Happy New Year to our friends, family, and supporters:
Time is a truly wonderous phenomenon. It can make an event seem like it happened yesterday when in reality decades have passed. We are honored to celebrate with you our remarkable milestone—30 years of the German Shepherd Rescue of New England! The bold vision in 1996 of Janice Ritter and Pam Devlin to save German Shepherd Dogs from uncertain fate has blossomed into a thriving, region-wide, all volunteer 501(c)(3) rescue organization. Following the philosophy that the dog’s welfare comes first and foremost, our passionate volunteers have saved the lives of nearly 750 German Shepherd Dogs!
To honor this special anniversary, we have chosen the pearl, the traditional symbol of a 30th year, as the commemorative emblem for this milestone. A pearl starts as a tiny piece of sand, an irritant and intrusion into the oyster’s otherwise ordinary life. Rather than rejecting it, the oyster responds with patience and care, transforming it layer by layer into something luminous and precious. We cannot think of a better metaphor for dog rescue. With time, compassion, and steadfast perseverance, even amid heartbreaking and exhausting circumstances, our volunteers have turned uncertainty into hope and second chances into forever homes.
We invite you to celebrate with us all year long! Follow our website, social media platforms, and our monthly newsletter, The Shepherd’s Watch, to stay informed about fun and exciting activities throughout the year. Each month we will feature a GSRNE dog success story, a living, breathing testimony to the work we hold so dear. Also, watch for new merchandise coming to our online store honoring our 30 years of making a difference together.
We begin by kicking off this anniversary year with an ambitious fundraising campaign, with a goal of raising $30,000 above our average annual donations. Over the past three decades, rescue costs have risen significantly. Each dog we welcome into GSRNE requires a minimum of $2,000, and complex medical cases can exceed $10,000. Your generosity has saved the lives of dogs like Akylla, pregnant and suffering from serious injuries after being hit by a car; or Brave, arriving emaciated and neglected from an untreated pancreatic condition; or Juno, requiring emergency surgery after eating a rock. Donations can be made through the Donations page on our website, via planned giving through a DAF or QCD (details available on the donations page), or by mailing a check to:
GSRNE
P.O. Box 299
Wayland, MA 01778
As we begin this anniversary year, we look forward to celebrating 30 Years of Rescue: A Legacy of Loyalty, Love, and Life Saving with all of you.
With heartfelt gratitude,
The German Shepherd Rescue of New England
