Top 3 German Shepherd Rescues in Minnesota: Our Favorites

Are you looking for an adoptable German Shepherd at a rescue in Minnesota? 

According to the Dog Rescue Minnesota organization, two breed-specific GSD rescues exist in the North Star State. However, there are other all-breed rescues that rescue German Shepherds, like number 3 on our list.

Here are the German Shepherd rescues in Minnesota: 

• Saving Shepherds of Minnesota
• FaerieLand Rescue
• Secondhand Hounds

You’ll find details about these rescues in the rest of the article. We made sure that the specifics provide a reliable starting point for your German Shepherd search. Let’s get to it!

German Shepherd Rescues in Minnesota

Whether all-breed or breed-specific, German Shepherd rescues in Minnesota have one goal: to save dogs without the care and loving warmth of a home, rehabilitate them, and find them a forever home. 

As described below, the strategies and resources for fulfilling this goal can vary from Rescue to Rescue.

1. Saving Shepherds of Minnesota

Having a good understanding of a breed is important in creating a lasting dog-owner relationship. When this is not the case, dog owners can misinterpret their furry friend’s behavior to the point of surrendering the pet.

Saving Shepherds of Minnesota believes insufficient knowledge about German Shepherds is a core reason the dogs end up in rescues. 

Luckily, all is not lost for these dogs, and each is worth saving.

Every German Shepherd is Worth Saving

Saving Shepherds of Minnesota began in 2015. The Rescue’s mission is to save and rehome purebred and German Shepherd mixes into loving homes. 

The Rescue is able to run its GSD rescue activities thanks to:

• The generous fosters who offer temporary shelter to the dogs in their homes.
• The numerous volunteers who freely give their time and services to care for the dogs and follow the rescue, foster, and adoption process.  
• Thousands of donors who help cater to the nutritional, care, and vet needs of these dogs.

All three categories are motivated by the Rescue’s conviction that every GSD is a dog worth saving.

Supporting the Saving Shepherds Rescue’s Mission 

Since the Rescue relies solely on the generosity of donors, you can support a GSD by making a tax-deductible donation.

If you prefer a more hands-on involvement, you can apply to be a volunteer or foster or adopt a German Shepherd to give the dog a forever home. 

To adopt, express your interest by filling out an adoption form. You must meet the following requirements to be eligible for adoption:

• You should be 18 years and above.
• You should not be living in an apartment or condo.
• You should not use an invisible fence.
• Any current pets in your home should be up-to-date with vaccines and other recommended med care.
• You should not own another female dog if you are adopting a female GSD. 
• You should be ready to enroll for a basic obedience course once you complete the adoption process.

The adoption fee is $300-$500, depending on the GSD’s age.

If you wish to learn more about Saving Shepherds of Minnesota, you can visit the Rescue’s website, https://www.savingshepherdsofmn.org.

You could also post mail to inquiries to 2000 County Rd B2 #13735 Roseville, MN 55113, or email [email protected].

2. FaerieLand Rescue

FaerieLand Rescue in Anoka, Minnesota, has a history of saving GSDs and Welsh Corgis dating back to 2009. However, the Rescue was registered as a charitable 501(c)(3) organization in 2016. 

From Breeding and Fostering to Rescuing GSDs

The founder of FaerieLand, Kathy DuVall, began her work with German Shepherds by breeding a healthy line of purebred GSDs. She also worked as a foster parent for 9 years in other rescues before deciding to start FaerieLand Rescue. 

Along the way, she included Welsh Corgis after noticing how similar the two breeds were in temperament, despite their different sizes. Today, the Rescue also saves mixes from both breeds.

The Rescue’s core mission is to save, care, rehabilitate, and rehome GSDs and Corgis rescued from shelters or surrendered by owners who can no longer care for them.

Supporting FaerieLand Rescue

If you desire to be part of FaerieLand’s GSD rescue mission, you can apply to foster or volunteer. You can also make monetary donations to help with nutrition, care, and vet expenses.

