If you are looking for a German Shepherd to adopt, there is a good chance that you will find the perfect match for you in Florida.
German Shepherds are a popular breed in this state.
Rules restricting German Shepherd ownership in rental homes and condos mean that people may be even more likely to have to surrender their dogs, even if they don’t really want to.
Thankfully, there are a number of great German Shepherd rescues, helping these dogs find new homes.
1.) Big Cypress German Shepherd Rescue
Big Cypress German Shepherd Rescue strives to save as many German Shepherd as possible and to rehabilitate them not only physically but also emotionally.
The rescue was founded by Michelle Delaney.
Delaney spent 28 years as a firefighter and EMT and then began a business training, handling, and breeding German Shepherd dogs.
She has trained dogs in the extremely challenging sport of Schutzhund and has also trained dogs in search and rescue, obedience, and confirmation.
In 2015 she founded Big Cypress German Shepherd Rescue to rehabilitate German Shepherds so that they can become the loyal, loving, and noble dogs that they were born to be.
Big Cypress German Shepherd Rescue relies heavily on volunteers. They depend on fosters to provide homes for the majority of the German Shepherds in their care.
When they don’t have enough foster homes, Big Cypress German Shepherd Rescue boards dogs so that they can save more dogs than they have foster homes.
Dogs in boarding need help from groomers, walkers, and generally people to provide care and love even if they can’t provide a home.
Big Cypress German Shepherd Rescue also enlists help from photographers, with transport, in marketing, and in many other ways.
If you want to help a German Shepherd but you aren’t yet ready to commit to adoption, there are many ways to help this rescue.
If you are looking for a German Shepherd to adopt, you are very likely to find the perfect dog for you at Big Cypress German Shepherd Rescue, regardless of what you are looking for.
This rescue has entire litters of German Shepherd and German Shepherd mix puppies, plenty of adult dogs of various training levels, and seniors.
- You can view their German Shepherds available for adoption here.
You will need to travel to meet the dog you would like to adopt in Southwest Florida if you don’t live in the area.
You will also need to be 21 years of age and your current or past pets need to have been spayed or neutered, have all the required vaccinations, and be on heartworm and flea prevention.
Adoption fees vary by age, starting at $500 for puppies under nine months and going to $150 for dogs that are over eight years old.
Once you submit an application, Big Cypress German Shepherd Rescue will contact your references and conduct a home visit.
When your application is approved it will be good for a year. Because the application process can be time-consuming, it’s best to submit an application even if there is not a dog currently available that you are interested in.
You will be able to meet dogs at the training facility in Naples or at local adoption events.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: PO Box 110462 Naples FL 34108
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: saveagermanshepherd.org
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
2.) Southwest Florida German Shepherd Rescue
Southwest Florida German Shepherd Rescue has been rescuing German Shepherd dogs and mixes since 2007.
They have since saved over 1,500 purebred German Shepherds and over 15 non-purebred German Shepherds.
They take dogs from shelters and accept owner surrenders. Most of the dogs come from just south of Tampa to south of Naples.
However, they also take in some dogs from Miami. Dogs are adopted out to new families throughout the state.
If you would like to adopt a dog from Southwest Florida German Shepherd Rescue, it’s best if you have had experience with German Shepherds in the past.
Southwest Florida German Shepherd Rescue considers it to be essential that you are committed to training since training is essential for this breed.
Southwest Florida German Shepherd Rescue will ensure that your current pets have up-to-date vaccinations and have been given proper veterinary care.
You can’t adopt a German Shepherd from Southwest Florida German Shepherd Rescue if you are renting or living in a condo except under very specific circumstances.
Southwest Florida German Shepherd Rescue would like to meet the entire family and anyone that will live with the dog.
They also request that if you have other pets you bring them to meet your prospective dog.
If for some reason the adoption doesn’t work out within the first two weeks, your adoption fee will be refunded.
If you would like to surrender your dog to Southwest Florida German Shepherd Rescue, you will need to pay a fee of between $250 and $350, depending on the dog’s medical condition.
If the dog is heartworm positive when they are surrendered, you need to pay an additional $350.
A heartworm test must be provided that is paid for by the owner when the dog is surrendered.
Dogs are only taken in by Southwest Florida German Shepherd Rescue if they are found to be sociable with people and other dogs.
If you are not ready to adopt, fostering through Southwest Florida German Shepherd Rescue is a great solution.
The rescue is always looking for foster homes for their dogs, and this is a wonderful way to get acquainted with German Shepherd ownership without making a commitment.
- You can view their available German Shepherds for adoption here.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Phone: (941) 575-0243
- Website: swflgsdrescue.com
- Social Media: Facebook
3.) Shepherd Help and Rescue Effort
Shepherd Help and Rescue Effort exists to save German Shepherds in the south Florida area, primarily in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach County.
These areas have some of the highest concentrations of homeless dogs, making a rescue like this absolutely essential to save the lives of German Shepherds in need in this area.
