Are you searching for the best German Shepherd rescues in Illinois? If you are, 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 personalities and handsome features.
Moreover, German Shepherds are smart, intelligent, and extremely loyal dogs that make excellent family and working dogs. It’s a fact: you’ll never get bored with a German Shepherd around. However, note that German Shepherds are high-energy dogs that survive best in an active household.
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. Here are the best German Shepherd rescues in the Land of Lincoln.
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.
Find a German Shepherd Rescue Near Me in Illinois
As we always say – adopt, don’t shop! 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 home visit from a German Shepherd Rescue representative
- Applicants must 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 or neuter, age-appropriate vaccines, heartworm and 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. is an organization that allows people to find all breeds of dogs, cats and other animals loving homes where they can find the 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 the state. 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 is dedicated to helping and caring for homeless dogs in Chicago and beyond. Having saved 7,000 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. They’re a licensed nonprofit animal rescue organization located in Plainfield, Illinois. The shelter rescues sick, abused, abandoned, and neglected animals. Many of these animals face euthanasia because of overcrowding or being too sick for their owners to look after them.
After rescue, Wags 2 Wishes provides animals with a safe transition into their rescue program. You can find out more regarding the types of dogs that are up for adoption at the organization by contacting the volunteers! Once you’ve decided to adopt, 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 subject 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 the Wags 2 Wishes adoption process on their 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, then helps them find a life with security and care. The shelter 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, vet records, and fee
Starfish Animal Rescue’s adoption fee includes spay or neuter, age-appropriate vaccinations, and other medical care. So, this animal rescue should be a good option 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
- Wait for contact from the shelter to discuss the dog you’re interested in
- Once approved, participate in a home visit
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. It’s also a good idea to run the organization through a search on a site like CharityWatch.
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 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; that of the dog you are adopting but also 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:
- Best German Shepherd Rescues in Orange County
- Best German Shepherd Rescues in Wisconsin
- Best German Shepherd Rescues in New Jersey
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:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=irBvSllY10w
Dr. Sabrina Kong graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in England in 2016 and has been working at a small animal clinic in Northern California since then. She grew up in the Bay Area and got her bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She also became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner through a program at the University of Tennessee.
When she isn’t in the clinic taking care of her four-legged patients, she enjoys traveling and trying new foods with her friends and her three-legged dog, Apollo. She adopted Apollo from her clinic when he was a puppy with numerous health issues. Dr. Kong truly cares about taking care of animals.