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The Best German Shepherd Rescues & Shelters in 2024

David Adams

June 25, 2024

Dog Rescues & Shelters

This list showcases the top german shepherd rescues and shelters, all making a significant impact on the lives of countless dogs. We've compiled this list by gathering heartfelt testimonials from both the Sniffspot community and the wider public, ensuring a well-rounded perspective on these exceptional organizations.

Laila's Legacy Animal Rescue
#15 in United States, #1 in District of Columbia
German Shepherd, Pit Bull, Rottweiler
Washington
Laila's Legacy was founded with a mission to ensure dogs impacted by breed bias and behavioral or physical challenges have a chance at a better life. Laila, our name sake, was an incredible dog who had a behavioral challenge that caused aggression towards dogs. Laila loved her humans, and especially our Co-Founder, Ashe. She was a large bully breed so her size combined with local breed bias meant sometimes people were afraid of her. But that didn't stop her from winning people over with her goofy energy. The rescue she was with did not have the resources to support Laila and couldn't find a suitable partner to take on her care because of her size and breed. As a result she was euthanized. Laila's Legacy was founded to save dogs like Laila. We never want a dog to be euthanized because an owner, a volunteer, or an organization didn't have the resources or because breed bias stopped them from getting the help they deserved. Dogs like Laila deserve a chance at life and that's what we're here to do!
"Doing great work, really know what they are doing and stay positive doing it."
— sophia k.
Fan
"Doing great work with animals and Ashe is the best to work with"
— sophia h.
Fan

Rescue Rebels by Cash 4 Canines
#47 in United States, #3 in Florida
German Shepherd
Orlando
Cash 4 Canines, Inc. dba Rescue Rebels' sole mission is to provide a better and improved life, essentially a "second chance", for working dog breeds that have been left at shelters, surrendered by their owners, or that have been abused and neglected. Through Rescue Rebels, these companion animals are rescued, given the physical care necessary, spayed or neutered, and provided with behavioral guidance if necessary. Our TLC Transformation Project welcomes medically fragile companion animals, that have been left at shelters and provides funds for the medical care unique to each animal's needs, and then finds these animals foster homes or "fur" ever homes.
"Amazing rescue, dedicated to do everything possible, with the most passionate volunteers"
— cullen s.
Volunteer / foster, Supporter
"Amazing rescue, dedicated to do everything possible, with the most passionate volunteers"
— cullen s.
Volunteer / foster, Supporter

CHAR WILLS GERMAN GERMAN SHEPHERD RESCUE
#97 in United States, #5 in Pennsylvania
German Shepherd
Reading
We are a breed-specific rescue nestled in the picturesque mountains of Schuylkill County, PA. Our adoptable German Shepherds come from shelters, have been abandoned or are owner-surrenders. Meet & Greets with our dogs are By Appointment Only.
"I have volunteered a few times for Char-Wills, and have been very impressed with the care and effort they make..."
— douglas a.
Volunteer / foster
"I haven’t adopted yet, but they have been incredibly helpful and supportive of my current rescue situation. I am so..."
— kristen t.
Supporter

