German shepherds come to a rescue for a variety of reasons. One is from families that find themselves in uncertain circumstances or those that didn't properly anticipate the commitment a German shepherd would require in their lives when they purchased a puppy. If you are considering relinquishing up your German shepherd because you are encountering an issue with your dog, here is some helpful advice to try to solve it before giving up.

Pets are living creatures capable of fear, pain, loneliness, and joy and are not disposable property. But life can throw a curveball to even the most responsible pet owner. If you must surrender your German shepherd, what now?

The first step is to try to find a home for your dog. Prepare a short biography for your dog. Take the best photos you possibly can. And email the bio and photos to rescue groups. Check our list of rescues to get started. Ask them to post your dog as a private party adoption. We will post your dog on our private party adoption page with you as the contact. You know your dog best, and this way you'll be able to find a suitable new home where it will be well cared for and loved. You'll spare your dog the trauma of moving from home to shelter to rescue to new home, and it will much more likely escape euthanization in a shelter.

It's best to be 100 percent truthful with potential adopters, or the dog may end up in a home where it will be in trouble in no time. Knowing the good and the bad helps place dogs appropriately. If your dog hates cats, say so. Doesn't like kids? Say so. There are plenty of homes with neither cats or kids! Share the reason you are surrendering the dog. Is the dog current on vaccinations and heartworm preventative? Is the dog spayed or neutered? Has the dog ever bitten anyone? Does the dog have any health problems? Is it currently being treated for them? Other details such as if the dog is housebroken, walks well on a leash, or has food aggression problems is very helpful too.

Do not place any "free to good home" ads or simply give your dog away! There are unscrupulous people looking for free dogs to turn into a profit by selling them to laboratories for testing trials or to dog fighting rings or by breeding them. Don't let that happen to your pet. If your dog isn't spayed or neutered now would be a good time to consider it before the dog leaves your control or is picked up by a breeder and adds to the overpopulation problem.

If you absolutely cannot keep your German shepherd, complete our online owner turn-in application. Have a photo ready to upload. We will attempt to help you find a spot in our rescue for your dog where it will be safe. Over 60 percent of animals entering shelters never come out again. Make every possible effort to get your dog into a new home or under the wing of a rescue organization.