--- title: "German shepherds for Adoption in North Carolina - NC Pet Project" description: "German shepherds listed for adoption at North Carolina shelters and rescues, checked daily. Filter by ZIP and see NC rescues for German shepherds." url: https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/ --- # German shepherds for adoption in North Carolina 191 German shepherds listed at North Carolina shelters when we last checked, October 17, 2026. Every pet links to its own shelter, which handles the adoption. ## German shepherds listed for adoption Form fields: Search pets; Breed; Sex; Female; Male; Age; Baby (under 1 year); Young (1 to 3 years); Adult (3 to 8 years); Senior (8 years and up); Size; Small; Medium; Large; Extra large; Near ZIP (to the shelter); Within; Sort by; County; Shelter or rescue; Shelters and rescues; Where they are; At the shelter; In a foster home; Hide pets with an adoption pending; Hide pets on stray hold (not yet available to adopt). Submit it on the web page. Showing 48 of 191 pets [See the 348 shelters and rescues](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/shelters/) - ![Pi, Shepherd, German](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/cliffords-army-rescue/CLIP-A-105-30cde4281c.webp)RescueIn foster[Pi (opens Clifford's Army's profile in a new tab)](https://new.shelterluv.com/embed/animal/CLIP-A-105) · [Shepherd, German](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Female · 1 yearClifford's Army, Cleveland CountyIn foster near Earl - ![Lucas & Chelsy, German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/blue-moon-shepherd-rescue/49648516-74769081a9.webp)Rescue[Lucas & Chelsy (opens Blue Moon Shepherd Rescue's profile in a new tab)](https://www.adoptapet.com/pet/49648516-rocky-point-north-carolina-german-shepherd-dog) · [German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Blue Moon Shepherd Rescue, Pender County - ![Aries, German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/hamiltons-healing-hearts/49677621-bef62d33b1.webp)Rescue[Aries (opens Hamilton's Healing Hearts's profile in a new tab)](https://www.adoptapet.com/pet/49677621-willard-north-carolina-german-shepherd-dog) · [German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)MaleHamilton's Healing Hearts, Pender County - ![Driver, German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/a-ruff-day-rescue/1675605-f3babc4dc5.webp)Rescue[Driver (opens A Ruff Day Rescue's profile in a new tab)](https://www.wagtopia.com/search/pet?id=1675605) · [German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Male · babyA Ruff Day Rescue, Davie County - ![Molly, Shepherd, German](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/mercy-fund-animal-rescue/MFAR-A-410-e0496d6692.webp)RescueIn foster[Molly (opens Mercy Fund's profile in a new tab)](https://new.shelterluv.com/embed/animal/MFAR-A-410) · [Shepherd, German](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Female · 3 yearsMercy Fund, McDowell CountyIn foster near Marion - ![Elijah, German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/gram-rescue-ranch/35769013-7180de6208.webp)Rescue[Elijah (opens Gram Rescue Ranch's profile in a new tab)](https://www.adoptapet.com/pet/35769013-winston-salem-north-carolina-german-shepherd-dog) · [German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)MaleGram Rescue Ranch, Forsyth County - ![Empress, Shepherd, German](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/guilford-county-animal-services/GCAS-A-49445-fd2b99b06e.webp)In foster[Empress (opens GCAS's profile in a new tab)](https://new.shelterluv.com/embed/animal/GCAS-A-49445) · [Shepherd, German](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Female · 8 yearsGCAS, Guilford County - ![Orion, German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/charlotte-mecklenburg-animal-care-and-control/A1270278-16af00b009.webp) · [Orion (opens CMPD Animal Care's profile in a new tab)](https://24petconnect.com/CLTAdopt/Details/CHRL/A1270278) · [German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Male · 3 years · 66 lbsCMPD Animal Care, Mecklenburg CountyAt the shelter 50 days - ![Razz, Shepherd, German](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/freedom-ride-rescue/FRR-A-37980-fbea47ec84.webp)RescueIn foster[Razz (opens Freedom Ride's profile in a new tab)](https://new.shelterluv.com/embed/animal/FRR-A-37980) · [Shepherd, German](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Male · 2 yearsFreedom Ride, Wake CountyIn foster near Raleigh - ![Puppy 4, German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/a-ruff-day-rescue/1669171-073269e623.webp)Rescue[Puppy 4 (opens A Ruff Day Rescue's profile in a new tab)](https://www.wagtopia.com/search/pet?id=1669171) · [German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)3 