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Adoption Process

Our adoption process is designed to help you and the right dog find each other. Our goal is to place each dog into a permanent, safe, and loving home.

To adopt a German Shepherd Dog from us, you must:

  1. Complete an Adoption Questionnaire, either online, or hard-copy (pdf format). If you do not own your home, you must have your landlord complete the Landlord Letter.
  2. Be interviewed by an adoption counselor.
  3. Choose, and be chosen by, the right dog.
  4. Live in one of the 14 Northern California counties we serve.
  5. Allow a home visit by an adoption counselor.
  6. With our approval, sign our Adoption Agree ment, and pay the associated fee.

If you come to an Adoption Day, the process of adopting can be completed in any order; otherwise you must complete an Adoption Questionnaire before we can assist you further. Normally, all our requirements must be met. Home visits may be waived in rare circumstances. We do not adopt to homes outside of Northern California.

After we receive your online Adoption Questionnaire, we will call you to begin the adoption process. Due to our home visit requirement, we only adopt to homes in Northern California. We encourage potential adopters to come to one or more Adoption Days because that is the best way to meet several German Shepherds and to find your new companion.

If you attend an Adoption Day and choose a dog, you may be able to adopt the same day, if all adoption requirements are met. The entire adoption process can be completed on the same day, or it may take longer.

If you can not come to any Adoption Day, we will try to assist you using email, the mail, and the telephone. This will probably take longer because the people who will help you are volunteers who usually have jobs, and scheduling meetings with dogs can be complex because our dogs live in many homes and kennels.

 

                

My Best Birthday
Post Date: 5/22/2015 4:14:08 PM

Last year on my birthday in early May, I returned from a business trip on a sunny Saturday afternoon.  My husband met me in the driveway to tell me he had a present for me waiting around the corner in the courtyard. "Be careful," he said.  "It's breakable, so walk very slowly and carefully."  I tiptoed around the corner expecting to see a fountain or flower pot or something for the garden. Instead, sitting behind the gate was a handsome German Shepherd with big brown eyes. He was quiet and clearly frightened.  I spoke softly to him, and as his tail started wagging, my heart filled with love and tenderness for this huge, gentle soul.    It has been a year since K9 joined our family from the GSRNC program.  Bob Jachens rescued him from the Long Beach shelter after he was dropped off by his owner because he was "old” (nine years) and "the ear infections were too much to manage."  Bob was very supportive as was Rob and the other selfless volunteers in organizing our adoption and making it as seamless as possible.  Also, the recommended veterinarians were responsive and dedicated to resolving K9’s ear infections. Yes, there were challenges with ear cleanings, ear drops, allergy determinations and special foods, but look at our big boy now!  He no longer runs into the garage to hide or cries because his ear hurts. He is confident and even plays and runs with our 50 pound collie mix.   We start each day by telling him "K9 you are loved, you are a good dog, and you are home forever."  Whenever he hears that, he straightens his ears and wags his tail.  I really believe he understands. We feel so lucky to have found K9. He is a gift from the angels…or would that be from Bob?!  Thanks to all of you who donate, adopt or help these dogs each day, even a little - it makes such a difference. 

Photos


Important Note About Dog Descriptions

Please remember that the descriptions of dogs (of Dogs Available) have been written by GSRNC volunteers and are usually based only upon our observation of the dog since the time it was rescued. While we try to provide dog descriptions that are fair and accurate, the nature of our work involves contact with dogs whose background and history are unknown to us. GSRNC cannot warrant or guarantee any dog's future behavior. For example, if we say that a rescue dog gets along with children, cats, or other dogs, this statement is usually based upon the fact that one of our volunteers has observed the dog interacting with his or her own children or pets. While this information may be helpful, we cannot be certain of how a dog will do with the children or pets in your home. If you are considering adopting, we encourage you to come to one of our Adoption Days and meet our rescue dogs. Ultimately, only you can decide whether one of our dogs is right for you.