4 Best Great Dane Rescues in Indiana! (2024)

Great Dane rescues in Indiana can pair you with your perfect pup. But before you adopt and make a lifetime commitment, be sure you read up on the breed! Do your research and meet dogs in person before you take the plunge.

The Great Dane hails from Germany and is among the largest dog breeds. They’re classified as working dogs by the American Kennel Club and they’re known to be dependable, patient, and people-oriented.

Great Danes are huge, weighing about 110 to 175 pounds depending on the gender, and stand between 28 to 32 inches tall. In short, they’re wonderful dogs but you’ll still find many in shelters that have been surrendered. They can be a lot of work, and their size makes them a poor fit for some families. For this reason, there’s a good chance you’ll find Great Dane shelters and rescues in your local area of Indiana.

Before scrolling down this list of Great Dane rescues in Indiana, you can check out these other recommendations from our team at We Love Doodles: Best Shih Tzu Rescues in Indiana and Best Boxer Rescues in Indiana.

Find a Great Dane Rescue Near Me in Indiana

Adopting dogs from shelters helps bring down the population of homeless and sheltered pets, and makes room for a new dog to take your pup’s place.  You’ll want to ensure your new pet is healthy and well looked after, free from illness. Below are some trusted and dedicated Great Dane Rescues located around your area in Indiana.

Great Dane Product Recommendations: Best Puppy Flea Shampoos and Best Ceramic Dog Bowls.

1. Great Dane Rescue

Great Dane Rescue is a non-profit group that operates in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Ontario, and Indiana. They’re volunteer-run and work to secure safe, loving futures for each of the Danes in their care. This group was established in 1993.

Dogs that come through this shelter are rescued, rehabilitated as needed, and rehomed with families like yours that are willing to make a lifetime commitment. Great Danes are medically cared for, and your pup will be vaccinated and spayed or neutered before arriving at your home.

Great Dane Rescue does not kennel their dogs or run a shelter rescue. Instead, dogs live in foster homes until they’re permanently placed. If you’d like to apply to foster a dog, please reach out to the volunteer team!

Interested future dog owners or fosters can fill out the volunteer application form Great Dane Rescue website. Your application will be reviewed and you’ll be contacted to schedule introductions once you’ve gotten preliminary approval.

Great Dane Rescue Details

• Address: Plymouth, Michigan
• Tel: (734) 454-3683
• Website: Great Dane Rescue

2. Tiny N Tall Rescue Inc.

​Tiny N Tall Rescue is a 501c3 non-profit organization established in 2017 in St. Charles, Illinois, by Melissa Young and Niccalina Santilli. The rescue program is comprised of passionate volunteers who are dedicated to providing temporary homes, medical care, and rehabilitation of small and giant breeds before rehoming.

Tiny breeds lighter than 25 pounds and huge breeds like The Great Dane are accepted into the Tiny N Tall rescue program. The rescue is foster-based as their dogs are not kenneled, nor do they run a shelter program. Also, because it’s a non-profit organization, they rely solely on donations and fundraising from members and other individuals.

Overall, the Tiny N Tall team is committed to providing Illinois and Indiana families with family-friendly, lovable dogs. Your application will be matched with the most suitable pup, and lifetime support is free!

As you wait for your perfect pal to come along, consider joining the team of volunteers. You can choose to foster animals or participate in educating the public on pet homelessness and the proper care for rescued animals.

Tiny N Tall Rescue Inc. Details

• Address: St. Charles, Illinois
• Tel: (857) 477-2391
• Email: info@tinyntallrescue.com
• Website: Tiny N Tall Rescue Inc.

3. Harlequin Haven Great Dane Rescue

Harlequin Haven Rescue is a non-profit organization in Ohio with Indiana and Northern Kentucky operations. They’re volunteer-run, and they rely on donations from community members to remain in operation. Dogs within the Harlequin program are rescued, rehabilitated, and rehomed, and efforts are made to educate the community about animal welfare, too!

All applications they receive are thoroughly screened and vetted to be sure families who adopt their dogs are ready for the commitment. An application is required, and you may be asked to participate in an interview, meet-and-greet, or home visit before you bring a puppy or adult dog home with you.

New volunteers are welcome to join the Harlequin Haven to help them have a smooth running of the rescue program and achieve their goal of helping helpless Great Danes. Harlequin also has dogs available for adoption within their program if you are interested in getting one. Prospective customers can visit the Harlequin Haven Great Dane Rescue website to learn about their adoption procedures.

