Ohio has plenty of German Shepherds in need, although they don’t have many breeds specific German Shepherd Rescues.
The rescues on this page typically have at least a couple of German Shepherd or German Shepherd mixes available.
These dogs usually get adopted fairly quick and sometimes the rescues have a wait list of people wanting to adopt a new German Shepherd.
By keeping up with these German Shepherd rescues in Ohio, you have an excellent chance of finding the perfect German Shepherd for you.
1.) Dogs Hope German Shepherd and All Breed Rescue
Dogs Hope German Shepherd and All Breed Rescue was started in 2000 by two women who wanted to save German Shepherds and other dogs in need.
They are located near Cleveland Ohio.
Dogs Hope German Shepherd and All Breed Rescue isn’t a 501c3 charitable organization, so donations to this rescue are not tax-deductible.
However, they use the donations they do receive to spay or neuter, vaccinate, and treat dogs that are need of medical help.
Dogs receive a complete health check-up and are tested for heartworms.
If they are positive, they receive heartworm treatment.
They also receive worming meds and antibiotics as necessary.
The two founders, Deb and Jan, pay for most of the veterinary care out of their own pockets.
Dogs Hope German Shepherd and All Breed Rescue doesn’t have a physical location.
All of the dogs are either housed with the founders of the rescue or in foster homes.
This rescue can only accept dogs as long as they have foster homes for them to go to.
Dogs Hope German Shepherd and All Breed Rescue takes dogs from shelters and also takes in dogs from the public when possible.
The founders of Dogs Hope German Shepherd and All Breed Rescue have a soft spot for German Shepherds, and they have a hard time turning down German Shepherds in need.
However, they also want to rescue any dog that they can and are willing to take in different breeds if they have space.
If you would like to adopt a dog from Dogs Hope German Shepherd and All Breed Rescue, you must be at least 21 years old and thoroughly fill out the application.
The rescue will call your veterinarian and verify vaccination records for existing dogs.
They or a partner rescue will come to your home to do a home visit.
While they don’t require a fenced yard, they do ask that you provide information on how you will exercise your dog without a yard.
Dogs Hope German Shepherd and All Breed Rescue takes owner surrenders when possible.
They want to know why you need to surrender your dog and as much information about your dog as possible.
They provide lots of useful tips about providing a write-up and taking pictures.
They clarify that they are willing to take your dog even if it has not seen a vet in some time.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: dogshope.com
2.) Multiple Breed Rescue
As indicated by their name, Multiple Breed Rescue takes in all breeds, not just German Shepherds.
However, they often have German Shepherds and German Shepherd mixes at their rescue.
They take dogs throughout the state of Ohio, including dogs from high-kill shelters, county-run shelters, and other rescues.
Occasionally they take in owner-surrenders.
Because they take so many dogs that would otherwise be euthanized at shelters, Multiple Breed Rescue often has shepherd mixes.
German Shepherds tend not to do well in the shelter environment, which means they often end up on the euthanasia list and require a rescue like Multiple Breed Rescue to save them.
Multiple Breed Rescue doesn’t have a public shelter.
Rather, their dogs are primarily kept in foster homes.
This rescue is a registered non-profit 501(c) 3 that operates entirely on the efforts of volunteers and on donations from the public.
From its founding in 2006 until 2021, this rescue has saved over 3,000 animals.
They hope to rescue many more animals as time goes on.
If you are not sure whether you are ready for a German Shepherd, fostering through Multiple Breed Rescue is a great idea.
They rely on foster homes to save more dogs.
They will provide all of the supplies you need including food and medical treatment for foster dogs.
You will also get all kinds of other useful supplies like crates, collars, potty pads, blankets, toys, etc.
If you would like to adopt a dog from Multiple Breed Rescue, you need to be at least 23 years old and you will need to travel to Grafton, Ohio.
A boarding facility allows Multiple Breed Rescue to use their facility, so this is where you would go to adopt a dog.
Dogs are housed throughout Ohio, so you will need to know which dog you would like to meet ahead of time.
Adoption events are conducted throughout the year and are a good opportunity to meet more than one dog at a time.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: mbrohio.com
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
3.) FREEdom Tails Ohio Animal Rescue
FREEdom Tails Ohio Animal Rescue saves a wide variety of breeds, not just German Shepherds.
They specialize in rescuing and rehabilitating breeding dogs.
German Shepherds are among the breeds that are frequently bred, mistreated, and discarded.
There is a very good chance that FREEdom Tails Ohio Animal Rescue will have German Shepherds at any given time.