yearsA Ruff Day Rescue, Davie County - ![Cannellini Bean, Shepherd, German](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/freedom-ride-rescue/FRR-A-38694-a70318226f.webp)RescueIn foster[Cannellini Bean (opens Freedom Ride's profile in a new tab)](https://new.shelterluv.com/embed/animal/FRR-A-38694) · [Shepherd, German](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Female · 3 monthsFreedom Ride, Wake CountyIn foster near Raleigh - ![Hunter, German Shepherd](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/it-takes-a-village-rescue/itav-dog-hunter-3-7e8bfd85f2.webp)Rescue[Hunter (opens It Takes A Village's profile in a new tab)](https://ittakesavillagerescue.com/dog/hunter-3/) · [German Shepherd](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Male · 6 monthsIt Takes A Village, Lee County - ![Lil Ceaser, German Shepherd](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/wake-county-animal-center/266178-4c4319f2aa.webp)In foster[Lil Ceaser (opens WCAC's profile in a new tab)](https://pets.wake.gov/adopt/266178) · [German Shepherd](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Male · 1 years, 7 months · 47 lbsWCAC, Wake County - ![Celine, Shepherd, German](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/saving-grace-animals-for-adoption/SGNC-A-24931-6a2b573181.webp)Rescue[Celine (opens Saving Grace's profile in a new tab)](https://new.shelterluv.com/embed/animal/SGNC-A-24931) · [Shepherd, German](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Female · 3 yearsSaving Grace, Wake County - ![Louvre, German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/pawfect-match-rescue-and-rehabilitation/48937350-20b933f944.webp)Rescue[Louvre (opens Pawfect Match Rescue and Rehabilitation's profile in a new tab)](https://www.adoptapet.com/pet/48937350-holly-springs-north-carolina-german-shepherd-dog) · [German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)FemalePawfect Match Rescue and Rehabilitation, Wake County - ![Puppy 1, German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/a-ruff-day-rescue/1669167-6993e48f17.webp)Rescue[Puppy 1 (opens A Ruff Day Rescue's profile in a new tab)](https://www.wagtopia.com/search/pet?id=1669167) · [German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)3 yearsA Ruff Day Rescue, Davie County - ![Symone, Shepherd, German](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/mercy-fund-animal-rescue/MFAR-A-172-0c9a4fdb77.webp)RescueIn foster[Symone (opens Mercy Fund's profile in a new tab)](https://new.shelterluv.com/embed/animal/MFAR-A-172) · [Shepherd, German](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Female · 3 yearsMercy Fund, McDowell CountyIn foster near Marion - ![Zeus, German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/brunswick-county-animal-protective-services/6aad686658440ce17b062b29-2a4c5f90ef.webp) · [Zeus (opens Brunswick Animal Protective Services's profile in a new tab)](https://adopt.animalsfirst.com/animal/6596b5018e961d5223017601/6aad686658440ce17b062b29) · [German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Male · adult · 62 lbsBrunswick Animal Protective Services, Brunswick CountyAt the shelter 30 days - ![Magnolia, Shepherd, German](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/paws-of-the-pines-rescue/POTP-A-497-674264f57f.webp)RescueIn foster[Magnolia (opens Paws of the Pines's profile in a new tab)](https://new.shelterluv.com/embed/animal/214105172) · [Shepherd, German](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Female · 5 monthsPaws of the Pines, Moore CountyIn foster near Pinebluff - ![Cash, German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/charlotte-mecklenburg-animal-care-and-control/A1269254-7f66ddff52.webp) · [Cash (opens CMPD Animal Care's profile in a new tab)](https://24petconnect.com/CLTAdopt/Details/CHRL/A1269254) · [German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Male · 3 years · 53 lbsCMPD Animal Care, Mecklenburg CountyAt the shelter 2 months - ![Mojo, Shepherd, German](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/dizzy-dog-animal-rescue/DDAR-A-902-f6e3051ea5.webp)RescueIn foster[Mojo (opens Dizzy Dog's profile in a new tab)](https://new.shelterluv.com/embed/animal/DDAR-A-902) · [Shepherd, German](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Male · 2 yearsDizzy Dog, Iredell CountyIn foster near Mooresville - ![Junior, German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/gram-rescue-ranch/44546956-cd6de09c52.webp)Rescue[Junior (opens Gram Rescue Ranch's profile in a new tab)](https://www.adoptapet.com/pet/44546956-winston-salem-north-carolina-german-shepherd-dog) · [German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)MaleGram Rescue Ranch, Forsyth County - ![Rocky, German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/hoke-county-animal-shelter/49353418-9a943f1edb.webp) · [Rocky (opens Hoke County Animal Shelter's profile in a new tab)](https://www.adoptapet.com/pet/49353418-raeford-north-carolina-german-shepherd-dog) · [German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Male · 1 yearHoke County Animal Shelter, Hoke County - ![Fanta, German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/cumberland-county-animal-services/A434880-26b74af5e1.webp) · [Fanta (opens Cumberland Animal Services's profile in a new tab)](https://24petconnect.com/CMBR/Details/CMBR/A434880) · [German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Female · 6 yearsCumberland Animal Services, Cumberland CountyAt the shelter 41 days - ![Puppy 6, German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/a-ruff-day-rescue/1669170-deded4c92f.webp)Rescue[Puppy 6 (opens A Ruff Day Rescue's profile in a new tab)](https://www.wagtopia.com/search/pet?id=1669170) · [German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Female · 3 yearsA Ruff Day Rescue, Davie County - ![Rocky, German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/lee-county-animal-services/193712-4945880a88.webp) · [Rocky (opens Lee Animal Services's profile in a new tab)](https://leecountync.animalshelternet.com/adoption_animal_details.cfm?AnimalUID=193712) · [German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Male · 1 yearLee Animal Services, Lee County - ![Ellie, German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/crisis-dogs-nc/48511033-16d48d1663.webp)Rescue[Ellie (opens Crisis Dogs NC's profile in a new tab)](https://www.adoptapet.com/pet/48511033-raleigh-north-carolina-german-shepherd-dog) · [German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)FemaleCrisis Dogs NC, Wake County - ![Marigold, German Shepherd](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/wake-county-animal-center/272863-a6be18108e.webp) · [Marigold (opens WCAC's profile in a new tab)](https://pets.wake.gov/adopt/272863) · [German Shepherd](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Female · 6 years · 58 lbsWCAC, Wake County - ![Sasha, German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/orange-county-animal-services/A248732-9d12ca50f3.webp) · [Sasha (opens OCAS's profile in a new tab)](https://24petconnect.com/ORNCAll/Details/ORNC/A248732) · [German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Female · 9 years · 105 lbsOCAS, Orange County - ![Klous, Shepherd, German](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/guilford-county-animal-services/GCAS-A-50347-9d184bdd3f.webp) · [Klous (opens GCAS's profile in a new tab)](https://new.shelterluv.com/embed/animal/GCAS-A-50347) · [Shepherd, German](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Male · 1 yearGCAS, Guilford County - ![Puppy 5, German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/a-ruff-day-rescue/1669172-f99b0f41d8.webp)Rescue[Puppy 5 (opens A Ruff Day Rescue's profile in a new tab)](https://www.wagtopia.com/search/pet?id=1669172) · [German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)3 yearsA Ruff Day Rescue, Davie County - ![Ella, German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/charlotte-mecklenburg-animal-care-and-control/A1272220-a1ba5c04b1.webp) · [Ella (opens CMPD Animal Care's profile in a new tab)](https://24petconnect.com/CLTAdopt/Details/CHRL/A1272220) · [German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Female · 2 years · 53 lbsCMPD Animal Care, Mecklenburg County - ![Novacaine (Courtesy Post), German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/heart-of-the-foothills-animal-rescue/46711504-e58e03da62.webp) · [Novacaine (Courtesy Post) (opens Heart of the Foothills Animal Rescue's profile in a new tab)](https://www.adoptapet.com/pet/46711504-rutherfordton-north-carolina-german-shepherd-dog) · [German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Female · 4 yearsHeart of the Foothills Animal Rescue, Rutherford County - ![Lou, Shepherd, German](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/freedom-ride-rescue/FRR-A-38689-8cab283fd9.webp)RescueIn foster[Lou (opens Freedom Ride's profile in a new tab)](https://new.shelterluv.com/embed/animal/FRR-A-38689) · [Shepherd, German](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Male · 3 yearsFreedom Ride, Wake CountyIn foster near Raleigh - ![Matthias, German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/ruff-love-rescue-and-foster-care/32892147-c518878c7b.webp)Rescue[Matthias (opens Ruff Love Rescue and Foster Care's profile in a new tab)](https://www.adoptapet.com/pet/32892147-thomasville-north-carolina-german-shepherd-dog) · [German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)MaleRuff Love Rescue and Foster Care, Davidson County - ![Luna, German