If you would like to adopt a German Shepherd in Virginia, you are in luck.
There are several breed-specific rescues in this state with lots of German Shepherds to choose from.
Here are some of the best German Shepherd rescues in Virginia, among which you are very likely to find the perfect dog for you.
1.) Virginia German Shepherd Rescue (Centreville, VA)
Virginia German Shepherd Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is dedicated to saving German Shepherd dogs, mixes, and occasionally other breeds.
They adopt dogs out throughout Virginia and the Metropolitan Washington DC area.
Virginia German Shepherd Rescue takes in dogs from shelters, accepts owner surrenders, and rehabilitates dogs that have been abused or neglected.
Since the rescue began in 2001, they have saved over 3,000 dogs.
Virginia German Shepherd Rescue is a foster-based organization.
While dogs are with them, they stay in foster homes where they are carefully evaluated.
If you are on the fence about adopting a powerful dog like a German Shepherd, you will be glad to know that you can gain a lot of information about these dogs from their time in foster homes.
All of the dogs Virginia German Shepherd Rescue takes in are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and get vaccinations.
Any medical or behavioral needs are attended to while the dog is with the foster family before the dog is placed in a forever home.
If you are not sure whether you are ready to adopt a German Shepherd, fostering for Virginia German Shepherd Rescue is a great way to try out German Shepherd ownership in a non-committal way.
You can even keep fostering German Shepherds until you find the individual who is right for your family.
Virginia German Shepherd Rescue carefully screens potential adopters to make sure they are a good fit for German Shepherd ownership.
The rescue gets to know exactly what a potential adopter needs in a dog and what they are willing to offer so that they can choose the right dog for each home.
They strive to match the family to a dog in regard to energy level, tolerance for children and other dogs that may be in the family.
If you are interested in adopting a dog from Virginia German Shepherd Rescue, fill out an application and include the non-refundable application fee.
You can view their available German Shepherds for adoption here.
When your application is received, it will be carefully reviewed by the volunteers at the rescue.
The references you provide will be contacted. If you rent, your landlord will also be contacted.
Next, a volunteer will conduct a home visit to make sure that your home is a good fit for a German Shepherd.
Finally, the application will be approved and Virginia German Shepherd Rescue will begin the process of matching you to the perfect German Shepherd for your family.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: PO Box 733 Centreville, VA 20122-0733
- Phone: (703) 435-2840
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: shepherdrescue.org
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
2.) Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue
Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue operates in MD, DC, VA, PA & DE.
They have been rescuing German Shepherds for over two decades. In that time, they have rescued over 4,200 dogs.
Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue takes in dogs from shelters, accepts owner surrenders, and rescues dogs that are strays, neglected, or abused.
They are dedicated not only to saving German Shepherds in need, but also to providing community outreach events to encourage pet population control and encourage responsible ownership.
All of the dogs they accept and outcomes are published for every year of their operation so that you can understand exactly how they operate.
These numbers include information like where the dogs came from, whether they were strays or came from shelters, owner surrenders, or transferred from other rescues.
It also indicates what outcomes were like – whether dogs were adopted, returned back to their owners, transferred, or euthanized.
If you would like to adopt a dog from Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue, you can learn a lot of information and see many pictures of all of the dogs available on their website.
You can see information about every dog, whether they are good with children, other dogs, or cats.
You can also find out information on whether the dog is trained, housebroken, etc.
The biographies are updated as more information is learned about each dog in the foster home.
You can adopt from Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue if you live anywhere in the Mid-Atlantic area.
However, there needs to be a volunteer within driving distance of your home in order for Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue to adopt a dog to you.
It’s best to email the rescue to make sure that you are within a range that they can adopt to before you send in your application with the non-refundable application fee.
Part of the adoption process is a home visit, so volunteers need to be within a reasonable range of your home.
It’s best to fill out an application even if you don’t see a particular dog you would like to adopt.
Dogs are often adopted very quickly and they are never held for any applicant. Having an approved application on file is the best way to be matched to a dog when they come in.
If you are not sure whether you are ready to commit to German Shepherd ownership for good, fostering is a wonderful solution.
Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue provides great support to their foster homes.
This is a wonderful way to get acquainted with German Shepherd ownership and meet a couple of German Shepherds before you commit.
Rescue and Adoption Details
3.) Southeast German Shepherd Rescue
Southeast German Shepherd Rescue has been saving German Shepherds in need, including German Shepherds with serious medical issues, since 2010.
They take in strays, dogs that end up at shelters, and owner surrenders.
While they operate primarily in Virginia and North Carolina, Southeast German Shepherd Rescue rescues dogs throughout the southeast when possible.
Southeast German Shepherd Rescue has a unique program known as the Phoenix Dog Program, which helps dogs with serious medical conditions.
This program has saved German Shepherds that have birth defects, developmental problems, degenerative disorders, amputations, etc.
Southeast German Shepherd Rescue provides whatever medical care these special dogs need and finds the perfect home for them, regardless of how long it may take or how much it might cost.
Southeast German Shepherd Rescue relies on foster homes to house dogs until they can be made available for adoption.
Without foster homes to open their homes and hearts to dogs in need, Southeast German Shepherd Rescue would not be able to rescue the German Shepherds that they do.
If you are not sure whether you are ready to own a German Shepherd or you can’t commit full-time, fostering is a wonderful solution.
While foster families can’t adopt the first dog that they foster in order to avoid having people become fosters as a shortcut to adoption, you are able to adopt subsequent dogs.
