If you’re trying to find German Shepherd rescues in Virginia, then we’d like to take a moment and thank you for trying to provide a dog with a loving home. With that aside, let’s go over some important information about this dog. German Shepherd dogs are loving, loyal, and excellent guard dogs for many families. Known for their keen sense of smell and luxurious coats, they’re big dogs with a lot of energy to play. This blog discusses the top five rescue shelters in Virginia, supporting them and adopting the available German Shepherds needing good homes.
All of the Shepherd rescues on this list serve the entire state of Virginia, although some are located in nearby states. The rescues on our list also offer fostering, spaying, neutering, and an array of rehabilitative services for their adoptees. Do you want to connect with the Virginia German Shepherd community? It’s easier than ever to find and support these local community-based and often non-profit organizations. Let’s get started with the top German Shepherd rescues in our state.
More shelters in Virginia: Best Golden Retriever Rescues in Virginia and Schnoodle Rescues For Adoption.
German Shepherd Puppies For Sale in Virginia
Many German Shepherds enjoy a long career in the police force. Afterward, they may need a new retirement home. Many of the rescue shelters listed below focus primarily on older dogs needing good homes. Whether you’re looking for a puppy or adult pet family member, this article has everything you need to know to adopt. In Virginia, residents have the opportunity to support numerous shelters in the state dedicated to German Shepherds. In the Carolinas, there are even more shelters offering vaccinations, adoptions, and other services for adoptable pets. If you’ve ever had a German Shepherd, you know how much love they have to give and how fun they are. Please keep reading for not only a top list of these rescues in Virginia but also a whole list of ways you can support them, including remotely.
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1. Virginia German Shepherd Rescue, Inc.
First on the German Shepherd breeders in Virginia is “Virginia German Shepherd Rescue, Inc.” Virginia German Shepherd Rescue, Inc. has found homes for thousands of these pets since 2001. According to their website, most of these dogs are adopted in and around the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. They offer fostering programs, rehabilitation, and rehoming for these Shepherd dogs. Adapting to the new normal, they now provide virtual home studies to ensure good homes for the German Shepherds.
Their current biggest need is for foster families, especially for older dogs needing new homes later in life. This organization has an excellent website with many photographs of the animals and services available to community members. Their list of available dogs includes many dogs that display the wonderful characteristics of loyalty and beauty, so the breed is known for—thinking of adopting a German Shepherd? This Central Virginia rescue shelter is an excellent choice to add to your pet family.
Virginia German Shepherd Rescue, Inc. Details
- Address: P.O. Box 733, Centreville, Virginia 20122
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (703) 435-2840
- Website: Virginia German Shepherd Rescue
2. Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue
As one of Virginia’s primary German Shepherd rescue shelters, they’ve adopted over 1500 dogs in a little over two years. After starting in 2017, founders Jennifer and Kaitlin worked diligently on this non-profit rescue focused on their beloved breed. Jennifer, one of the co-founders, states on their website that she fell in love with German Shepherds after volunteering at a local shelter and meeting a 1-year-old German puppy.
Inseparable, she eventually started working professionally in this field to help more dogs that are surrendered for one reason or another. One unique feature about this shelter is that they have a special section just for special needs dogs. Some are in wheelchairs, while others have less noticeable differences or challenges. These special dogs make ideal pets for the true lovers of this breed when given the proper care and commitment.
Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue Details
- Address: PO Box 764, Stephens City, Virginia 22655
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue
3. Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue
The Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue, located very close to Virginia in Maryland, is volunteer-based and serves the Mid-Atlantic area as a whole. They not only adopt out dogs that need good homes, but they encourage responsible spaying and neutering, as well as providing a loving and caring home in every way. This rescue shelter’s website offers an entire section for criteria to consider when choosing a pet trainer for your German Shepherd. Their website goes above and beyond with information helpful to pet owners and prospective parents. As a non-profit charity, the Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue encourages tax-deductible donations from community members who wish to support them. Since 1999, they’ve successfully adopted over 4,000 German Shepherds and mixes to loving homes.
Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue Details
- Address: PO Box 353, Mount Airy, Maryland, 21771
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (301) 531-4477
- Website: Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue
4. Southeast German Shepherd Rescue
The Southeast German Shepherd Rescue is located in a nearby state but proudly works with residents across the Mid-Atlantic state of Virginia. What makes Southeast German Shepherd Rescue special is their dedication to dogs with medical issues and, especially, amputees who need special apparatus to walk. Their Chance Medical Fund and Phoenix Dog Program offer these services to mixed and full-bred German Shepherd dogs in the community.
According to their website, they frequently rescue German Shepherds that are “displaced, neglected or unwanted GSDs from high kill shelters and unfit homes.” This philosophy carries over to how they treat their animals, always with utmost love, care, and respect. Adoption fees, including spaying and neutering, typically start at around $300 for an adult dog. They limit their suitable homes to a smaller United States region to ensure a personal connection with each new pet owner.
Southeast German Shepherd Rescue Details
- Address: PO Box 208, Mooresville, North Carolina, 28115
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Southeast German Shepherd Rescue
5. German Shepherd Rescue & Adoptions
Last on the list of the best German Shepherd rescues in Virginia is “German Shepherd Rescues & Adoptions.” This rescue shelter for German Shepherd dogs started in 1992, with almost 30 years of experience in the Mid-Atlantic area. Also a non-profit organization, it’s all-volunteer and does many of its screenings remotely. GSRA is also committed to helping current owners learn the skills they need to care for the dog already in their care effectively.
This commitment to helping owners is part of why the Grey Muzzle Organization has given them their stamp of approval. The German Shepherd Rescue & Adoptions rescuing services has fully adapted to the new way the world works. Offering all virtual home studies, they’re able to operate at a reduced capacity while keeping everyone safe. Some of the dogs needing homes currently including an adult male, senior male, young female, and young male. All are highlighted on their website’s front page. You can visit their website to learn more.
German Shepherd Rescue & Adoptions Details
- Address: 1821 Hillandale Road, Suite 1B #326, Durham, NC 27705
- Email: Contact Page
- Website: German Shepherd Rescue & Adoption
Why Are Dog Shelters Needed?
One of the biggest reasons German Shepherds need new homes is because they’re often considered a working breed. They spend their prime active years behind the badge and then need a loving home to live out the rest of their dog lives. German Shepherds leaving the police department often need special homes to rehabilitate while adjusting to a new life. Even though taking care of a retired dog can be challenging, it’s also rewarding and neat to have a former working dog as your pet. Other reasons for German Shepherds entering into shelters is that their owners can’t take care of them any longer or something happened to their owners.
Many dogs need fostering badly to find out more about their personalities while waiting for the right forever home to come along. If you’re a German Shepherd lover, then you know they can at times be energetic and jumpy. They’re not ideal for specific age groups, including very young children. The addition of a new child to a family could be problematic. Some families can’t afford to have a pet anymore, or they move. Although most Shepherds are lucky enough to find forever homes right away, a small portion ends up in rescue shelters in Virginia. Due to their shedding and loud barking, some pet owners find that they must surrender their pets to a humane rescue group like those listed above.
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Conclusion For The “Best German Shepherd Rescues in Virginia”
German Shepherds have lots of energy and love to play. They’re also good guard dogs, making them one of the most popular dog breeds. Some dogs retire from the police force and need good homes, while others require special care for their needs and health challenges. Whether you’re interested in fostering, adopting, or even volunteering at one of these rescue shelters, we thank you. It takes a village, and rescue shelters depend on community members to help out in various ways. Rescuing a German Shepherd is the ultimate way to support this dog breed. If you have a large yard for the dog to play around in, then your home is well-suited for this breed. Older Shepherds have less energy but still love to walk or run with their owners late in life.
For more German Shepherd guides from WeLoveDoodles, check out:
- How Much is a German Shepherd?
- Best German Shepherd Rescues in California
- Best Shock Collar For a German Shepherd
Before adopting a German Shepherd in Virginia, watch “5 Things To Know Before Getting a German Shepherd” from Lucy Lane the Queen of Balmain, down below:
Andy is a full-time animal rescuer and owner of a toy doodle. When he’s not saving dogs, Andy is one of our core writers and editors. He has been writing about dogs for over a decade. Andy joined our team because he believes that words are powerful tools that can change a dog’s life for the better.
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