Shepherd](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/it-takes-a-village-rescue/itav-dog-luna-7-a55f87d235.webp)Rescue[Luna (opens It Takes A Village's profile in a new tab)](https://ittakesavillagerescue.com/dog/luna-7/) · [German Shepherd](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Female · 6 monthsIt Takes A Village, Lee County - ![Autumn, German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/gram-rescue-ranch/32584307-f76952e2f1.webp)Rescue[Autumn (opens Gram Rescue Ranch's profile in a new tab)](https://www.adoptapet.com/pet/32584307-winston-salem-north-carolina-german-shepherd-dog) · [German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)FemaleGram Rescue Ranch, Forsyth County - ![Puppy 2, German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/a-ruff-day-rescue/1669168-c2d8ae11c3.webp)Rescue[Puppy 2 (opens A Ruff Day Rescue's profile in a new tab)](https://www.wagtopia.com/search/pet?id=1669168) · [German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Female · 3 yearsA Ruff Day Rescue, Davie County - ![Storm, Shepherd, German](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/foothills-humane-society/FHHS-A-66443-b82316789c.webp) · [Storm (opens Foothills Humane's profile in a new tab)](https://new.shelterluv.com/embed/animal/FHHS-A-66443) · [Shepherd, German](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Male · 3 yearsFoothills Humane, Polk CountyAt the shelter 3 months - ![Harley (Planet mama), German Shepherd Dog Shepherd (Unknown Type)](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/pawfect-match-rescue-and-rehabilitation/49448006-5d68e3ffcc.webp)Rescue[Harley (Planet mama) (opens Pawfect Match Rescue and Rehabilitation's profile in a new tab)](https://www.adoptapet.com/pet/49448006-holly-springs-north-carolina-german-shepherd-dog-shepherd-unknown-type) · [German Shepherd Dog Shepherd (Unknown Type)](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)FemalePawfect Match Rescue and Rehabilitation, Wake County - ![Willow, Shepherd, German](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/paws-of-the-pines-rescue/POTP-A-498-3a61270f1c.webp)RescueIn foster[Willow (opens Paws of the Pines's profile in a new tab)](https://new.shelterluv.com/embed/animal/214105174) · [Shepherd, German](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Male · 5 monthsPaws of the Pines, Moore CountyIn foster near Pinebluff - ![Zeke, German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/charlotte-mecklenburg-animal-care-and-control/A1197265-2fef207518.webp) · [Zeke (opens CMPD Animal Care's profile in a new tab)](https://24petconnect.com/CLTAdopt/Details/CHRL/A1197265) · [German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Male · 5 years · 68 lbsCMPD Animal Care, Mecklenburg CountyAt the shelter 4 months - ![Puppy 3, German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/a-ruff-day-rescue/1669169-5a489237d3.webp)Rescue[Puppy 3 (opens A Ruff Day Rescue's profile in a new tab)](https://www.wagtopia.com/search/pet?id=1669169) · [German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Female · 3 yearsA Ruff Day Rescue, Davie County - ![Zella, German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/cumberland-county-animal-services/A431722-50b5222bd5.webp) · [Zella (opens Cumberland Animal Services's profile in a new tab)](https://24petconnect.com/CMBR/Details/CMBR/A431722) · [German Shepherd Dog](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Female · 6 yearsCumberland Animal Services, Cumberland CountyAt the shelter 4 months - ![Sassy Sadie, German Shepherd Dog Hound (Unknown Type)](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/critter-cavalry-rescue/49190403-0bddb95a88.webp)Rescue[Sassy Sadie (opens Critter Cavalry Rescue's profile in a new tab)](https://www.adoptapet.com/pet/49190403-charlotte-north-carolina-german-shepherd-dog-hound-unknown-type) · [German Shepherd Dog Hound (Unknown Type)](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)FemaleCritter Cavalry Rescue, Mecklenburg County - ![Liesel, Shepherd, German and Hound, Plott mix](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/mercy-fund-animal-rescue/MFAR-A-53-5d1b9e52e6.webp)RescueIn foster[Liesel (opens Mercy Fund's profile in a new tab)](https://new.shelterluv.com/embed/animal/MFAR-A-53) · [Shepherd, German and Hound, Plott mix](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Female · 2 yearsMercy Fund, McDowell CountyIn foster near Marion - ![Jackpot, German Shepherd Dog mix](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/harnett-county-animal-shelter/49633006-5c4a7afc6c.webp) · [Jackpot (opens Harnett County Animal Shelter's profile in a new tab)](https://www.adoptapet.com/pet/49633006-lillington-north-carolina-german-shepherd-dog-mix) · [German Shepherd Dog