Australian shepherds for adoption in North Carolina

50 Australian shepherds listed at North Carolina shelters when we last checked, October 17, 2026. Every pet links to its own shelter, which handles the adoption.

50 pets

See the 348 shelters and rescues

All adoptable pets How this list works

Listings from 348 North Carolina shelters and rescues, checked October 17, 2026. Each pet links to its shelter, and the full list is on shelters and rescues. Pets are adopted every day, so a pet shown here may already have found a home.

What the list shows today

The 50 Australian shepherds on the list today are spread across 21 counties; the most are listed in Mecklenburg County (6), Wake County (6) and Davie County (5). About 64% are listed by rescues and 36% by public and nonprofit shelters, and about 64% live in foster homes rather than at a shelter, so a visit may need an appointment. Of the 29 with an age listed, the typical (median) age is about a year.

From the shelter and rescue listings NC Pet Project read on October 17, 2026. Each shelter sets its own labels, ages and foster status.

About Australian shepherds

Australian shepherds are smart, driven herding dogs that form strong bonds with their families. They need plenty of exercise and mental challenges, regular brushing, and a vet who knows about MDR1, a gene that makes some medicines risky for them.

Breed labels come from each shelter. They are a staff member's best guess from a pet's looks, not a DNA test, so a pet listed here may be a different mix, and a pet of this breed may be listed under another label.

Before you adopt, read our guides to adopting versus buying a dog in NC and when to spay or neuter a dog by size.

Source: VCA Animal Hospitals: Australian Shepherd.

NC rescues for Australian shepherds

We have not confirmed a North Carolina rescue that focuses on Australian shepherds yet. Our guide to finding a legitimate rescue in North Carolina explains what to look for, and every pet above links to its own shelter.

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