Adoption Resources

Our adoption resources have been carefully selected and include only certified shelters and organisations, many of which we have had positive personal experiences with. We believe in supporting reputable and ethical sources for adoption and strive to provide the best possible options for those looking to adopt a pet.

Standouts

  • Hundehilfe Toskana

    The organisation, headquartered in Würzburg, Germany, extends its support to shelters in the Tuscan region of Italy. Their primary mission is dedicated to rescue neglected hunting dogs. As a result, many of the dogs they rehome include mature senior dogs who have retired from hunting duties, as well as lively young pups that didn’t meet the hunters requirements.

    Note: Common breeds that are rehomed include hunting dogs such as Segugios, Spinone, Lagotto Romagnolo, English Setters, Pointers and Retrievers.

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  • Tierhilfe Hoffnung

    Tierhilfe Hoffnung operates Smeura, recognised as the world's largest animal shelter. Regular bi-monthly transports from Romania bring hundreds of dogs to Germany annually, where they can be adopted from over 60 partner shelters. The shelter houses up to 6000 dog at a time, including hundreds of puppies.

    Note: Due to the size of the shelter, you’ll find a wide range of breeds and dogs of all ages looking for a home. Check out the map on their page to see which shelters they work with and which is closest to you.

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  • Tierheim am See

    Located in Eisenhüttenstadt (Oder-Spree), the shelter is conveniently accessible for people in Berlin and surrounding areas. Its innovative approach involves housing dogs in spacious outdoor groups rather than individual crates, promoting socialisation. The shelter collaborates closely with Tierhilfe Hoffnung and successfully rehomes hundreds of Romanian strays each year.

    Note: It's worth planning a visit to the shelter, as not all dogs are presented on the website. This will also allow you to speak with the management, who are open to discussing the characteristics of individual dogs and which might suit you best.

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  • Tierheim Berlin

    Visiting your local shelter is a great way to support your community. The Tierheim Berlin is Germany's largest shelter and the second largest in Europe. Using their website's search system, you can easily filter out which characteristics are important to you. If a specific dog catches your eye, take them for a walk to see if it's a good fit.

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  • Undine's Hundehilfe

    Undine Fischer not only rescues dogs, but also horses, cats, raccoons, pigs, and more—often taking in the animals into her own home. She regularly rescues dogs from a shelter in Poland but is also active wherever her help is needed most - be it in the Ukraine or rescuing Spanish running dogs.

    Note: Whilst Undine does not operate her own website, you can find dogs that are looking for a home on her Facebook Page linked below. Dogs are rehomed from and can be visited just outside Berlin.

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There’s a fine line between legitimate rescue organisations and scammers running puppy mills and trying to convince you otherwise. Stay away from platforms like eBay and adopt only from certified organisations, like the ones listed here. These organisations will also have a long-term solution at heart, working to reduce the problem in the local areas, rather than solely rehoming.

List of Animal shelters in Germany

Rescue organisations abroad are a great option. However, make sure to also check your local shelter first, as this can be a great way to support your local community. All organisations and shelters listed below are certified by the Deutscher Tierschutzbund e.V.

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Think about fostering to get a feel for caring for a pet before making a long-term commitment. Fostering is also a great way to support shelters as it frees up space for other dogs, and you can give a dog the one-on-one attention it can’t receive in a crowded shelter, giving that dog a safe place to grow until they are ready to be adopted permanently. You can foster a dog from the organisations listed above.

Another great aspect of fostering is giving potential adoptees a more secure feeling before adopting. By taking the time to get to know the dog you can find adoptees that truly meet the requirements of that dog.

Need more advice?

We offer a 30-minute online consultation, during which we can help you choose the right breed, shelter, and overall dog for you! Get in touch via mail, and we'll arrange an appointment as soon as possible.