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 and healthy 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 wonderful friendship for many years to come.

• Anyone requesting to adopt a dog must complete an adoption application prior to consideration and agree to a binding adoption agreement at the time of adoption.
• GSDRGA limits adoption to applicants in metro Atlanta and the surrounding regional areas.
• If you are in the southeast region and are interested in adopting a dog, you must travel to Atlanta to meet the dog prior to adoption. Only in certain circumstances will we consider an applicant more than 4-6 hours driving distance from Atlanta.
• All adoption applicants are evaluated based on information they provide, while considering the personality, temperament and requirements of the dog they are requesting to adopt. For more information regarding this, please read Adoption Selection Process below.
• All adoption applicants must agree to a home evaluation visit done by a GSDRGA representative prior to adopting any dog.
• GSDRGA requests a standard adoption donation of $200 for each dog. This is donation is used to defer the costs of veterinary care, food and supplies needed to care for our rescued dogs.
• In some cases, GSDRGA does not require the adoption applicant to have a fenced yard. It is desirable, but each applicant's situation will be considered based upon the dog they are adopting and the area in which they live. All applicants must have the ability to exercise the dog safely.
• GSDRGA will not adopt a dog to an applicant living in someone else's home without permission of the home owner. This includes renter's and adult children living at home, with other relatives or with friends.
• All of our German Shepherd Dogs are primarily house dogs. The adoption applicant must agree to keep the dog in the environment it has become accustomed.
• GSDRGA does NOT allow adoption to anyone who intends to house, chain or tie their dog outside.
• GSDRGA requires that all adopted dogs receive annual vaccinations and basic veterinary care from a licensed veterinarian.
• GSDRGA will perform post adoption follow ups at various times during the first year after adoption.

All dogs receive the following care prior to 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

Applicants Current Pets: Adoption applicants current dogs must be up to date on vaccinations and on heartworm and flea preventative as verified by a veterinary reference. GSDRGA reserves the right to reject any applicant based on information provided by one of their references. GSDRGA will reject any applicant whose current or past dogs were not kept current with vaccinations and heartworm preventative without reasonable explanation and verification from their veterinarian.

Ability to care for the dog financially: Applicants must demonstrate the ability to care for a dog financially, including providing basic veterinary care, quality food and fresh water, heartworm and flea preventative, appropriate living conditions, and compliance with state and local licensing requirements. GSDRGA reserves the right to reject any applicant based on the evaluation of their living conditions and their ability to provide proper care and companionship for a new dog.

Adoption selection process: Most shelters allow you to adopt a dog on a first come, first serve basis as long as you meet the basic qualifications. Our rescue operates a little differently. We will accept applications for a period of time, then pick the best qualified applicant from all applications received. Our adoption policies require that you visit the dog in their foster home initially. We will also verify your references during this time. For adopters outside the north-central Georgia area, we will request from you, a copy of your current or previous pets vaccination records from the vet who has treated them. For local adopters, we will call and verify your pet's vet records ourselves. We will also schedule a home evaluation visit. For out of area applicants, this may be done by another rescue in your local area. Once this process is complete, we will consider the all the applicants we have at that time, then select the most appropriate home. Even though you may not be chosen to adopt the dog you have applied for, it does not mean you cannot adopt another dog from GSDRGA. It only means you were not the most qualified applicant considered for that particular dog. We evaluate applicants based on the information you provide to us, such as children and other pets in the home, time the dog will be left alone, living conditions for the dog, previous GSD experience, the temperament of the dog compared to what type of dog you want to be a part of your family, your interactions with and reactions to the dog when you meet and several other factors. One of the most important factors we consider is your history of veterinary care for your pets. You will be notified if you are approved to adopt a dog, even if you are not chosen to adopt the dog for which you initially applied. Not every dog is suitable for every home and lifestyle. We will also notify you if we feel we are unable to adopt a dog to you for whatever reason we determine.

Most of all, we ask that your new German Shepherd Dog be regarded as a friend and a member of your family, that it receive all the love and affection all dogs crave to be happy, healthy and well adjusted pets.