Better still, you can adopt and give a needy German Shepherd a forever home. The Adoption process commences with completing an adoption form online.

Once your application is approved, you will pay a 25$ non-refundable processing fee. You’ll then be scheduled for a meet-and-greet before finalizing the adoption. 

The Rescue prefers adopters who:

• Have experience with GSDs.
• Own their home.
• Have a fenced yard.
• Are 21 years and above.
• Can provide vet and personal references as part of a background check.

If FaerieLand sounds like your go-to German Shepherd rescue in Minnesota, visit their website, https://faerielandrescue.org, or email them at [email protected] for additional info.

If you prefer social media, you can follow and chat with them on Facebook.

3. Secondhand Hounds

Secondhand Hounds is an all-breed dog rescue established in Minnetonka, Minnesota, in 2009. The non-profit organization commits to making a positive impact in the lives of numerous dogs and cats through hospice care, rehabilitation, and adoption. This mission is achieved through a comprehensive approach.

A 3-tier Dog Saving Approach

Secondhand Hounds gives hope to dogs from shelters and surrendering owners through a three-initiative program: 

1. Rescuing, fostering, and adopting dogs and cats – This is done through short-term fostering, assisting struggling dog owners to defer surrender, and lobbying.
2. Vet care at a Center that’s also open to the public – Provides neonatal, rehab, and hospice care services, as well as running TNR clinics.
3. Community outreach to support pets and owners – Realized through community education programs and a pet food shelf.

All this is made possible by living their 5 core values:

• Compassion
• Reliability
• Being service-oriented
• Being open-minded
• Being solution-oriented

How You Can Support 

Secondhand Hounds Rescue invites the public to support their noble mission with donations and volunteer and foster services. 

Individuals looking for adoptive dogs can also help by permanently opening their homes to needy dogs.

To adopt a German Shepherd from Secondhand Hounds, follow these steps:

1. Go to the ‘adoptable dogs’ page and search by breed to single out available German Shepherds.
2. Click on a GSD that interests you and fill out the adoption application.
3. Wait for 48 hours for an adoption coordinator to review your application. The coordinator will then send the application to a foster to determine if you are a good fit before getting back to you.
4. Attend a meet-and-greet.
5. Allow a virtual home visit.
6. Pay the adoption fee and sign the adoption contract.
7. Pick and bring home your new pet.

The adoption fee varies from dog to dog but is around $400 and $600.

You can explore Secondhand Hounds’ website or visit them at 5959 Baker Road, Suite 390, Minnetonka, MN 55345, for additional information.

Alternatively, call them at 952-322-7643 or send an email to [email protected].

German Shepherd Dog Clubs in Minnesota

Joining a German Shepherd club connects persons with a passion for the same breed. Through the club, you can access useful information about other reliable dog rescues in Minnesota where you can find a German Shepherd. 

Consider the German Shepherd Dog Club of Minneapolis & St. Paul, which appears to be the main one in the state.

If you have a white German Shepherd, you could also join the Minnesota Chapter of the White German Shepherd Dog Club International, Inc.

Helpful German Shepherd Articles

If you’re on the fence about rescuing a German Shepherd, or if you need more information, these guides may be just what you need:

• German Shepherd Pros and Cons: What To Consider Before Buying
• Costs of Owning a German Shepherd: With 21 Examples!
• Male vs. Female German Shepherd: Which Should You Get?
• How to Train a German Shepherd: 7 Quick and Easy Ways.

Concluding Thoughts

Does a German Shepherd rescue in Minnesota feel like the organization you’d want to work with to help a homeless dog?

Start with Saving Shepherds and FaerieLand rescues. 

Also, consider joining a German Shepherd dog club. You just might find the precise info you are looking for to hasten your search.

Hey! Are you looking for a German Shepherd rescue countrywide? Check out this article, 45 Best German Shepherd Rescues In The US.