Adopt

Heartland German Shepherd Rescue (HUGS)

Dog rescue in Gretna, NE

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.

Contact
Phone
Address
PO BOX 652
Gretna, NE 68028
Donation
Address Map

Meet their adoptable pets

PO BOX 652

Gretna, NE 68028

See every new pet that comes to this rescue!

Create an alert, and we'll notify you every time a new pet comes in who meets your criteria.

Adoptable pets at Heartland German Shepherd Rescue (HUGS)

We'll also keep you updated on Rascal *PENDING*'s adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Rascal *PENDING*

Rascal *PENDING*

Australian Cattle Dog

Male
Gretna, NE
We'll also keep you updated on River's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of River

River

Labrador Retriever/Australian Shepherd

Female, Adult
Gretna, NE
We'll also keep you updated on Violet *PENDING*'s adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Violet *PENDING*

Violet *PENDING*

German Shepherd Dog

Female
Gretna, NE
We'll also keep you updated on River's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of River

River

German Shepherd Dog

Male
Gretna, NE
We'll also keep you updated on Dresden's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Dresden

Dresden

German Shepherd Dog

Male
Gretna, NE
We'll also keep you updated on Titan's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Titan

Titan

Rottweiler

Male, Young
Gretna, NE
We'll also keep you updated on Bianca *PENDING*. Nka Calla's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Bianca *PENDING*. Nka Calla

Bianca *PENDING*. Nka Calla

German Shepherd Dog

Female
Gretna, NE
We'll also keep you updated on Primrose * PENDING's adoption status with email updates.
long timer badge
Photo of Primrose * PENDING

Primrose * PENDING

Australian Cattle Dog

Female, Puppy
Gretna, NE

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

Pets at shelters & rescues near Heartland German Shepherd Rescue (HUGS)

Nebraska Poodle Rescue

P.O. Box 34375,
Omaha, NE 68134

Hooves & Paws Rescue of the Heartland

27821 US Hwy 34,
Glenwood, IA 51534

SOLAS

Council Bluffs, IA 51501

We'll also keep you updated on Ava's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Ava

Ava

Domestic Shorthair

Female, 6 mos
Omaha, NE
We'll also keep you updated on Oliver's adoption status with email updates.
Bonded Pair
Photo of Oliver

Oliver

Sheltie, Shetland Sheepdog

Male, 8 yrs 3 mos
Elkhorn, NE
We'll also keep you updated on Penelope's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Penelope

Penelope

Domestic Mediumhair

Female, 11 mos
Fremont, NE
We'll also keep you updated on Romeo's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Romeo

Romeo

American Fuzzy Lop

Male, 3 yrs
Papillion, NE
We'll also keep you updated on Reindeer's adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Reindeer

Reindeer

Domestic Shorthair

Male, 1 yr 5 mos
Council Bluffs, IA
We'll also keep you updated on Boysenberry & Goji (Perfect Pair)'s adoption status with email updates.
Photo of Boysenberry & Goji (Perfect Pair)

Boysenberry & Goji (Perfect Pair)

Domestic Shorthair

Female, Young
Lincoln, NE

Search for a dog or cat

  • Columbus, OH
  • Columbus, OH
  • Columbus Grove, OH
  • Columbus Grv, OH

Sorry, we can’t find that location! Please try again.

Animal Charities in Gretna, NE

HeARTs Speak

HeARTs Speak develops resources that help shelter animals to be seen and find homes, ultimately transforming public perceptions of pet adoption, shelters, and animals in need. Each year our work helps nearly 1 million pets in your community and beyond.

Learn more

Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs

There is a tremendous need for new methods of sterilization that are faster, easier, more accessible, and less expensive than surgery. ACC&D works tirelessly to bring together key stakeholders to advance this field.

Learn more

Animal Legal Defense Fund

Every day, Animal Legal Defense Fund works to enact tougher animal cruelty laws, provide care and legal assistance for animal victims of cruelty, offer rewards to bring abusers to justice, and provide free legal assistance to prosecutors and law enforcement to put abusers behind bars.

Learn more