German Shepherd Rescue and Adoptions

Adoption Application

We are only accepting applications from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia at this time.  We just do not have the resources to handle applications from other states.  We encourage you to consider your local rescue and/or shelter.

In addition, we are an all volunteer organization and and we will process your application as quickly as possible, however it may take up to two weeks or longer for us to complete the process.  We apologize for this inconvenience in advance but we are short-handed when it comes to applicant screeners.  Perhaps you would like to help volunteer in this area?  If so please fill out a volunteer application and we will be in touch.  If you are interested in fostering please fill out a fostering application.

Please understand, rescuing a dog from our organization is not for everyone.  We are very selective when it comes to finding the right home for each and every dog we save.  Just because you are interested in a particular dog doesn't mean that he/she is a good match for you.  Many of our volunteers have been matching people and dogs for a long time and are very good at it.  We are therefore committed to finding you and your family the right dog, this could take anywhere from 2-3 weeks to 2-3 months, but we are dedicated to and work very hard to find a dog for each and every approved individual/family that we have.  If you are not interested in waiting this long than perhaps our rescue is not for you.  If you are sincerely interested in finding the right dog and time is not a huge concern then consider putting in your application and getting the approval process completed, then when we find a dog we believe is a match we will contact you.

There is a non-refundable $15 application fee required prior to processing your application.  It will be applied towards the adoption fee if/when you adopt from us or will be used as a donation towards medical treatment for our dogs if you choose not adopt from us. 

Click here for payment options and an explanation of how the money is used.

We are currently experiencing a high volume of adoption applications, due to limited volunteers and resources it may take us 3-4 weeks or longer to process your application.  We will do our best to contact you sooner if at all possible but please be patient. 

 
 

APPLICANT INFORMATION

* Required Fields
*First Name    Middle Name
*Last Name
Co-Applicant (full name of spouse or other  
*Address

*City             *State                               *Zip Code

*Type of residence:   House   Condo    Townhome   Apartment  Mobile Home 

Other     

*Do you:   Own       Rent     Other

*Home Phone:               Work     Cell          

*E-mail address

Today's Date (mm/dd/yy)
*How long have you lived at you current  address?
*Are you planning to move in the near future? Yes   No
Location

 

DOG PREFERENCES
Are you interested in a particular dog(s) from our current list - if so please list name(s)  here. 
* Sex of Dog Male Female Either 
* What size do you want your dog to be when fully grown?
Do you have preferences for the color of your dog?
Do you have a preference for the age of your dog?
Alternate size, weight, color preferences - please describe.
*Who is the dog for?
*Have you ever owned a German Shepherd before? Yes No
If no, have you done any research on German Shepherd's? Yes No
*What traits of the German Shepherd especially appeal to you?
* Have you ever owned dogs before? Yes No
If yes, what happened to them?
* Why do you want to own a dog?
*What expectations do you have for this dog?
*Please describe any specific traits you are looking for in an adoptive dog.
* Why would you choose a rescue over a breeder?
* From your perspective, what are the pros and cons of owning a dog?
* Are there any circumstances under which you would give up a dog?  Please explain.
*Have you ever given away, sold or surrendered a dog before and why?
 
*Have you ever been charged with animal or child abuse? Yes  No    If Yes, When:

 

HOME ENVIRONMENT
* Explain the pet policy where you live. (ie any covenants, restrictions, pet deposits, etc)
* Do you have a fenced-in yard? Yes No
If yes - note the approximate size of the fenced area, and height and type of fencing material.
Where will the dog be kept when you are not at home?
* Approximately how many hours of the day will the dog be alone?
* Where will the dog be kept during the day? 
* Where will the dog sleep at night?
* What type of exercise do you plan to give this dog?
* Who will have primary responsibility for the care of your dog?
*Number of adults in household?
*Number of children in household?
Please list ages of children.
*Do you have any cats? Yes    No

Please list all animals currently living in your household

Name   Type   Age  

Sex:  Male  Female         Spayed/Neutered Yes  No

Time Owned      Kept: Inside  Outside
Name   Type   Age  

Sex:  Male  Female         Spayed/Neutered Yes  No

Time Owned      Kept: Inside  Outside
Name   Type   Age  

Sex:  Male  Female         Spayed/Neutered Yes  No

Time Owned      Kept: Inside  Outside
Name   Type   Age  

Sex:  Male  Female         Spayed/Neutered Yes  No

Time Owned      Kept: Inside  Outside

 

 

VET INFORMATION
* Do you have a veterinarian you have used before or plan to use with your new dog? Yes No
If 'yes' please provide name, address and telephone number(s).
*Are your pets current on all vaccinations, rabies shots, heartworm and fecal tests? Yes  No
*Are your pets current on heartworm preventative? Yes  No
*Date of last vet visit?
Note: We will contact your veterinarian to verify that all current pets are up-to-date on vaccinations.  Unless there is a good reason, we will not adopt to persons with unvaccinated or unaltered animals.

 

* Have you and your family discussed the pros and cons of owning a dog? Yes No
* Do you and your family understand that owning a dog requires a lot of energy if the dog is to be properly cared for? Yes No
* Do you and your family understand that a dog requires a 10 to 15 year commitment Yes No
*Are you willing to take your dog to obedience training? Yes No
*Are you willing to consult a trainer or behaviorist if problems developed? Yes No
*Are you willing to use a crate (portable cage) as a housebreaking and transitional aid? Yes No
* Do you realize that costs of pet ownership (food, toys, heartworm and flea prevention, and vet fees) are approximately $600 - 1,000 per year. Yes No
* Are you financially prepared to give your dog the routine medical care it requires? (Heartworm preventative, annual booster shots, annual check-up, etc.)  Yes No

 

AUTHORIZATION

Please read each statement carefully and check the box to show that you understand.
I understand that completing an application does not mean that I will be able to adopt a dog from GSR&A
I understand that there will be an adoption fee for the dog, which will be used to partially offset the veterinary expenses incurred by GSR&A
I understand that all rescue dogs are spayed or neutered before adoption. A rescue dog will not be bred.
I am able to afford regular (at least annual) veterinary care and heartworm preventative for the dog, as well as emergency care, if needed
I understand that GSR&A cannot hold a dog for me while my application is being processed and that being approved to adopt does not mean I will get the first dog I have interest in.
I understand that any inaccurate or incomplete information can be reason for refusal.
I understand that a rescue dog has already suffered the loss of at least one family.  I will support GSR&A's efforts in facilitating that the next home is a permanent one by allowing GSR&A to:
  1. Interview me
  2. Discuss my current and previous pets and their care with my veterinarian
  3. Make a scheduled visit to my home to inspect fences and other areas where the dog will be kept.

 

Is there any other information that you wish to call to our attention? (If so, please enter that information below.)

Application submitted by
Volunteer (if not submitted by applicant)