6 Best German Shepherd Rescues in Illinois! (2023)

Are you searching for the best German Shepherd rescues in Illinois? If you are searching, then you’ve come to the right place. German Shepherds – an all-time favorite dog breed, have only continued to grow in popularity in the United States. This is probably due to their unique personality and handsome features.

Moreover, German Shepherds are smart, intelligent, and extremely loyal dogs that make excellent family and working dogs. It is a fact that you will never get bored with a German Shepherd around. However, note that German Shepherds are high-energy dogs that survive best in an active household.

Moreover, Shepherds may be well-suited to owners with plenty of experience and time as, like most other dogs, these furballs tend to get bored quite easily. If you think a German Shepherd is a right pet for you, then we’ve got your back.

Before scrolling down this list of German Shepherd rescues in Illinois, you can check out these other recommendations from our team at We Love Doodles: Best Dachshund Rescues in Illinois and Best Corgi Rescues in Illinois.

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Find a German Shepherd Rescue Near Me in Illinois

As we always say – shop, don’t adopt. So, if you’re looking to adopt a German Shepherd and are a resident of Illinois, keep on reading because we’ve compiled a list of the best German Shepherd rescues in Illinois for you.

German Shepherd Product Recommendations: Best Brushes For a German Shepherd and Best Foods For a German Shepherd to Gain Weight.

1. German Shepherd Rescue, Inc.

If you’re looking for reliable German Shepherd rescues in Illinois, German Shepherd Rescue Inc should be on the top of your life. Founded in 1996, German Shepherd Rescue, Inc is a state-licensed, nonprofit organization that rescues neglected, abused, and other German Shepherd dogs in need. The organization focuses its operations in the Chicago area by providing medical care and training support to dogs under foster care.

The organization has the following adoption & foster requirements:

Applicants need to be of 21 years of age or older and possess the consent of all members of their household to foster or adopt
Must be willing to agree to a house inspection from a German Shepherd Rescue representative
Reside in the Chicagoland area
If the applicant is a renter, they must be willing to allow the rescue organization to contact their landlord and also provide proof of permission to have a German Shepherd

The adoption fees for dogs include:

Under one year – $400
1 – 5 years – $350
6 – 7 years – $250
Eight years plus – $200

The adoption fee includes spay/neuter, age-appropriate vaccines, heartworm/fecal testing, and a microchip.

German Shepherd Rescue, Inc. Details

Address: Chicagoland, Illinois
Email: [email protected]
Website: German Shepherd Rescue, Inc

2. Rescue Me. Animal Rescue Network

Founded by Jeff Gold, Rescue Me. It is an organization that allows people to find all breeds of dogs, cats and other animals loving homes where they can find rescue, shelter, and care they deserve. To find your German Shepherd dog that’s up for adoption, you must visit Rescue Me’s website and select the state of Illinois.

The website will lead you to all the adorable German Shepherds that are up for adoption within Illinois. However, before adopting any puppy – do not forget to conduct thorough research and ensure your puppy is vaccinated, dewormed, and vet-checked. After all, a healthy dog is a happy dog.

Rescue Me. Animal Rescue Network Details

Address: Illinois
Phone: (800) 800-2099
Website: Rescue Me.
Facebook: Rescue Me.

3. Chicago Canine Rescue

Founded in 2001, Chicago Canine Rescue has been dedicated to helping and caring for homeless dogs in Chicago and beyond. Having saved 7000 dogs and puppies (and some adorable cats), CCR provides medical care, emotional and behavioral support, and adoption services to every animal they proudly take care of.

You can check out the dogs listed for adoption on the website. To adopt, you will need to submit an application which CCR will screen; after the screening, an adoption counselor will contact you via email within 48 hours to set up an appointment so that you can meet a dog at the shelter.

Afterward, your application may be approved, and you can take your furry friend home. So, if you’re looking for reliable pet rescues in Illinois, get in touch with Chicago Canine Rescues.

Chicago Canine Rescue Details

Address: Chicagoland, Illinois
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (773) 697-8848
Website: Chicago Canine Rescue

4. Wags 2 Wishes Animal Rescue

Looking for German Shepherd rescue dogs in Illinois? one of the best puppy rescues in Illinois, Wags 2 Wishes Animal Rescue, was founded in 2013; Wags 2 Wishes is a licensed nonprofit animal rescue organization. The shelter is located in Plainfield, Illinois, and rescues sick, abused, and abandoned. Neglected animals face euthanasia because of overcrowding or being too sick for their owners to look after them.

