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BEFORE YOU ADOPT

Buddy

Before you get a German Shepherd Dog, you will want to educate yourself on what the breed is like.

There are several ways to do this. Begin by reading some of the suggested material right here at GSRNE. Talk to people who own a GSD.

  • Just as importantly as educating yourself on the breed, you should evaluate the following truthfully:What you want and expect from a dog as the responsible owner. This includes activity level of the dog. Don’t get a bouncy young dog when you really want a quieter dog that will be content to lie around the house all day with you.
  • What the rest of your family wants and expects from a dog. This may differ from what you want. Again, consider activity level, size, sex, etc.
  • What your family members can handle (which is often different from what people think they want!).
    We have noted some general characteristics of these beautiful and intelligent dogs below to help you decide if a GSD would be a good fit for your family and your lifestyle.

General Characteristics of a German Shepherd Dog
The German Shepherd Dog (GSD) is a large, active dog with a double coat. This double coat sheds and sheds and sheds and sheds, year round, and produces greater volumes of fur when the dogs “blow coat” in the spring and fall. Some shed more than others, but be sure that your vacuum will become your best friend. For some owners, this is not a trivial point. Being a large dog, expect muddy paw prints in the house every time it rains.

The breed was developed for service as a herding and general purpose working animal. Their desire to “work” or do something is genetic, and is stronger in some GSDs than others. Many GSDs end up in shelters precisely because they are working animals. Their first family really just wanted a couch-potato. Think about this carefully!

Most adult GSDs are handsome, giving, loyal, active, loving, protective and intelligent. Without proper guidance and training, GSDs can be rambunctious, destructive of property, obnoxious, and exhausting to live with. It is up to you to guide your dog to suit your lifestyle and that of your family.

Many GSDs can also become overly protective/territorial if they do not receive the level of leadership in the household that they respect and want to follow. Who is really running the show in your house? Evaluate this objectively. If it isn’t you or your dog doesn’t believe it’s you, then your German Shepherd Dog will assume that responsibility himself, and will run things as a dog will, not as a human being will. (After all, he’s just a dog!) In many instances, the dog way of running the world is NOT how humans would like, and we get calls from owners about overly protective and territorial behaviors showing up and getting out of control. It all has to do with YOU.

Most, if not all, GSDs need training and a structured lifestyle to thrive and become a canine good citizen. Training is not something you do once in an 8 week obedience class…training is teaching. You need to make sure the dog is following your rules for most of the dog’s life!

In addition, your leadership skills are something you will employ all of the time. Clarity, follow-through, fairness, and showing your dog that there are immediate consequences for all actions (good and not good) make all the difference! If you do this kind of thing naturally or work on doing it, owning a GSD can be the most amazing experience of your life. If you don’t want to commit to this level of mental and physical stimulation for your dog, and to this level of leadership bearing that you and your household need to employ as a lifestyle, please check out other more suitable breeds. You won’t be sorry then.

Different types of GSDs look and behave differently, and to some degree, have different needs. Learn about these differences and ascertain what it is you really want from the dog. There are American line dogs, German line dogs, other European line dogs, etc. Many people love the idea of a novelty like a Czech-line dog, but are you really ready to take on a dog like that? Most families are NOT. By researching different types and their general attributes you can make an educated choice about what type of GSD is right for you.

GSDs are known for being an “intelligent” breed. Remember that “intelligent” can be a nice thing in that your dog can learn quickly *if* you communicate with him well. However, “intelligent” can also mean that your dog has a need for physical and mental activity and stimulation, just like an intelligent child does. A bored GSD will often find his own excitement and stimulation, which might include digging, barking, herding small children around, “creating” toys out of household furniture or the children’s toys, etc. GSDs need exercise, socialization, and mental stimulation almost every day to be on their best behavior.

Training never stops.

BE SURE TO READ: Should You Get a German Shepherd Dog?

NEXT STEP:  schedule a phone interview and after that we will send you the formal adoption application. Please phone us at 978-443-2202 and leave a message. One of our adoption volunteers will return your call.

OUR ADOPTION PROCESS

Milo

GSRNE places dogs in these six New England states (ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, RI). We cannot support long distance adoptions. If you are from outside New England, you may want to search on other GSD websites for information on GSD rescue groups throughout North America.

If any of the following situations apply to you, it is unlikely that you will qualify to adopt from GSRNE: We regret that some good homes may be passed up because of these requirements, but we feel that this policy is best for everybody involved taking the dog and family’s safety into account.