mix](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Male · 5 yearsHarnett County Animal Shelter, Harnett County - ![Cassie, German Shepherd Dog Mixed Breed (Medium) mix](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/photos/rutherford-county-animal-control-services/49437242-3e17c3eee6.webp) · [Cassie (opens Rutherford County Animal Control Services's profile in a new tab)](https://www.adoptapet.com/pet/49437242-rutherfordton-north-carolina-german-shepherd-dog-mixed-breed-medium-mix) · [German Shepherd Dog Mixed Breed (Medium) mix](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/german-shepherd/)Female · 7 yearsRutherford County Animal Control Services, Rutherford County No pets match those filters right now. Try fewer words or clear filters. Clear the filters and look again; shelters add new pets every day. Show 48 more pets Back to top [All adoptable pets](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/) [How this list works](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/how-it-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](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/shelters/). Pets are adopted every day, so a pet shown here may already have found a home. ## What the list shows today The 191 German shepherds on the list today are spread across 49 counties; the most are listed in Wake County (27), Davie County (16) and Durham County (13). About 60% are listed by rescues and 40% by public and nonprofit shelters, and about 60% live in foster homes rather than at a shelter, so a visit may need an appointment. Of the 123 with an age listed, the typical (median) age is about 2 years. One is already marked adoption pending. 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 German shepherds German shepherds are devoted, protective companions that enjoy mental and physical challenges. They need daily walks, jogs, hikes or play sessions, and early socialization helps them accept new people. 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](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt-vs-buy-dog-nc/) and [when to spay or neuter a dog by size](https://ncpetproject.org/spay-neuter-timing/). Source: [VCA Animal Hospitals: German Shepherd](https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/dog-breeds/german-shepherd). ## NC rescues for German shepherds - ![German Shepherd Rescue & Adoptions logo](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/logos/rescue-german-shepherd-rescue-and-adoptions.webp) [German Shepherd Rescue & Adoptions](https://gsdrescue.org/)Based in Durham, adopts only within NC, SC and VA - ![Southeast German Shepherd Rescue logo](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/logos/rescue-southeast-german-shepherd-rescue.webp) [Southeast German Shepherd Rescue](https://southeastgermanshepherdrescue.com/)New Hill based, adopts in North Carolina and Virginia We checked each rescue's own page on or before October 17, 2026. Contact a rescue directly about the pets it has and how it adopts. Logos belong to their organizations and are shown to identify them; ask us and we'll remove one. ## Get an email when a new German shepherd is listed in NC **Coming soon.** Sign up now and you'll be first; we'll email you once to confirm before alerts start. Form fields: Email; ZIP code (optional); Within; Website. Submit it on the web page. While you're here: add your name to the petition for low-cost spay/neuter in all 100 counties [Sign the petition](https://ncpetproject.org/sign-the-petition/?src=alert) Set up another alert ## Other breeds - [Pit bull type dogs 1,187](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/pit-bull-type/) - [Labrador retrievers 542](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/labrador-retriever/) - [Hounds and coonhounds 455](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/hound-and-coonhound/) - [Terriers 429](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/terrier/) - [Chihuahuas 202](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/chihuahua/) - [Boxers 196](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/boxer/) - [Puppies 1,068](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/puppies/) - [Senior dogs 301](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/senior-dogs/) - [All dogs](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/dogs/) - [All breeds and ages](https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/breeds/) --- NC Pet Project works to end pet overpopulation in North Carolina through low-cost spay/neuter and better laws, and lists adoptable pets from North Carolina shelters and rescues in one daily-updated place. Low-cost help by ZIP code: https://ncpetproject.org/get-help/ . Adoptable pets: https://ncpetproject.org/adopt/ . Contact: info@ncpetproject.org