Fostering can be a great way to get to know a lot of dogs before you decide on the right one for you.
Each dog stays at the rescue for at least two weeks, and some dogs are fostered for months before they can be adopted.
Southeast German Shepherd Rescue is very particular about the homes that their dogs go to.
You will submit an application and a $30 fee.
Applications are kept on file for whatever dogs become available.
It’s a very good idea to send in an application if you have any interest in adopting a dog from Southeast German Shepherd Rescue, since it can take up to 2 months for applications to be approved.
- View their available German Shepherds for adoption here.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: southeastgermanshepherdrescue.com
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram
4.) Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue
Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue operates out of the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, but they strive to rescue German Shepherds from all over the country, particularly in heavily populated areas.
They often take dogs from places with high concentrations where euthanasia is common, and transport them to the East Coast where they are more likely to find adoptive homes.
While most of the dogs that they rescue are German Shepherds, Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue also takes in other breeds on occasion.
Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue has an extensive process for potential adopters to ensure that each of their dogs goes to the best possible home.
They are willing to adopt dogs out of state, but do not offer delivery services.
You will need to travel to the dog’s foster home or an arranged meeting location to meet the dog.
Adoption fees vary from $250 to $325. You will submit an application and a $20 non-refundable application fee.
Next, a representative from Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue will call you and conduct an interview.
They will then call your references, including your veterinarian and landlord.
If all of this is approved, a home visit will be conducted by a volunteer.
If your application is approved, it is good for two years.
Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue is always seeking out fosters. They don’t have a facility to kennel dogs, so they need foster homes in order to rescue dogs.
They are willing to board dogs in an emergency, but they would much rather spend money on rescuing more dogs and providing great care instead of spending it on boarding.
Furthermore, they know that German Shepherds tend not to do very well in the shelter environment and that the best place for a German Shepherd is in a home where the foster can get to know the dog.
Fostering is a great way to help you decide whether you are ready to commit to German Shepherd ownership and get to know some great dogs, one of which may become your pet forever.
- View their available German Shepherds for adoption here.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: PO Box 764 Stephens City, VA 22655
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: shenandoahrescue.org
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
5.) German Shepherd Rescue & Adoption
German Shepherd Rescue & Adoption is based in North Carolina, but they support both Virginia and the Carolinas.
They adopt dogs to families in the Carolinas and Virginia.
This rescue has been in existence since 1992. They take mostly German Shepherds, but sometimes take in other breeds as well.
Most of the dogs they rescue are from shelters, but they also take owner surrenders.
German Shepherd Rescue & Adoption seeks to educate the public about how important it is to spay and neuter dogs to reduce pet overpopulation.
Every dog that is taken in by German Shepherd Rescue & Adoption receives medical care from a veterinarian, including a heartworm test, vaccinations, and spay and neuter.
Many of the German Shepherds that they rescue are heartworm positive and receive treatment before being adopted out.
German Shepherd Rescue & Adoption has many German Shepherds and mixes available at any given time, so there is a very good chance that you will find the perfect dog for you.
They have dogs of all ages, and often have puppies.
- View their current list of available dogs for adoption here.
German Shepherd Rescue & Adoption offers a unique program in their courtesy listings.
Courtesy listings are dogs who are still with their families but need to be rehomed.
You can see many more available dogs through their courtesy listings page.
These dogs have not been screened and vetted by the rescue. You will need to talk to the home before you adopt.
However, you can avoid some adoption fees and you will learn a lot more about the dog by adopting them directly from their owner.
Furthermore, adopting directly from the owner spares a German Shepherd from a lot of the stress of being rehomed.
This is a very important advantage for a sensitive breed like the German Shepherd that may not do well with being bounced from home to home.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: gsdrescue.org
- Social Media: Facebook
Finding A German Shepherd Rescue In Virginia To Adopt From
German Shepherds are one of the most beloved of all breeds, and one of the most recognizable.
Even people who don’t know much about dogs likely will recognize a German Shepherd when they see one.
These dogs are known to be some of the best workers, able to do everything from leading the blind, to seeking out lost children, to taking down bad guys for the military or police.
Of course, they can also do what they were bred to do – herd.
If you want a German Shepherd in your life, it’s important to be prepared to give them a job to do.
Agility, advanced obedience training, nose work, and more are great options.
Keep in mind that German Shepherd dogs tend to have a prey drive, which can sometimes make them incompatible with cats and small pets.
Because they also have herding instincts, they may chase livestock or try to herd other pets or children.
When rescuing a German Shepherd, it’s important to note that these dogs often experience a lot of stress during the rehoming process.
German Shepherds are extremely loyal, intelligent, and people-centered dogs.
They are often protective of their families and property.
All of these characteristics can make it very difficult for German Shepherds who have been abandoned to adjust to a new home.
Make sure that you go slowly and give your German Shepherd plenty of structure and love as they adapt to your home.
Final Thoughts On Adopting From German Shepherd Rescues In Virginia
Virginia is a wonderful place to adopt a German Shepherd.
There are several breed-specific rescues in this area, so there is an excellent chance that you will find the perfect German Shepherd for you at one of these great rescues.
Keep in mind that it’s a good idea to fill out an application even if you don’t see a dog you would like to adopt currently at the rescue.
Most of these rescues take some time to approve your application, so having an application on file is the best way to take home a dog you fall in love with once it becomes available.
Have an open mind and take your time and you are sure to find the perfect German Shepherd for you in Virginia.