral dog provided there is a slow, thoughtful introduction. The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation is now offering “Pawsitivity Bucks” with every dog adoption. This $200 training voucher is a way for newly adopted canines and their guardians to connect with local positive reinforcement based behavior consultants and get their relationship started off on the right paw! Please note: Our Santa Cruz location’s Shelter hours are 11-6pm, 7 days a week! Although clients can walk through and see any animals in their kennels during open hours, we end “meet and greets” (aka meeting an animal out of the kennel) at 4:30pm every day. If you’d like to meet an animal out of the kennel, please arrive before 4:00pm to allow for time to discuss individual animals and meet them.

The Labrador Retriever is a popular and versatile dog breed known for its friendly demeanor and high intelligence. These dogs are often used as guide dogs for the visually impaired, search and rescue dogs, and excellent family pets. Labradors are known for their great sense of smell, strong build, and love of water, making them exceptional hunters and swimmers. With their loyal and loving nature, Labradors have rightfully earned their reputation as one of the most beloved dog breeds in the world.

The Poodle is a highly intelligent and elegant dog breed known for its distinctive curly coat and graceful appearance. Originally bred as water retrievers, Poodles come in three size varieties Standard, Miniature, and Toy each with their unique characteristics but sharing the breed's alert and friendly nature. Renowned for their hypoallergenic qualities and keen sense of humor, Poodles excel in various dog sports and activities, making them versatile companions suitable for different lifestyles and living situations.

The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is a non-profit Joint Powers Authority (EIN 90-0039494) serving the County of Santa Cruz,...