Wags 2 Wishes then provides these animals with a safe transition to their rescue program. You can find out more regarding the types of dogs that are up for adoption at the organization by contacting the organization. You can fill out an online adoption form by clicking on the link to the website below.

The adoption fee ranges from $375 to $425 and may be subjected to change without notice. All dogs under the care of Wags 2 Wishes are vaccinated with age-appropriate vaccines and are medically checked. You can learn more about their adoption process on the website.

Wags 2 Wishes Animal Rescue Details

Address: 23907 W Industrial Dr. N Plainfield, Illinois
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (815) 254-3110
Website: W2W Rescue

5. Starfish Animal Rescue

Starfish Animal Rescue rescues animals from high-kill shelters, provides safe and secure transportation of these animals to non-kill establishments, and helps them find a life with security and care. Starfish animal rescue also aims to intervene in cases of animal cruelty.

Here is how you can adopt a German Shepherd from Starfish Animal Rescue:

Find a German Shepherd on their Petfinder website, Adopt a Pet, or on their website home page
Contact Starfish Animal Rescue for more details regarding the dog, or fill out an adoption application
Email your adoption application to [email protected]
If the center approves your application, a home visit and a meeting with the pet are scheduled
Finalize adoption with the adoption contract, vetting records, and fee

Starfish Animal Rescue’s adoption fee includes spay/neuter, age-appropriate vaccinations, and other medical care. So, Starfish Animal Rescue should be a priority whether you’re looking for a small dog rescue in Illinois or an adult dog rescue.

Starfish Animal Rescue Details

Address: Geneva, Illinois
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (708) 967-5554
Website: Starfish Animal Rescue

6. A Tail of 4 Paws

An excellent option for those looking for pet rescue in Illinois, A Tail of 4 Paws is a foster-based rescue that was formed in 2015. The organization aims to place neglected and homeless dogs in loving homes forever.

The dogs under the organization’s care are vet-checked, given appropriate vaccines, heart wormed checked, and microchipped. Moreover, the dogs are also spayed/neutered. You can check the available dogs on the website.

If you’re interested in adopting one of the dogs at the shelter, you will need to:

Fill out an application, and let the center know which dog you’re interested in adopting
The center will contact you to discuss the dog you’re interested in and will set up a meeting
If you finalize your decision regarding the adoption, a home visit will be set up

You can read more details about the adoption process on the website. So, if you’re looking for German Shepherd rescues in Illinois, get in touch with A tail of 4 Paws immediately.

A Tail of 4 Paws Details

Address: Illinois
Email: [email protected]
Website: A Tail of 4 Paws

More Information About German Shepherd Rescues in Illinois

When looking for German Shepherd Rescues in Illinois, you will likely come across several rescue shelters. However, it is very important to conduct your research and choose a rescue that properly looks after and cares for their animals. Remember, a healthy dog is a happy dog.

To choose a reliable rescue shelter, you should:

1. Check online reviews

Online reviews are a great source to gain insight into how organizations work. So, don’t forget to check out Google and social media reviews when searching for a German Shepherd rescue in Illinois.

2. Talk to others who may have worked or adopted from the rescue

Another excellent step would be to speak to those who have worked or adopted from a certain rescue shelter. This will also give you an insight into how animals are treated and cared for in the shelter.

3. Make sure you’re allowed to meet your dog

A reliable rescue shelter will always schedule a meeting with a dog you’re interested in beforehand to avoid adoption complications later on. So, make sure you’re allowed to meet your dog before finalizing your adoption decision.

Conclusion For The “Best German Shepherd Rescues in Illinois”

Adopting a German Shepherd dog can be an overwhelming process. However, remember that in the end, you get to bring a four-legged BFF home who will provide you with its loyalty and love for life. Where you get that best friend is of utmost importance, and since shelters everywhere are burgeoning due to pet overpopulation, we recommend that you adopt instead of buying a dog from a breeder.

Not only will you spend less money, but you will also save two canine lives; one life of the dog you are adopting and another life of the dog who will take your dog’s place in the shelter. We wish you the best of luck in adopting a German Shepherd.

For more guides similar to this list of German Shepherd rescues in Illinois, you can check out:

Before you bring home a German Shepherd companion from a rescue shelter in Illinois, you can learn more about this dog breed by watching “10 Things Only German Shepherd Dog Owners Understand” down below: