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Heartland German Shepherd Rescue (HUGS)

We rescue, rehabilitate, and place German Shepherd dogs in permanent, loving homes.

Our main focus is to save German Shepherd dogs at risk of being euthanized in shelters. We also try to help other German Shepherds and Belgian Shepherds in need, as we are able to.

We do not have a shelter facility. The dogs we rescue stay with our volunteer foster families until the time of their adoption. We provide necessary veterinary care, appropriate nutrition, training and socialization to ready our dogs for their forever home. We support a balanced training approach.

Our greatest need is for foster families. Our ability to save a dog's life is most often determined by whether we have an open foster home for that dog to go in.

There are other ways that you can help. We always need volunteers to help at events.

Cannot foster or volunteer? Donations are much appreciated!

Your donation is tax deductible. If you would like a receipt for your donation, please let us know. All donations go directly to help pay for vet bills, food & heartworm preventative for the HUGS dogs. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated and allow us to save more dogs. THANK YOU On behalf of the HUGS dogs.

Meet their adoptable pets

PO BOX 652,
Gretna, NE, 68028

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Rescue FAQs

Heartland German Shepherd Rescue (HUGS) is a Nebraska-licensed, all-volunteer, 501c3 non-profit dog rescue organization founded in May 2015. We operate out of the Omaha-Lincoln, Nebraska area.

Additional adoption info

German Shepherd dogs are a highly active, energetic, working breed. They require considerable exercise, socialization, training, leadership and mental stimuli in order to be well-adjusted, well-balanced, and well-mannered dogs. If you are new to German Shepherds, please research the breed to make sure this is the dog for you. We ask that you consider the time and financial commitment that your German Shepherd will require before applying for one.

Heartland German Shepherd Rescue (HUGS) dogs will receive necessary veterinary care and will be up-to-date on vaccinations, tested for Heartworm disease (started on Heartworm preventative, or treated if Heartworm positive), spayed or neutered, and microchipped.

Adoption fees: Puppies $400, Adult Dogs (1-6yr) $350, Senior Dogs (7yr+) $300.

As part of the application process, we ask that you provide references (to include a veterinarian, if applicable) and that you allow us to conduct a home visit.

We will adopt dogs to approved Midwest applicants within an approximate 300 mile radius of the Omaha-Lincoln, NE area, provided that we can complete a home visit. Applicants must be willing to travel to the Omaha-Lincoln area for an adoption meet and greet with their prospective new HUGS dog. All household members, including current dogs, must attend the meet and greet.

All HUGS dogs MUST be INSIDE dogs in their adoptive home.

Adoption application

https://www.heartlandgsrescue.org/forms/form?formid=3577

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