ShepHeroes
#102 in United States, #11 in California
German Shepherd
Sacramento
Powered by volunteers and funded by donors, we rely on many heroes to help deserving abandoned German Shepherd Dogs; in return, these shepherds provide unconditional love to the families adopting them. The goal of ShepHeroes is lifelong placement; we take pride in finding the ideal lifelong match possible for dogs and humans alike by placing all of our dogs in foster homes to allow them to decompress and for us to learn their personalities, temperament, and needs. When committed foster homes are available for long-term care of medical dogs, we prioritize assisting those shepherds as they are the most at risk in shelters. Bean, Hayzel, Shania, Tori, and Stewie joined us in the past year for extensive surgeries and lengthy recoveries. Bean arrived with a chunk of her lip missing and will have surgery to repair her maxillofacial trauma when her muzzle reaches the adult stage at seven to eight months of age. In Shania's case, her fracture exam revealed a severe heart defect that, untreated, would have caused heart failure, which was repaired with heart surgery to give her a whole, healthy life. Shania was with us for seven months through three surgeries. Tori, in addition to her fracture repair, had an eye enucleation. Also, in 2023, Abbott and Costello were treated for parvo and survived thanks to prompt medical care. Multiple dogs have recovered in our care from surgeries for ingesting foreign objects like socks and balls before coming to our rescue. We have treated ear and severe skin infections, mange, influenza, and kennel cough, reduced many hernias, altered cryptoid male dogs, treated heartworm-positive shepherds, and ensured emaciated ones received care to reach optimum weight for their age. And have provided routine ongoing veterinary care of vaccinations, heartworm, flea/tick preventatives, spay and neuters, and deworming for over 340 shepherds since 2018. One of our special pups, Kenzo, came to us at the behest of his ER vet. Found on the street hit by a car, Kenzo was rushed by a good Samaritan to the local ER. He suffered from a brain injury, fractured leg, and bodily trauma, initially unable to walk, hold his head up, and possibly blind. With the guidance of his neurology vet, we gave him supportive care, trusting that puppy brains can heal. His brain healed with a residual head tilt, giving us a sweet, loving, active pup thriving in his adoptive home. We also assisted many shy and frightened shepherds who needed to learn to trust people, become at ease in new environments, and learn good pack manners thanks to resident dogs of our foster homes. Two of our dogs have become working dogs, completing service dog training and supporting their owners as hearing and seizure-alert dogs. A few of our dogs have completed therapy dog training and provide comfort through various venues. Since inception, we have assisted 24 municipal animal control shelters and partnered with seven rescues to bring shepherds to safety from the Sacramento Region south to Monterey County and north to Butte County. ShepHeroes was established in May 2018; our volunteer board and management team's experience saving shepherds encompasses over a decade of dedication to the breed.
"Teddy and I found each other 5 1/2 years ago, through the help of ShepHeroes, and he is truly my..."
— ann b.
Adoptee
"Shep Heroes goes above and beyond to save GSDs, responsive, adaptable, super caring, finds a way to help a dog..."
— ginny h.
Volunteer / foster

Tier Haven Rescue, Inc
#177 in United States, #3 in Kentucky
German Shepherd
Louisville
At Tier Haven our hearts belong to the working dog breeds of Kentucky - German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois being our most common companions. The Tier Haven family is comprised of volunteers, adopters, and donors who have a passionate love for these working breeds and all of their quirks. We are brought together by the dogs that steal our hearts while chewing the shoe collection. Tier Haven Rescue, Inc was originally incorporated in 1996 under the name ARK Project, Inc and is a long standing member of the animal rescue community in Kentucky. Originally an all-breed rescue Tier Haven shifted to focus on working dogs with the rise of breed specific legislation which was leading to larger numbers of German Shepherds, and other working dogs, being euthanized. We are rooted in Kentucky with a strong passion for enacting change within the state which has a long journey towards building our animal welfare laws. Even as breed specific legislation has dwindled there are still large numbers of working dogs finding themselves at risk of euthanasia due to a lack of breed knowledge and/or training. Tier Haven is committed to giving these dogs a second chance and we are all honored to be part of their paths to a better life.
"Tier Haven is near and dear to my heart. This rescue recognizes the human animal bond and is dedicated to..."
— elizabeth s.
Volunteer / foster, Staff member
"My husband and I adopted 3 German shepherds from Tier Haven over the last 5 years and we cannot say..."
— alina h.
Adoptee

What's the Sniffspot Top German Shepherd Rescue & Shelter List About?

Welcome to the 2024 Sniffspot Top German Shepherd Rescue & Shelter List, highlighting the top German Shepherd rescues and shelters chosen by the Sniffspot community and the public.

This list is sponsored by Sniffspot, the largest global network of private dog parks. Sniffspot offers thousands of private dog parks around the world, including fenced, water, indoor, and beach parks. As a hub for rescue dogs, our sponsorship underscores our dedication to supporting shelters and rescues. Explore local dog parks on Sniffspot's platform.

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See The Best Dog Rescues & Shelters By Type In The United States

Sniffspot German Shepherd Rescues & Shelters Frequently Asked Questions

How many German Shepherd dog rescues and shelters operate in the United States?

Arizona has the most German Shepherd dog rescues and shelters with 1.

What are the most reputable German Shepherd dog rescues and shelters in the United States?