  • Homes that do NOT have a physically secure fenced area (minimum 5′ high) of at least 1000 sq. ft. (ex: 20×50) that is attached to the home so when the back or side door is opened, the dog goes directly into the fenced area.
  • Homes with children under the age of 7 years, whether the children live in the home or are regular visitors.
  • Applicants that rent their place of residence.

If any of the above apply to your situation and you would still like to talk with someone on our Adoption Hotline Team about your situation. Please leave your name and phone number, along with a convenient time to return your call.  It is important that you speak slowly and clearly so GSRNE can call you back.  We try to return all calls within 48 hours.

NOTE: If you do not receive a callback within 48 hours, please call back.  This means that your number wasn’t clear enough to understand.  When the volunteer calls back, they will go over our requirements for adoption as well as answer any questions you might have.  It’s a good idea to write down your questions so you won’t forget.

Click here to go to our Requirements for Adoption page for additional details.

After you have spoken to an Adoption Hotline Volunteer, they will send you an application (if you meet the requirements for adoption).  Read every bit of the Adoption Application packet that you receive.  This packet is complete with information about both GSDs in general and about adoption and how that works.

Have A Home Visit Done

Once the application is accepted, a GSRNE Home Visitor Volunteer will call you and make an appointment to visit your home to discuss the needs of a rescue German Shepherd dog with you and your family.  Usually we can get this visit done within a few weeks of your application approval.  This volunteer will sit down and meet with you, and check the safety of your property, etc. This is great time to ask questions, voice concerns, discuss what you love in a dog, what you would rather avoid, etc.
NOTE: We cannot “reserve” certain dogs for you to meet.  Completion of the adoption application and home visit interview begins the adoption process and helps us determine which dog in our program matches best with you and your family.

We reserve the right to refuse an application if the home situation or environment is deemed incompatible with the needs of our rescue German Shepherd dog.  Our requirements have been set through years of experience placing and rehoming rescue dogs.  Our emphasis is on the dogs’ needs.  Disqualification does not mean the prospective adopter would not be a good home, but that the situation does not meet our dogs’ best interest.

Meet the Dog!

If approved, the Adoption Coordinator will help you set up an adoption visitation appointment with the dog’s foster home to meet the GSRNE dog who best matches your family’s profile and requirements.  Because GSRNE has all of our dogs living in nice foster homes, not in kennels, we do not have a facility for you to visit.  GSDs do NOT do well in shelter situations, so we make sure that they are placed in a foster home until we can find a matched approved adopter for them.

This is the best way to meet a new dog.  You will see how the dog lives and behaves in a home environment.  Exclusive time is set aside by the foster home to be with you and your family, so that you can focus on the rescue dog you are meeting without the distractions or stress of kennel/shelter situations, or short-handed staff.  You can ask whatever questions you want about the dog from the foster home that has  lived with this rescue dog for over a month.  Your visit can be a relaxed and pleasant experience where you and the rescue dog are the focus.

Visitations to meet a dog may be set up right away, or can take some time, depending on the availability of dog(s) that match your needs and lifestyle.

Make Your Decision

After meeting the dog that seemed to match with your requirements, it’s decision time!  If there is a connection, the actual adoption begins.  If the match just isn’t quite right, we’ll figure out why, add that criteria to the search, find another dog who may make a better match, and another visit will be scheduled.  Because we take great care to find a dog that will match your lifestyle and preferences, it rarely takes meeting more than one, possibly two dogs, to find that ultimate new family member!

The adoption donation is $450 for dogs over 6 months up to 7 years of age, $550 for puppies up to 6 months of age and $250 for Seniors age 8 and older or “Special Needs” dogs.  These donations help to defray the rescue’s boarding and veterinary expenses, but does not cover the entire expense we incur for each dog.

This adoption donation covers the following:

  • Spay or neuter
  • Microchip
  • Heartworm, Lyme, Elrichea, and Anaplasma (4DX) test, where available, on dogs over 6 months
  • Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza and Parvovirus (DHLPP) vaccination
  • Rabies vaccination (dogs over 16 weeks)
  • Lyme vaccination
  • Fecal check and basic worming, if needed
  • Blood panel for senior dogs to check vital organ functioning, or dogs with obvious health issues
  • Treatment of any other health issue
  • Isolation and health certificate fees if needed to bring the dog into rescue
  • Leash
  • Collar
  • The dog’s favorite toy
  • A complimentary one-year membership to German Shepherd Rescue of New England, Inc., which includes a subscription to the GSRNE newsletter.

Our organization is comprised wholly of hard-working volunteers whose only reward is seeing these wonderful German Shepherd dogs in loving homes, given another chance for a happy life.  We will try to match you with a devoted, loving, loyal companion. Thank you for your interest!

