Full of charm and charisma, French Bulldogs are increasingly popular as pets in the US. In fact, their popularity has exploded to the extent that they are now the second most popular US dog breed after Labradors- who’d have thought?!
Florida residents in particular adore their ‘Frenchies’ and they recently topped the charts as the most popular breed in Miami.
Being so popular also means that there is no shortage of French Bulldogs in rescue centers looking for new homes. So if you live in Florida and you are considering adopting a French Bulldog, you might be wondering where to start looking.
To help you in your search for your new best buddy, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to finding a rescue French Bulldog in Florida.
Table of Contents
Pet Adoption Websites
1, 2, & 3. Petfinder, adoptapet, and rescueme
A great start to your search is checking the pet adoption rescue websites for Frenchies. For many rescue organizations, pet adoption websites are their ‘go to’ as they easily reach a much larger audience.
You may also save yourself time by searching these websites first as you can narrow down your search by breed and location. You can also set up alerts to let you know when new listings are placed that fit your search criteria.
For more pet adoption websites click here
French Bulldog Rescue Centers in Florida
There are a number of French Bulldog rescue organizations that specialize in rehoming Frenchies and Frenchie mixes.
Few are physically based in Florida but nearly all of them have a network of foster homes there, so may have available dogs not too far from you. It’s a good idea to look at Frenchie rescue organizations in neighboring states too.
Here are the top French Bulldog rescues that cover Florida:
4. The French Bulldog Rescue Network
The French Bulldog Rescue Network (FBRN) operates throughout the US and Canada and is run by volunteers who rescue, rehabilitate and rehome French Bulldogs and Frenchie mixes.
The FBRN takes in dogs from public shelters, owner surrenders, breeding kennels, and other private rescue groups. They have foster homes in Florida and the surrounding states and a quick check shows three Frenchies available for adoption in Florida at the time of writing.
If you see a dog on their website that you are interested in, you can apply to adopt them. They ask for a non-refundable $10 application fee per dog and you will need to submit details about the home you can offer and why you think the dog is a good match.
All applications are reviewed by the FBRN foster family, then telephone interviews are conducted and the most suitable applicant is chosen. They will then arrange a home check before you pick up the dog from the foster home.
All Frenchies from the FBRN are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. They make all potential adopters aware of any ongoing medical issues that the dog has.
The adoption fee is $900 for a Frenchie under 2 years, $550 for dogs aged 2 to 8 years, and $400 for dogs over 8 years or with special medical needs.
41 Crossroads Plaza Suite 232, West Hartford, CT 06117
5. The French Bulldog Village Rescue
The French Bulldog Rescue Village is a non-profit organization that is run by volunteers from all over the US. Their mission is to rescue, rehome and rehabilitate French Bulldogs and their mixes, as well as to educate potential dog owners on how to source their Frenchies responsibly.
The FBRV has available dogs posted on their website and Facebook page. If you see a dog that you are interested in, they encourage you to carefully read the information provided about the dog.
If you feel that it may be the right dog for you, click to fill out the adoption application for that dog. Give as much information as you can about the type of home you can offer. They ask that you tell them about all family members and pets in your household.
There is a $10 non-refundable application fee for each dog that you apply for. If there are no suitable dogs advertised, they advise you to sign up to their mailing list so they can let you know when new dogs are made available.
If your application is successful, your reference will be followed up and the rescue will contact you to organize a phone interview. Then there will be a home check before a final decision is made.
If you are successful, you must sign the adoption contract and pay the adoption fee within three days of the decision. The adoption fee will be individual for each dog, depending on its age and health.
The FBRV are very clear that you must collect the dog yourself within two weeks of signing the adoption contract, they will not ship dogs as it may be detrimental to their welfare.
All FBRV dogs are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated. Potential owners are given information about any medical issues at the start of the adoption process.
P.O. Box 719, Conshohocken, PA 19428
6. Florida English Bulldog Rescue
An English Bulldog Rescue may not be top of your list when looking for a French Bulldog for adoption, but Florida English Bulldog Rescue does rehome French Bulldogs too!
FEBR has been rescuing and rehoming bulldogs since 2007 and is run entirely by volunteers. There are bulldog and French bulldogs for adoption on their website and you can apply to adopt if you see a dog that you are interested in.
They recommend submitting an adoption application even if you don’t see a suitable dog on their website so they can place you on the waiting list. Fill in the application in as much detail as you can and you will also need to pay a $20 application fee.
The rescue volunteers will then contact your references, conduct a phone interview with you, and then carry out a home check before either putting you on the waiting list for a dog or proceeding with the adoption process if they already have a suitable one available.
Adoption fees vary between $150 and $800 per dog. It is worth noting that if you already have a dog at home, the FEBR will want to see evidence of current heartworm prevention.
FEBR P.O. Box 754, Odessa, Fl. 33556
7. Southern States Bully Rescue
If you are looking to adopt a French Bulldog in Florida, it would be a good idea to contact Southern States Bully Rescue. They rescue and rehome a variety of bull breeds including Frenchies and Frenchie mixes.
