German Shepherds are some of the most loyal and endearing dogs imaginable, but sometimes, life intrudes, and these amazing animals end up in German Shepherd rescues in Ohio. Likewise, those looking for a German Shepherd adoption in Ohio seek a reputable rescue to adopt their next best friend. That is the purpose of this guide.
This guide seeks to identify ethical German Shepherd rescues in Ohio that emphasize getting their animals ready for adoption from the moment they arrive. It also strives to make it easy for those who want to be German Shepherd caretakers to find and adopt the perfect animal for their needs and desires.
If you are looking for the best German Shepherd rescue in Ohio, here are a few that stand out.
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Contents
Weeping Willow German Shepherd Dog Sanctuary
While many dog rescue organizations serve multiple breeds, the Weeping Willow German Shepherd Dog Sanctuary caters German Shepherd adoption in Ohio. The Sanctuary is a no-kill refuge for dogs that owners can no longer care for, and it provides a safe, loving, and comforting haven for German Shepherds coming from the following circumstances:
- Kill shelters
- Abuse scenarios
- Owners have passed away
- Owners can no longer care for them
- Homeless dogs
Weeping Willow German Shepherd Sanctuary sits on two acres of access-controlled property, which gives the dogs a large area to roam. The Sanctuary is a permanent home for German Shepherds who cannot find new homes. Each dog receives medical care (paid for by donations,) temperament testing, and training as needed.
The Sanctuary hosts numerous public events annually, including public education forums and adoption events. Donation-driven, Weeping Willow encourages both monetary and volunteer contributions. As an organization, the Weeping Willow is the premier German Shepherd rescue destination throughout Ohio and surrounding states.
- Email: On their Website, under “Contact Us”
- Phone Number: (330) 898-0090
- Website: Weeping Willow German Shepherd Dog Sanctuary
- Location: 2469 Hewitt Gifford Road, Lordstown, OH 44481
- Social Media: Facebook
Dogs Unlimited Rescue
Dogs Unlimited takes in abused and neglected dogs, including German Shepherds. They provide care and placement for rescue dogs from poorly run kennels, kill shelters, puppy pounds and mills, abusive situations, and circumstances where the owner can no longer care for their animals.
As a 501(c)(3) organization, Dogs Unlimited is non-profit and almost entirely volunteer-managed. A core adoption team coordinates with the volunteers to help care for and place animals with the right “forever home.”
The care program includes assessing the dogs the rescue takes in and matching them to prospective adoptive caretakers based on the caretaker’s home, lifestyle and personalities, and the dog’s needs and personality.
An Intensive Screening Process
The screening process for adopting from Dogs Unlimited is comprehensive. It includes, but is not limited to:
- Background check
- Reference check
- Formal interview
- Home inspection
The screening process helps ensure that the animal will be well cared for and is not oriented towards ruling out anyone or accepting only certain caretaker profiles. Along the same lines, animals with behavioral issues are put through training before they are listed as ready to adopt.
Both processes ensure that adoptive caretakers have the best chance of success possible.
For over seven years, Dogs Unlimited Rescue has saved almost 1,000 animals. Many of these dogs had special or extreme needs. Dogs Unlimited was one of the few places that could place what many prospective owners viewed as problematic pets.
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone Number: (216) 408-4452
- Website: Dogs Unlimited Rescue
- Location: 33095 Bainbridge Rd., Solon, OH 44139
- Social Media: Facebook
Cincinnati Area German Shepherd Rescue
A case study in “lean” management, the Cincinnati Area German Shepherd Rescue is managed by its owner and some volunteers and operates solely via Facebook, petfinder.com, and email. In addition to placing well-adjusted German Shepherd dogs, the rescue refers dogs with special needs or behavioral issues to other rescue organizations that can address their needs.
To secure an adoption, interested pet caretakers must provide a veterinarian reference, participate in a home visit and sit for an interview. Dogs awaiting adoption are put into foster care until a loving family is ready to adopt them. The Cincinnati Area German Shepherd Rescue has no physical facilities, property, or equipment.
Because of the high volume of German Shepherds in need of homes, the Cincinnati Area German Shepherd Rescue does not take surrendered animals. They will, however, put surrender dogs on their website to help those looking for a German Shepherd more easily identify a dog they might be interested in.