Shepherd Help and Rescue Effort primarily rescues dogs from shelters, many of which are high kill shelters.
Many of these dogs might otherwise be euthanized. Frequently, they need medical treatment because they have heartworm disease or orthopedic issues.
Shepherd Help and Rescue Effort is run entirely by volunteers. When dogs come into the rescue, they are treated by a veterinarian, given essential vaccinations, spayed or neutered, and given whatever medical care they need.
Many of the dogs they take in have serious conditions like mange, heartworms, orthopedic issues, malnutrition, etc.
All too often, these dogs have been abused or neglected by a previous owner and require not only medical but emotional rehabilitation.
If you would like to adopt a dog from Shepherd Help and Rescue Effort you can feel confident that they will do everything they can to match you to the perfect dog for your needs.
The adoption process is designed to match potential adopters to both the requirements and temperament of rescue dogs.
Adoption coordinators understand each adoptable dog and can talk with you about your lifestyle, activity level, fears they may have and to help you find the right dog for you.
Shepherd Help and Rescue Effort often prefers to match dogs to people who have previous experience with German Shepherds or at least other large breed dogs.
However, they will consider placing a shepherd with even novice owners in some situations.
Completely fill out the application and provide references to get the application process started.
- You can view their available dogs for adoption here.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Phone: (844) 847-1250
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: shepherdhelp.org
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram
4.) Daytona Beach German Shepherd Rescue
Daytona Beach German Shepherd Rescue is a foster-based rescue organization dedicated to saving homeless German Shepherds.
The rescue was started in 2013. They operate out of Daytona Beach but also cover Titusville, Cocoa Beach, the Palm Coast, St Augustine, Jacksonville, and Orlando.
If you would like to adopt a German Shepherd from Daytona Beach German Shepherd Rescue, it’s best to submit an application even if you don’t currently see a dog that you are interested in.
It can take as much as a month from when your application is received for it to be approved and you to be considered for adopting a dog.
Typically, the rescue receives multiple applications for every dog in the rescue.
Applications are not considered on a first-come-first-serve basis, but rather, dogs are matched to the best possible home for them based on their particular needs.
Application review involves a check with your veterinarian and employer and a mandatory home visit in which all members of your family must be present.
You must own your home to adopt a German Shepherd from Daytona Beach German Shepherd Rescue.
If you want to adopt a puppy under six months of age, you must work part-time or work from home so that you will have sufficient time to care for the puppy.
Fenced yards are required and crating is highly recommended.
If you aren’t yet ready to adopt a German Shepherd, consider fostering. Daytona Beach German Shepherd Rescue relies on foster homes to provide a place for shepherds to live until they can be adopted.
Fosters are provided with everything they need to care for the dog, but they are asked to exercise, train, and generally provide rehabilitation for rescue German Shepherds.
As a foster parent, you have the first option to adopt your foster dog.
This program can be a wonderful way for you to try out several different German Shepherds before you arrive at the perfect dog for your home.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: dbgsdrescue.org
What To Expect If You Adopt A German Shepherd From A Rescue
The German Shepherd is a very special breed that requires a special kind of adopter. German Shepherds are extremely intelligent, fiercely loyal, and driven to work.
Unfortunately, some of these characteristics are why German Shepherds often end up being rehomed.
People may buy a German Shepherd puppy because they like the way the breed looks, they want a protection dog, or they are unaware of the special needs of this breed.
Faced with a powerful breed dog with high drive, who can often outsmart their person, many people end up surrendering this breed to a shelter or rescue.
German Shepherds often don’t do well in the shelter environment, which is why rescues like the ones on this list are so important for saving these dogs from euthanasia.
Most German Shepherds face a significant adjustment period when they are rehomed.
This loyal breed often experiences significant anxiety when they find themselves without the owner they have known, even if that owner didn’t necessarily provide them with the best care.
When you adopt a German Shepherd, it’s important to understand the breed characteristics that may have caused the dog to be rehomed in the first place as well as how responding to being without their family may affect this sensitive breed.
Make sure that you have the time and energy to give your rescued German Shepherd plenty of exercise, training, and structure as they adapt to their new life with you.
Try not to come to any conclusions about an individual German Shepherd within the first few weeks or even first months of having them, as it takes this breed a long time to settle into a new home and become the loyal, loving, intelligent companion they are meant to be.
Final Thoughts On German Shepherd Rescues In Florida
There are no shortages of German Shepherds to adopt in Florida.
Florida has a high rate of homeless dogs of all breeds, and homeless German Shepherds may be even more common than other breeds.
The German Shepherd is a popular breed in Florida but rules restricting this breed in rental homes and condos means that it can be hard to find somewhere to live with a German Shepherd.
Be sure you know the rules of your HOA, condo or apartment before contacting one of these rescues.
Some of the rescues listed here understand these restrictions and will make sure you have verified any rules that you need to follow.
A few of these rescues automatically won’t adopt out to those who live in an apartment or condo.
If you contact the rescues on this list, there is a very good chance that you will find the perfect German Shepherd for you.