Adoption Policies
Owning a German Shepherd Dog can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it is also a serious responsibility. Owning any dog involves a commitment of time and money. GSDRGA wants every German Shepherd Dog we rescue to become a beloved member of their adopted family, living happy, healthy, and safely for the remainder of their lifetime. Therefore, we have established these adoption policies to assure that you and your new German Shepherd Dog will enjoy a beautiful friendship for many years to come.
The first step for all prospective adopters is to complete the adoption application, and pass the pre-approval process before scheduling any meetings with the dogs in our program.
All application requests are evaluated based on the information provided, such as children, other pets in the home, the time the dog will be left alone daily, living conditions for the dog, and previous GSD experience. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to care for a dog financially, including providing veterinary care, quality food, fresh water, heartworm and flea preventative, appropriate living conditions, and compliance with state and local licensing requirements. One of the most important factors we consider is your history of veterinary care for your pets.
Applicants with current dogs must be up to date on vaccinations and heartworm and flea preventative as verified by a veterinary reference. GSDRGA will reject any candidate whose current or past dogs were not kept up to date with all vaccinations and heartworm preventative without reasonable explanation and verification from their veterinarian.
Once all information is verified the applicant is pre-approved to start the process with the Dog listed on their application. Since German Shepherd Dogs come in all shapes, sizes, and energy levels, we consider the personality, temperament, and requirements of the dog to make sure they will fit with your family. If the dog you listed is not the right fit, we will show you other dogs that are a better fit for your home. If we do not have a German Shepherd Dog for you at that time, we will add you to our pre-approved adopter's list, and you receive updates on new dogs coming into the program before listing them for the public to see.
All applicants interested in adopting must travel to the dog’s foster home location to meet the before adoption. If the foster homes are more than two hours away, we will attempt to find a meeting place a shorter distance if possible.
Before the adoption, all applicants must agree to a home evaluation visit done by a GSDRGA representative. Our representative will evaluate the inside and outside of your home to make sure it is adequate for a German Shepherd Dog. For out of area applicants, this is completed by a rescue in your local area.
In addition to the home evaluation, the following policies regarding your home also apply.
All our Dogs are primarily house dogs, and the applicant must agree to keep the dog in the environment they have become accustomed.
In some cases, GSDRGA does not require the applicant to have a fenced yard. It is desirable, but each person situation will be considered based on the dog they are adopting and the area in which they live. All applicants must have the ability to exercise the dog on a regular basis and in safe conditions.
GSDRGA will not adopt a dog to a person living in someone else's home without written permission of the home owner. This policy includes renters* and adult children living at home, with other relatives or with friends. GSDRGA does NOT allow adoption to anyone who intends to chain or tie their dog outside.
*For information about renting with pets, please click here.
GSDRGA reserves the right to reject any applicant based on the evaluation of their home and their ability to provide proper care and companionship for a new dog. GSDRGA also reserves the right to reject any applicant based on information provided by any of their references.
Once we have completed the process, and you have picked out your new family member, we will finalize the process with the adoption contract. Our standard adoption donation is $300 for each dog. This donation helps defer the high costs of veterinary care, food, and supplies needed to get our dogs prepared for adoption. Many times, the cost that GSDRGA incurs is much greater than the adoption donation.
All dogs receive the following care before adoption:
GSDRGA requires that all adopted dogs receive annual vaccinations and veterinary care from a licensed veterinarian.
GSDRGA will perform post adoption follow-ups at various times during the first year after adoption.
Most of all, we ask that your new German Shepherd Dog is a friend and a member of your family and that it receive all the love and affection dogs crave to be happy, healthy and well-adjusted pets.
The first step for all prospective adopters is to complete the adoption application, and pass the pre-approval process before scheduling any meetings with the dogs in our program.
All application requests are evaluated based on the information provided, such as children, other pets in the home, the time the dog will be left alone daily, living conditions for the dog, and previous GSD experience. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to care for a dog financially, including providing veterinary care, quality food, fresh water, heartworm and flea preventative, appropriate living conditions, and compliance with state and local licensing requirements. One of the most important factors we consider is your history of veterinary care for your pets.
Applicants with current dogs must be up to date on vaccinations and heartworm and flea preventative as verified by a veterinary reference. GSDRGA will reject any candidate whose current or past dogs were not kept up to date with all vaccinations and heartworm preventative without reasonable explanation and verification from their veterinarian.
Once all information is verified the applicant is pre-approved to start the process with the Dog listed on their application. Since German Shepherd Dogs come in all shapes, sizes, and energy levels, we consider the personality, temperament, and requirements of the dog to make sure they will fit with your family. If the dog you listed is not the right fit, we will show you other dogs that are a better fit for your home. If we do not have a German Shepherd Dog for you at that time, we will add you to our pre-approved adopter's list, and you receive updates on new dogs coming into the program before listing them for the public to see.
All applicants interested in adopting must travel to the dog’s foster home location to meet the before adoption. If the foster homes are more than two hours away, we will attempt to find a meeting place a shorter distance if possible.
Before the adoption, all applicants must agree to a home evaluation visit done by a GSDRGA representative. Our representative will evaluate the inside and outside of your home to make sure it is adequate for a German Shepherd Dog. For out of area applicants, this is completed by a rescue in your local area.
In addition to the home evaluation, the following policies regarding your home also apply.
All our Dogs are primarily house dogs, and the applicant must agree to keep the dog in the environment they have become accustomed.
In some cases, GSDRGA does not require the applicant to have a fenced yard. It is desirable, but each person situation will be considered based on the dog they are adopting and the area in which they live. All applicants must have the ability to exercise the dog on a regular basis and in safe conditions.
GSDRGA will not adopt a dog to a person living in someone else's home without written permission of the home owner. This policy includes renters* and adult children living at home, with other relatives or with friends. GSDRGA does NOT allow adoption to anyone who intends to chain or tie their dog outside.
*For information about renting with pets, please click here.
GSDRGA reserves the right to reject any applicant based on the evaluation of their home and their ability to provide proper care and companionship for a new dog. GSDRGA also reserves the right to reject any applicant based on information provided by any of their references.
Once we have completed the process, and you have picked out your new family member, we will finalize the process with the adoption contract. Our standard adoption donation is $300 for each dog. This donation helps defer the high costs of veterinary care, food, and supplies needed to get our dogs prepared for adoption. Many times, the cost that GSDRGA incurs is much greater than the adoption donation.
All dogs receive the following care before adoption:
- Examination by a licensed veterinarian
- Vaccinations (rabies, parvo, distemper, Bordetella)
- Spay or neuter
- Heartworm test
- Heartworm treatment (if necessary)
- Heartworm and flea preventative
- Treatment for any illness and injury
- Lots of love and some basic training (by our fosters)
- Socialization with other German Shepherd Dogs
GSDRGA requires that all adopted dogs receive annual vaccinations and veterinary care from a licensed veterinarian.
GSDRGA will perform post adoption follow-ups at various times during the first year after adoption.
Most of all, we ask that your new German Shepherd Dog is a friend and a member of your family and that it receive all the love and affection dogs crave to be happy, healthy and well-adjusted pets.
