German Shepherd rescue organizations exist across the United States and throughout Europe to foster and find homes for lost, abandoned German Shepherds who would otherwise be euthanized in shelters, starve as strays or die on roadways.

These organizations are formed by volunteers with a great love for the breed. Most rescue volunteers have jobs and families, but manage to find the time to rescue, shelter and re-home these unfortunate animals. Rescues often network to bring at risk German Shepherds to safety and provide for their care. Most rescues are supported by adoption donations and private donations made by the public.

Breed rescue organizations vary widely. Some are a single person with no formal organization. Some are small 501(c)(3) charitable organizations with a few dogs at a time, all in foster care with families, and some are large organizations with many dogs, some fostered, some in boarding. Larger organizations with higher levels of funding may have a facility where they house their dogs.

Each rescue will have its own procedures, forms and adoption donation amounts required to adopt. A responsible rescue will have an application and interview process, followed by a meeting with the dog and introduction to family members, a home check to make sure the animal will be living in a safe and loving environment, and a contract stating the terms of the adoption. Some rescues will adopt a dog to an out-of-state home, others will only adopt locally.

In most cases, the dog will be spayed or neutered and current on its vaccinations. Ninety percent of animals coming into rescue require spay or neuter surgeries. A primary mission of many rescue groups is to educate the public regarding the importance of having pets spayed and neutered to help stop pet overpopulation and the sad euthanization of so many unwanted animals.

Rescues specialize in finding homes for dogs of all ages. Some adoptive families may find a mature dog to be more settled, need less exercise, and have less “puppy” types of behavior such as chewing and barking. Usually mature dogs are housebroken and well mannered in the home. Mature dogs make loving and loyal and easy companions, especially considering the activity level, strength and intelligence of young German Shepherds.

If you are thinking of adopting a German Shepherd, the first step is to research the breed. German Shepherds are a big presence in a home, and do not take kindly to being left outdoors without your family, who they consider their “pack.” Most of the behavioral problems listed when German Shepherds are turned into a shelter are barking, digging and fence jumping. Not surprisingly, also listed is the fact that the dog was “outdoor only.”

Be prepared to take your new dog through training. By doing so, you will learn a lot about how to be a pack leader, a necessity for co-existing with many German Shepherds, and in fact, with most dogs.

Personalities of German Shepherds vary widely. It’s best to not make your adoption decision based on the look of the dog alone. Although we all have preferences for the way our new family member will look, basing your decision solely on the physical appearance of the animal may not satisfy your desires in a pet. Warm memories of the German Shepherd you grew up with may quickly fade if the adopter is not careful to include temperament and compatibility in his decisionmaking process. If you’re asked to fill out an application, include as much information as possible about your experience with dogs and about your home environment. If you’re not willing to adopt a dog who needs training, one who isn’t housebroken, or one who barks at strangers, provide that information. Everything you tell the rescue helps them match you to the most appropriate dog.

Then, ask the rescue volunteer some questions.

• Is the dog currently in a foster home or kenneled? This way you can get a feel for the amount of knowledge the rescue has about that particular dog. If the dog has not been in foster care, keep in mind that the volunteer may only have a general knowledge of the dog.
• What is the general activity level and exercise requirement of this dog?
• Has the dog interacted with children, other dogs, or cats while in the care of the rescue?
• What is the dog’s behavior on leash and around strangers?
• Does the dog seem to guard the yard or the foster family? This type of behavior can be unwanted by one family, and much desired by another family.
• Is the dog housebroken? Does it use a doggie door? Would its manner make it a good dog for a condominium environment, or would the dog do better with a yard and some freedom? People say German Shepherds need large yards, but many of them prefer a soft couch and a good movie.
• Will the dog be happy in a single person working home, or will it do best if it has the company of its human pack much of the time?
• Don’t forget to ask what the adoption procedures are for the rescue you are working with, whether the dog will be spayed or neutered, and the status of vaccinations. Sometimes you may also be able to obtain registration papers.
• Last but not least, consider helping the rescue to continue to save dogs by make a donation above the minimum requested. Many dogs are lost every day to lack of available funds to save them.

Check SCGSR’s adoption policy and procedure on our FAQ page.

E-mail: marcy@socalrescue.org