Many of their dogs have previously suffered neglect and so need special, loving homes. SSBR is based in Florida but also covers neighboring states. They advertise available dogs on their website and also on Petfinder.com.
If you see a dog that you are interested in, the first step is to fill in the adoption application form on the website. You will also need to give contact details for three references. If SSBR thinks you can offer a suitable home, they will contact you to arrange a home check.
Adoption fees aren’t advertised on the website but you will be given this information if you request it.
Rescue Centers in Florida
If you haven’t found your new best friend in a French Bulldog or bull breed rescue organization, your next step is to check out the other animal shelters in Florida.
They will have a variety of breeds, but let them know what you are looking for, and make sure they have all your details so they can contact you if a French Bulldog does become available.
Here are the top dog rescues that may have French Bulldogs for adoption in Florida:
8. Humane Society of North Central Florida
The Humane Society of North Central Florida is an amalgamation of three smaller rescue organizations that joined forces in 2018 to rescue and rehome the pets in need of Florida, and put an end to needless euthanasia of healthy animals.
If you see a French Bulldog available for adoption on their website, you will need to fill out an adoption application form. An appointment for a meet and greet with the dog will then be scheduled.
If you all agree that this is the right dog for you, there will be an adoption fee to pay, this is $300 for puppies under 5 months and $250 for small-medium breed adult dogs.
All dogs from this rescue are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated. They will also be heartworm tested if over 6 months old.
4205 NW 6th St, Gainesville, FL
+1 352-373-5855
9. The Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League
The Peggy Adams Rescue League is based in West Palm Beach, Florida. Many of their dogs are larger bull breed mixes but they may occasionally have French Bulldogs for adoption.
They have a large adoption center where you can view the dogs available for rehoming, open daily from 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Adoptable dogs are also advertised on their website, currently they have 63 dogs available.
The rescue center encourages you and your family to meet the dogs in person to find the perfect match. Once you have found the dog you would like to adopt, you will be given advice and guidance to help the adoption process run smoothly.
Your credentials will be checked before the adoption goes ahead, you will need to be at least 18 years of age and have a US Government-issued photo ID.
The adoption fee for a French Bulldog or similar-sized dog is $250. The fee includes spay/neuter surgery, microchip, vaccinations, $25 discount on parasite control, 30 days of insurance cover, a starter bag of dog food, free basic training classes, and support from the shelter throughout the life of your dog.
3100/3200 N Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL
561-686-3663
10. Florida Little Dog Rescue
Founded in 2009, Florida Little Dog Rescue is run entirely by volunteers and covers the Central Florida area. If you are looking for a French Bulldog in Orlando this may be a good option as all of their dogs are fostered in this area.
While in foster, the dogs are behaviorally assessed to enable the carers to match them with the right home. Available dogs are advertised on their website and Facebook page.
If you see a dog that you are interested in, fill out the application form fully as they will not review incomplete applications. FLDR suggests checking the website frequently as they regularly update the available dog list.
If you are successfully matched with a dog, you will have a telephone interview and then a meet and greet at the foster home. You will need to take all family members, human and canine, with you.
There will be an adoption contract to sign and an adoption fee to pay- between $150 and $500 depending on the age and health of the dog.
PO Box 702364, St Cloud, FL 34770
407-279-1127
FAQ's
Why should I adopt a French Bulldog?
There are so many great reasons to adopt a French Bulldog. They are full of character and make great companions– Frenchie owners often describe them as charismatic clowns!
Many French Bulldogs find themselves needing a new home through no fault of their own- sometimes a bereavement or family breakup means the dog ends up in a rescue center.
There are also many ex-breeding dogs from puppy mills looking for a new home. When you give a rescue dog a home, you change the whole world for that dog and it is one of the most rewarding things you will ever do.
What should I consider before I adopt a French Bulldog?
The most important thing to consider is whether you can provide everything the dog needs. Companionship, regular exercise, good quality food, healthcare, and training- these things all cost time and money.
Suggested reading: Questions to ask when adopting a rescue dog, Reasons dogs are returned after adoption
Consider whether you are able to take on a dog with behavioral issues or medical conditions. You will need to be patient with your rescue dog and give them time to settle into your home.
Suggested reading: First 24 hours with a rescue dog
They may not be house-trained and may wake up in the night until they start to feel safe. Getting to know your new Frenchie will take a few months and it won’t always be plain sailing, but over time the bond between a rescue dog and its owner grows to be incredibly strong.
Seek out support from the rescue organization and a local dog trainer to help you along the way.
Suggested reading: Why is it so hard to adopt a dog from rescue? Ways to identify a reputable dog rescue shelter
Final thoughts on French Bulldog Rescue in Florida
Hopefully you’ve now got all the information you need to find your new Frenchie. Be prepared to wait for the right dog, and you may need to travel out of the area a little, but it will all be worth it when you find your new best buddy!
Suggested reading: French Bulldog Rescue Colorado, Adopting vs buying a dog