There are many reputable German Shepherd rescues and shelters, the top 3 on our list are: Laila's Legacy Animal Rescue, Rescue Rebels by Cash 4 Canines, CHAR WILLS GERMAN GERMAN SHEPHERD RESCUE

Why do these dog rescues and shelters focus on German Shepherd?

Each dog rescue has its own mission, which is the reason it exists. For example, Laila's Legacy Animal Rescue’s mission is 'Laila's Legacy was founded with a mission to ensure that every homeless dog - including those with behavioral or physical challenges - that comes through our doors has a chance at a better life while educating the public on breed bias, individualistic training, and the importance of spay-neuter to lower the impact of returned, rehomed, and abandoned animals in shelters across the United States.'.

How can I adopt a German Shepherd rescue dog?

Using our list of the top German Shepherd dog rescues and shelters, you can find a reputable shelter. The adoption policies of each shelter varies and you can find information on the shelter profile page. Here is an example adoption policy:
We work with adopters to help them find a dog that is the right fit for them and their lifestyle! We do require pets in the home are altered and up to date on medical care, and require any animals we adopt to them are indoor only and have a training requirement to be started within a month of adoption. We don't require a yard but rather focus on a proper plan for mental, social, and physical enrichment..

Where are these German Shepherd dog rescues and shelters located?

There are German Shepherd dog rescues and shelters in 11 states, including Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky

How can I find a German Shepherd dog rescue or shelter in my local city?

There are German Shepherd dog rescues and shelters in 10 cities, including Scottsdale, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Francisco, Orlando. You can also find your local city rescue and shelter page and browse through rescues on that specific page to find a local rescue.

Get your dog the safe enrichment they need by renting a Sniffspot

David Adams

June 25, 2024

Dog Rescues & Shelters

David Adams

About the author

David Adams is a man of many passions, but his love for dogs stands above all. He is not only a dog lover, but also the founder of an innovative platform called Sniffspot. This unique platform connects dog owners with private property owners who are willing to rent out their space for off-leash playtime. While the idea of Sniffspot was initially conceived by his wife, Rebecca, David has been the driving force behind its remarkable success, tirelessly overseeing its growth and development. David's dedication to providing safe and enjoyable spaces for dogs to play, explore, and socialize is evident in his unwavering commitment to Sniffspot. He strongly believes that dogs need ample space and opportunities to stretch their legs and have fun. As a result, he has worked tirelessly to build a network of private property owners across the country who share his vision and are willing to offer their space for the benefit of dogs and their owners. Despite his busy schedule, David always finds time to indulge in his passion for the great outdoors. He loves nothing more than exploring new hiking trails and embarking on thrilling outdoor adventures. Whenever he is not working on Sniffspot, he can often be found hiking or visiting multi-acre fenced sniffspots with his two beloved dogs, Soba and Toshii. He is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys the fresh air, breathtaking scenery, and the sense of freedom that comes with being in nature. David is based in Salem, MA.

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About Sniffspot

Sniffspot provides the best experiences and fun for you and your dog. Our dog parks are designed for the ultimate dog exercise. Our private spaces help you minimize distractions or triggers and maximize time with your dog. We provide off leash enrichment - exploration and activities you can't get anywhere else; wear your dog out for days. We make it easy to have playdates. Socialize your pup in a controlled, private spot - it's great exercise and it's fun for you and your dog.

The Best German Shepherd Rescues & Shelters in 2024

Laila's Legacy Animal Rescue

Rescue Rebels by Cash 4 Canines

CHAR WILLS GERMAN GERMAN SHEPHERD RESCUE

ShepHeroes

Tier Haven Rescue, Inc

What's the Sniffspot Top German Shepherd Rescue & Shelter List About?

See The Best Dog Rescues & Shelters By Type In The United States

Sniffspot German Shepherd Rescues & Shelters Frequently Asked Questions

How many German Shepherd dog rescues and shelters operate in the United States?

What are the most reputable German Shepherd dog rescues and shelters in the United States?

Why do these dog rescues and shelters focus on German Shepherd?

How can I adopt a German Shepherd rescue dog?

Where are these German Shepherd dog rescues and shelters located?

How can I find a German Shepherd dog rescue or shelter in my local city?

David Adams

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