Harlequin Haven Great Dane Rescue Details

• Address: 11567 St. Rt. 774 Bethel, Ohio
• Email: info@hhdane.org
• Website: Harlequin Haven Great Dane Rescue

4. Great Babies Rescue

Last on the list of the best Great Dane rescues in Indiana is the Great Babies Rescue. The Great Babies Rescue, a 501(c)(3), is a non-profit organization located in Paoli, Indiana and it’s run by volunteers. They are a small group of dedicated and passionate people committed to helping homeless and abused dogs, including the Great Dane.

Great Babies Rescue primarily runs from Terry and Bryan Holzheimer’s home in Paoli, Indiana; however, they have operations all over the United States. The team’s mission includes:

1. Educating families about all things needed to own and care for a pet.
2. Rehabilitating abused animals.
3. Placing animals in permanent homes.
4. Ensuring thatdogs are well-nourished, vet checked, and completely healed before placement.

At Great Babies Rescue, all dog breeds are included in their rescue program regardless of conditions and location around the United States. Their rescue program accommodates dogs with special needs such as injured, blind, deaf, senior, cancer, under-socialized, and aggressive dogs.

Dogs in their program come from all over the United States and are rescued from kill shelters, maltreated, strays, street abandoned, and other networks. Great Babies Rescue has adoptable dogs within its program, and those that are not adoptable are provided with a loving, comfortable shelter for the rest of their lives.

The rescue is nestled on twenty-one acres of land, with a plan to build a fully functioning dog sanctuary and rehabilitation center. Funding for Great Babies Rescue comes solely from donations and sponsors from volunteers and partners.

Donations and monthly sponsorship of $25 are used for proper nourishment of the dogs in the program, vaccinating, deworming, microchip, and vet care. Volunteers are welcome to join the group to help care for the homeless and find deserving animals a permanent home. Visit the Great Babies Rescue for more information about Great Danes.

Great Babies Rescue Details

• Address: 2586 South County Rd. 225 West Paoli, Indiana
• Tel: (812) 653-1985
• Email: greatbabiesrescue@yahoo.com
• Website: Great Babies Rescue

Frequently Asked Questions

Great Danes aren’t for everyone. It’s important that you learn as much as you can about the breed before you make a full time commitment. Do your research and gain all the knowledge you can, starting with our answers to the most frequently asked questions.

Is it hard to own a Great Dane?

Great Danes are large, smart, and sometimes mischievous. If you’re a first time pet owner, consider the fact that you may need to enlist professional help! Groomers, trainers, and your vet will all be your best friends as you and your dog grow accustomed to one another.

That said, the Great Dane is a “people person.” Whether you’re a senior or a family with small children or are a senior citizen, there’s a very high probability your Great Dane will quickly become a beloved family member.

Can Great Danes be left alone all day?

We don’t recommend that you leave your Great Dane alone for long periods of time. They tend to get both lonely and bored, and this means mischief! Your dog is smart, and he’ll begin to invent his own games if he’s on his own for an extended amount of time.

Keep your dog entertained while you’re at work using stimulating toys or even a dog walker. If you have the resources, consider enrolling your dog in a daycare program where he can socialize with new friends while you’re gone.

Are Great Danes hard to care for?

Your great Dane will live between 10 and 12 years, on average, when provided with proper nutrition and adequate exercise. The dogs will need around two hours of exercise each day, though, so make sure you’re prepared for that commitment!

Bring your dog to the vet every six months or as needed, and make sure a trip to the groomer is on the schedule, too. They’re a low-shedding breed, but you’ll need to wash your dog, brush his teeth, trim his nails, and pamper him a bit!

Conclusion For The “Best Great Dane Rescues in Indiana”

The Great Dane is a friendly dog with exceptional qualities that make them an excellent family companion. However, you’ll find some Great Danes in rescues or shelters for various reasons, such as abandonment or the death of an owner.

We’ve featured both Great Dane-specific and generally accepting shelters on our list. Do your research and trust your instincts as you decide which shelter and which dog to choose.

For more guides similar to this list of Great Dane rescues in Indiana, you can check out:

• Best Great Dane Rescues in Colorado
• Best Great Dane Rescues in California
• Best Great Dane Rescues in North Carolina

Before you adopt a Great Dane companion from a rescue shelter in Indiana, you can learn more about this dog breed by watching “10 Things Only Great Dane Dog Owners Understand” down below: