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3 Best German Shepherd Rescues in Tennessee (2024 Update)

Last Updated: January 1, 2024

Are you a resident of the Volunteer State and searching for a German Shepherd rescue in Tennessee where you can adopt a pet?

Well, we have excellent news for you!

Although the Bluetick Coonhound is the official state dog of Tennessee, residents of the state also love German Shepherds. That’s why you’ll find breed-specific dog rescues dedicated to saving GSDs and all-breed rescues that include the German Shepherd on their list of breeds for rescue.

Here are the 3 best German Shepherd rescues in Tennessee:

  • Middle Tennessee German Shepherd Rescue
  • Imminent Danger German Shepherd Rescue
  • Young-Williams Animal Center

We figured you’d love to know what’s unique about these rescues. So, we put together a complete description of the mission, features, adoption, and contact details of each. Let’s dive into those details!

German Shepherd Rescue Tennessee

German Shepherd Rescues in Tennessee 

If you live in Nashville, Greeneville, Memphis, or other cities of Tennessee and decide to search for ‘German Shepherd rescue near me,’ at least one of the 3 rescues discussed below will appear on your list.

1. Middle Tennessee German Shepherd Rescue

Middle Tennessee German Shepherd Rescue is a charitable breed-specific dog rescue in Nashville, Tennessee, started in 2012.

The Rescue is primarily dedicated to saving purebred German Shepherds. However, it also considers GSD mixes and other herding and working breeds like the Belgian Malinois.

Unique About the Rescue

You’ll love the high-quality photos of the gorgeous German Shepherds presented on the Rescue’s ‘Home’ and ‘Adoptable Dogs’ web pages. 

The images reflect the Rescue’s noble mission of saving GSDs and providing medical, evaluation, rehabilitation, training, and adoption services.

The Rescue works by the motto, “Save Local, Place Local,” because their focus is on Nashville and the surrounding areas. However, they also save dogs from East and West regions when the need calls for it. 

Also, the Rescue only grants adoption to those who live an hour’s drive from Nashville. That way, volunteers from the Rescue can follow the dogs’ progress post-adoption.

Middle Tennessee German Shepherd Rescue has established a cordial working collaboration with other animal welfare and control agencies in the area. 

This collaboration promotes a smooth rescue of dogs from shelters where they would otherwise be euthanized. The Rescue also accepts stray dogs and those surrendered by their owners.

Collaborating with the Rescue

Middle Tennessee German Shepherd Rescue is a foster and volunteer-run organization that relies on donors to afford the best care for rescued dogs.

As such, you can be part of their mission by fostering, volunteering, donating, or adopting a German Shepherd. 

To adopt:

  1. Head to the Adoptable Dogs page and find your probable match.
  2. Click on the ‘read more’ option next to the dog’s image to access the adoption details of your chosen pet.
  3. Email the Rescue at [email protected] to request an adoption application or send a direct message on their contact page. 

Other steps of the adoption process will follow once you submit the application. The fee is $500, split in half between adoption and training costs.

You can visit the Rescue’s website to explore available dogs and the adoption process. If posting a mail works better for you, address it to 59016 Nashville, TN 37205.

GSD In Cage Lying In Sun

2. Imminent Danger German Shepherd Rescue

Imminent Danger German Shepherd Rescue is a breed-specific dog rescue in Greeneville, Tennessee, founded by a GSD enthusiast in 2011. The Rescue began in the East area but expanded to the West in 2016 after noticing a growing need to save dogs in Memphis and the surrounding areas. 

Unique About the Rescue

As the name indicates, the Rescue was founded to save German Shepherd dogs in imminent danger. These are dogs from high kill-shelters, stray dogs, or those whose owners can no longer cater to their welfare.

Imminent Danger German Shepherd Rescue works with clear goals that entail:

  • Evaluating the temperament of rescued dogs in order to fit them with the right adopters.
  • Training rescued dogs in social skills and appropriate house behavior.
  • Providing the necessary med care, including neutering/spaying and up-to-date vaccination.
  • Educating dog owners on responsible dog ownership to promote better dog-owner bonding. 

Collaborating with the Rescue

Imminent Danger German Shepherd Rescue relies on foster families and volunteers to provide care to rescued dogs and place them in the best homes.

You can be part of this rescue network by becoming a foster or volunteer. You can also make monetary or item donations, including dog beds.

For a more long-lasting collaboration, consider adopting a German Shepherd to provide the pet with the warmth of a loving home.

You have to be at least 22 years to consider adopting a German Shepherd from Imminent Danger Rescue. The adoption process starts with completing an application form. A background check will then follow before you are given an appointment to meet the dog.

The adoption fee goes from $200 to $300, depending on the GSD’s age.

You can visit the Rescues website, https://www.idgsr.org, to meet the adoptable dogs and find more info about the Rescue. If you want specific details about the adoption process, send an email to [email protected].

German Shepherd with toys

3. Young-Williams Animal Center

Young-Williams Animal Center began in 2001 in Knoxville, Tennessee, as an animal welfare center. It was registered in 2012 as a charitable organization.

The Center takes its name from two attorneys, Mark Williams and Lindsay Young, who helped raise funds to build the state-of-the-art center.

Unique About the Center

Young-Williams Animal Center started as a simple center but has grown with the increase in demand for animal welfare services in the area. 

The Center’s About page records the statistics of thousands of rescued and rehomed animals every year. Since 2018, when the Center attained the ‘no-kill’ status, it has recorded a ‘save rate’ of over 90% annually.

With a vision of securing a home for every pet, Young-Williams Animal Center strives for a healthy animal-human bond and active community involvement to promote animal welfare and help eradicate pet homelessness.

Collaborating with the Center

The presence of committed volunteers and fosters at the Center ensures success in rescuing and rehoming dogs. These generous animal lovers donate their time and services for the good of the pets.

If you want to be part of their mission, you can:

  • Become a foster.
  • Volunteer as an individual or group.
  • Make a donation.
  • Adopt an animal.

When looking to adopt a German Shepherd from Young-Williams Animal Center, you will follow the general adoption process for all dogs. 

The process follows these steps:

  1. Visit the ‘Dogs’ page and explore the gallery of available dogs.
  2. Click on the picture of a dog that interests you to read the bio.
  3. Check the dog’s adoption agreement and fill out the adoption application form.

The rest of the adoption process is completed once your application is approved. 

As a requirement, you should:

  • Allow the adoption personnel at the Center to contact your vet.
  • Have a fenced yard. 
  • Work with the Center’s volunteers to establish compatibility and agreement among all members of your household.
  • Pay an adoption fee of $40-$250, depending on the dog’s age.

You can check the Center’s website referenced earlier for additional information about the availability of a German Shepherd for adoption. Alternatively, follow their daily activities on Facebook or write to Lisa at [email protected].

German Shepherd Pup

German Shepherd Dog Clubs in Tennessee

There are many other dog rescues in Tennessee where you can adopt a German Shepherd or collaborate with the rescue to ensure the welfare of the dogs.

Creating a connection with these rescues is easier if you are part of a German Shepherd Club in Tennessee. Consider the well-established German Shepherd Dog Club of East Tennessee

Helpful German Shepherd Articles

If you just want to learn more about the amazing German Shepherd breed, our website has a wealth of resources that will help you become a better owner and build a stronger bond with your furry friend. Our articles offer valuable insights into topics such as nutrition, exercise, grooming, and behavior.

So why not take a look and see what you can discover to help you improve a dog’s life?

Final Thoughts

When looking for a German Shepherd rescue in Tennessee, it is possible to find a breed-specific rescue or one that welcomes any dog breed.

Our guide gives you the best 3 German Shepherd rescues in Tennessee where you can commence your search. 

We hope your desire to be a German Shepherd parent is fulfilled at one of these rescues.

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

Joice Njeru
Joice Njeru is an avid pet lover, professional author, and skilled researcher with a heart for pets. A former university lecturer of 14 years but now turned freelance writer, Joice has created hundreds of articles on dog behavior, training, care, and pet health. She is an expert in everything pets and hopes to educate and inspire other pet lovers through her writing.
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