Heaven knows there are innumberable Great Danes that are available from rescue organizations. The reasons range from someone having bought a puppy without thinking of the responsibilites, to behavior problems or illness, to even just plain nasty people who were abusing their dogs. The pictures of starvation, broken bones, and shattered spirits can rip the heart out of anyone. Sometimes I am horrified at the cruelty we humans are capable of.
But as much as I would encourage you to take in a rescued Dane, I also must warn you not to ignore the difficulties of rescuing. Objectively analyze what sort of dogs you can take in. Don’t over or underestimate your “dog skills” with behavior problems. Honestly consider whether or not you have the time to socialize a neglected dog. If the best you can do is take in a dog who wasn’t allowed in the first owner’s new apartment complex, then there are still dogs who need you.
The most difficult Dane I ever worked with was a dominant, aggressive, wild rescue. The most brilliant and gentle dog I ever had was also a rescue. I have never regreted a single rescue! In fact, to this very day Shabah is my truest love, a favorite of all my dogs, 
and I can still cry when I think how much I miss my Shabah. But I was not prepared for what I faced. The learning curve was steep, and so were the vet bills. I learned, and they learned, but to make it easier, please be brutally honest with the rescue director!
If you are willing and able to rescue a Dane, then I wish every blessing and goodness for you. You can find a link on the blogroll to Dane rescue here in SW Missouri, where puppy mills are epidemic. To find a rescue group for your state, simply google “dane rescue (your state)”. There are too many for me to post on my blogroll. But they are out there. Here is a link that has a state by state listing: http://www.great-dane-rescue.org/rescue.html
Harley, Truman, and Deisel (left to right). Photo taken at Ft. Lauderdale Humane Society fund raising walk, March 08. Courtesy of Katherine Guerke. The event was Walk For The Animals Humane Society of Broward County http://humanebroward.com Pack Name PAWS (Pets Are Worth Saving)
Alex
/ August 12, 2008I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you down the road!
Sully
/ December 21, 2008Found your site on Google, just having a look and a read.
I help the Dane Rescue in the UK http://www.greatdanerescue.co.uk
and the forums http://www.sullyworld.co.uk/newforum/index.php
keep up the good work
Paul Sully
Emilio
/ February 12, 2009Love your site. I rescued a Merle Dane two weeks ago. He is a big dog with big anxiety issues. I got him a crate and he is terrified by it. I’m slowly letting him get accustomed to it. He has destroyed door frames, pulled up linoleum and broken door handles. But I’m determined to help him no matter what. So I’ve enrolled him in Puppy Kindergarten and working on socializing him more….. Thanks for this site. I will continue to look for answers here. If you have any suggestions let me know.
Thanks…. Emilio
christine
/ September 18, 2011Hi there, just today my girlfriend and her rescue group rescued what they believe to be a great dane puppy. She has been extremely malnourished. A homeless man bought her from a person selling them on the street for $10 and when the man came across people from the rescue event and told them the story, they paid the man $20 and took the dog. The vets on site did a full work up though and she is healthy, they think she is 3 mo old and just needs love and food and she will be fine. I have been looking for a dog to add to our family and this would not be something I just jump into but she is a love. Being that she is quite skinny from lack of food it is hard for me to be sure she is a Great Dane. Also to be honest I don’t have a wealth of knowledge on Danes to pull from. Is there anyway for me to send you a picture and get your opinion? If this sounds odd I apologize…. Just thorough in my research. Thank you.