Please Remember
We are all volunteers, most of whom work full-time day jobs, have our own dogs and families, and are doing this out of a desire to make a difference in the lives of needy German Shepherds.  We appreciate your patience while we work through the Adoption process.


READ NEXT:  Before You Adopt

#501 Elsa

“She passed with flying colors! She is so cute, isn’t she?”

You’re never too old to learn and achieve great things. Just ask GSRNE’S Elsa who just passed the CGC test and has received her Canine a good Citizen certificate at 7.5 years old.  (YAY !!) Congratulations to Elsa and her mom, Nancy!!

Directions to Springhill Suites (Our Auction Venue)

DIRECTIONS TO SPRINGHILL SUITES BY MARRIOTT in PEABODY

43 Newbury Street, Peabody, MA 01960

Springhill Suites by Marriot in Peabody, MA

Springhill Suites by Marriot in Peabody, MA

Type into your Car’s GPS: 43 Newbury Street, Peabody, MA 01960

For Directions via Google Maps: CLICK HERE

For Directions via Map Quest: CLICK HERE

Below are some rough directions on how to get to Springhill Suites by Marriott in Peabody:

From Boston, MA…

  1. Take Rt. 1 N towards Peabody
  2. Continue on US-1 N (Toll road) for 12.6 miles
  3. Turn right into the Springhill Suites by Marriott

From Western, MA…

  1. Take MA-9 E towards Boston
  2. Merge onto I-95N in Wesllesley
  3. Continue on I-95 N to Peabody for 26.7 miles
  4. Take exit 63B and keep left
  5. Turn left into the Springhill Suites by Marriott

From New Hampshire…

  1. Take I-93 S towards NH-101/Portsmouth/Salem/Boston
  2. Continue on I-93 N to Peabody
  3. Take exit 28A to merge onto I-95 N towards Peabody for 7.6 miles
  4. Take exit 63B towards Danvers and keep left
  5. Turn left into the Springhill Suites by Marriott

From Maine…

  1. Take I-95 S towards Boston
  2. Continue on I-95 S
  3. Take exit 63 for US-1 N towards Danvers and keep left
  4. Turn left into the Springhill Suites by Marriott

From Connecticut…

  1. Take I-84 E
  2. Merge onto I-90 E towards Boston/N.H. – Maine for 27.8 miles
  3. Continue on I-90 E for 16.6 miles
  4. Take exit 123 for I-95 N towards Boston/Portsmouth
  5. Take exit 63B towards Danvers and keep left
  6. Turn left into the Springhill Suites by Marriott

 

#392 Georgie

“If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart. I’ll stay there forever.”

The worst part about owning a dog is having to say goodbye, and no matter how long we have them in our lives that goodbye often feels far too soon. It is with a heavy heart that we announce that Georgie, GSRNE #392 has crossed the Rainbow bridge.

Deb and Fran you both are in our thoughts and prayers. We are so sorry for the loss of your beautiful girl, Georgie.  We never seem to have them long enough. We are very grateful that she crossed the bridge peacefully knowing how much you both loved her unconditionally.  Thank you for giving Georgie her lifetime of happiness with you. ♥️🐾

Georgie

#571 Kali

Kali and I have been busy traveling all over from NY to Northern Maine visiting and snowmobiling.

She has come such a long way and listens unbelievably.  Recently with all the snow, she has been able to see the deer we feed during the winter.  I have her set were as soon as she sees them, I say “ah” to get her attention and she ignores them.  Fortunately the deer can hop the cattle fence but Kali can’t.

I am very proud of her behavior and look forward to introducing more things to her.

Kali

#559 Packer

Brrr….🥶 It doesn’t seem to matter how cold it is outside GSRNE’S Packer loves his long winter hikes with his Mom.

Although it depends on the individual dog, most German Shepherds don’t seem to mind the cold.

We just LOVE this boy and think he’s so handsome!

Wish List

Kelsa enjoying a tennis ball provided through our Wish List!

Our dogs need lots of supplies to keep them happy, healthy and safe!  From durable toys, to crates, beds, flea and tick preventative, and even office supplies so we can keep the rescue moving and getting dogs into their forever homes.  For a more detailed list of items we currently need, please visit our Wish List at Amazon.

DID YOU KNOW? For privacy reasons Amazon will not share your address with us unless you add it to a “Gift Card” during the Checkout Process. We never share your information with other organizations and will only use it for the purpose of acknowledging your generosity and providing you with a receipt for tax purposes.  Thank you for visiting our Wish List.

Please remember we are a registered 501(c)(3) organization and all donations are tax deductible.