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone Number: N/A
- Website: N/A
- Location: No Physical Location
- Social Media: Facebook, Petfinder
Berea Animal Rescue Fund
Berea Animal Rescue Friends is an animal shelter that takes in stray and homeless companion animals, including German Shepherds. A 501(c)(3) organization, Berea has more than 300 volunteers providing year-round care for the animals they take in. Additionally, the organization is entirely funded by contributions from supporters and adoption and fundraising revenue.
When an animal is taken in, the Berea Animal Rescue Fund provides lodging, medical care, spay and neutering services, and training to help prepare an animal for adoption. Animals receive a basic vaccination program (DHLPP, Bordetella, Rabies,) heartworm pills, flea treatment, deworming, and a microchip.
The facility in Columbia Station is fully staffed, and its employees are trained to handle the unique needs of animals from highly stressful environments. Berea Animal Rescue Fund requires applicants to verify their identity and residence and pay a fee as part of the dog adoption process.
- Email: General Inquiries arfinfomanagement@hakesbrucegmail-com, Adoption inquiries [email protected]
- Phone Number: (440) 234-2034
- Website: bereaanimalrescue.com
- Location: 10015 E River Rd, Columbia Station, OH 44028
- Social Media: Facebook
PAWS Adoption Center
Concluding our list of the best German Shepherd Rescues in Ohio As a no-kill shelter, the PAWS Adoption Center in Monroe aims to reduce homeless pets by ensuring a safe place for them to reside until they are adopted. Additionally, PAWS staff emphasize pet ownership training in the hopes of reducing the chances of a pet owner not being able to care for the animal they adopt.
Through its existence, the PAWS Adoption Center has helped save over 13,000 pets. It has served the community since 1980. The adoption center facility is a fully equipped kennel that received the Gold Level of Transparency for GuideStar in 2018. 90% of the animals it cares for come from Kentucky, and the remaining 5% are animal surrenders.
Animals placed for adoption receive medical care, including spaying and neutering. Its screening process is standard for animal adoptions. Because it takes in all breeds of dogs, it may or may not have a German Shepherd available. Potential adoptive caretakers that want any specific breed are encouraged to visit the PAWS website often.
- Email: Via a form on the PAWS website, [email protected]
- Phone Number: (513) 539-7297
- Website: www.pawsadoptioncenter.org
- Location: 6302 Crossings Blvd, Monroe, OH 45050
- Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
Adopting a German Shepherd
German Shepherd dogs pose a unique challenge to their new owners. If you are considering adopting a German Shepherd dog, you must consider those challenges before making the commitment to adopt.
Size
German Shepherds are legitimately big dogs. They are stronger than many, and a fully grown female will weigh over 60 pounds (males are heavier.) Additionally, a fully grown German Shepherd female will top out at about 2 feet high, while a male will exceed 2 feet on average.
You will want to take the dog’s size as an adult into consideration before committing to taking a German Shepherd in.
Cost
The average adoption cost for a German Shepherd is between $200 and $400. Often, shelters will have a range of costs based on the dog’s age. Older German Shepherds will cost less than puppies. Generally, the adoption fee covers basic medical expenses associated with getting the animal ready for adoption.
After you adopt, the average monthly cost to feed and care for your German Shepherd will run between $100 to $200. Putting the animal up in a kennel, vet visits, and any toys you purchase for your pet will add to the average cost. On average, a German Shepherd will live between 9 to 11 years.
That means to provide for basic costs, your German Shepherd will run you about $13,000 for a dog that lives to be 11. In addition to the basic costs, boarding the animal or paying for a dog walker and vet visits will add several thousand to the lifetime cost of your pet.
Energy Levels
Part of the reason German Shepherds are not ideal for smaller apartments is their size. In addition, a German Shepherd’s energy level makes that size seem gargantuan. German Shepherds need to be walked and played with at least a couple of times a day. Puppies and younger animals may need significantly more walking and playing time than older adults.
Conclusion For “The Best German Shepherd Rescues in Ohio”
Any of the organizations on this list will provide you with a quality German Shepherd that is ready to be your lifelong pet. The keys to successful ownership are to work with a reputable German Shepherd rescue in Ohio to find the right dog, understand what ownership means, and provide your pet with the love and care it deserves.