This rescue is a registered 501(c)(3) animal rescue.
They don’t have a physical shelter but are completely foster-based.
They have fosters in Columbus and the surrounding suburbs as well as in Canton and Bryan.
If you would like to adopt a dog from FREEdom Tails Ohio Animal Rescue, it is a very good idea to follow them on social media as well as looking through the adoptable pets gallery.
Animals sometimes go onto social media but may not make it onto the website.
It is not a bad idea to fill out the application as soon as you see a dog that you’d like to adopt.
It can take as many as 7 to 10 days for FREEdom Tails Ohio Animal Rescue to process your application and get back to you, by which time a dog you want to adopt may already have been adopted.
Therefore, you want to be among the first to submit an application.
You will need to have chosen a dog to adopt before filling out the application since they don’t pre-approve general applications.
Once your application is approved, you will have the opportunity to do a meet and greet with the dog you’d like to adopt.
If you want to support FREEdom Tails Ohio Animal Rescue but can’t foster, there are lots of ways to help.
You can purchase something for the rescue from their Amazon wishlist, make a donation, and use reward-based programs on social media that contribute to the rescue.
There are also events held periodically, such as “Pictures With Your Pup” events with proceeds going to the rescue.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: freedomtailsohio.com
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram
4.) Purebred Rescue Organization of Ohio (New Albany, OH)
Purebred Rescue Organization of Ohio rescues lots of purebred dogs, not just German Shepherds, but there is a very good chance that you will find a German Shepherd at this rescue.
The rescue originally started primarily with puppy mill releases and owner surrenders.
While they also take dogs from shelters, many of their dogs are still from owners and puppy mills.
German Shepherds are some of the dogs most likely to be bought and then later surrendered.
There are a number of reasons for this, including the German Shepherds’ size, shedding level, high drive, and behaviors that many people find difficult, such as protectiveness.
Therefore, there is a very good chance that you will find a German Shepherd at this rescue at any given time.
All of the dogs with Purebred Rescue Organization of Ohio receive standard vetting, are spayed or neutered, tested for heartworms, vaccinated, and microchipped.
They also receive whatever kind of behavioral help they need before they will be ready for adoption.
Adoption fees vary from $250 to $350 depending on the age of the dog.
Purebred Rescue Organization of Ohio hosts a prison-trained dog program, which is a wonderful program in which trainers work with dogs to make them more adoptable.
If you adopt a dog from this program, the fee is $350, but you will also be able to have an hour session with a trainer so that you will receive the full benefits of training.
There is a very good chance that if you want to adopt a German Shepherd from this rescue, they may have gone through this training program.
If you want to adopt a dog from Purebred Rescue Organization of Ohio, you can expect that reference checks will be made with your veterinarian to make sure that your current pets are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and on heartworm preventative.
If you rent, they will also discuss you getting a pet with your landlord to make sure you are allowed to have one.
It is a good idea to fill out an application whether you see a dog you want or not, since applications can be pre-approved.
Purebred Rescue Organization of Ohio will then help you find the perfect dog for your family.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: PO Box 545 New Albany, OH 43054
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: prodogsohio.org
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram
About Adopting German Shepherds
Adopting a German Shepherd comes with special challenges that are important to consider.
This is one of the breeds most in need of rescue, for a number of reasons.
German Shepherds can be seen as a status symbol and adopted because someone thinks that they are cool or wants a guard dog.
The adopter may not be fully aware of what it will take to care for this unique breed.
German Shepherds are big dogs, they shed, and they have a lot of drive.
Many German Shepherds can not be around smaller pets or livestock because of their high prey drive and herding instincts.
If you want to adopt a German Shepherd, it’s important that you’re aware of these unique characteristics in the breed that may have caused a dog to be put up for adoption in the first place.
Furthermore, it’s important to be aware that German Shepherds often have a hard time transitioning to a new owner.
These dogs are extremely loyal and often protective.
They are not a breed that would typically be described as happy-go-lucky or easy going.
Many German Shepherds take time to adjust, but once they do, you can be confident that you will have an absolutely wonderful, loyal, and devoted pet.
Final Thoughts On Adopting From German Shepherd Rescues In Ohio
It may take you a little bit of time to find a German Shepherd in Ohio that is up for adoption, but if you keep up with the rescues on this page, there is a very good chance that you will find a wonderful German Shepherd in need.
Be patient and check back regularly to give yourself the best chance of success.
Volunteering or fostering with rescue organizations is also a great way to practice having a dog of your own and also be aware of new dogs as they come in.