Adoption Process

Step 1: Apply

Complete the Adoption Application

Step 2: 1st Contact

A GSDRI rep will contact you.

Please be patient, we all have regular day jobs

Step 3: Reference Check

References, veterinarian, and landlord are contacted

Step 4: Home Visit*

A visit to see where the dog will live and get to know you better. Also give you a chance to know us

Step 5: Meet and Greet

A visit with the dog to ensure the dog will accept all family members and pets

*A home visit is MANDATORY and we may not be able to complete an adoption if we don’t have a home visit volunteer in your area.

Adoption Fees

100% of the adoption fee goes toward the care of these wonderful dogs.

The health condition of a dog may cause the adoption fee to vary. The adoption fee allows GSDRI to provide necessary medical care of the dog from the time it is rescued until it goes to its forever home. This can include, but is not limited to, vaccinations, heartworm test, spay or neuter, worming and also costs for food and housing for the dog while in volunteer home care.

Age Fee
AKC Puppy 0-12 Months
$450
AKC Adult age 1-5 years
$400
Puppy 0-12 Months
$425
Adult age 1 - 5 years
$375
Adult age 6+ years
$350
Add $25 for out-of-state adoptions to help cover the cost of the mandatory health certification exam for any dog crossing state lines.

Questions About Adopting

Applying for a dog does not guarantee you will be selected to adopt that dog. We receive significantly more applications for puppies and certain dogs. Our criteria for selecting the adoptive home is based on the dog’s personality and requirements. To increase your chances of adopting the dog you want, ensure that the dog matches your lifestyle. In your application elaborate on why you think the dog is a good match, and how you are going to meet the dog’s needs.

A home evaluation is when a GSDRI representative comes and visits you and your family at your home. During the home evaluation, we compare the answers on your application with what we see. This is done to make sure that there are no false statements in your application and that your home is suitable for a large dog. During the home evaluation, we also get ideas about which dog might fit best in your home. We can talk all we want on the phone with you, but once we see your home and meet your family, we can decide which dog would be happiest living with you.

We want you and your family to be happy with your newest addition and vise-versa; everyone must co-exist nicely. However, if for some reason the new dog does not work out the new guardians must notify us ASAP. We will try to offer training tips, trainer referrals, etc. to help your newest addition settle in better. If nothing works and the dog just is not working out (which does happen sometimes) the dog must be returned to GSDRI.

This is one of the most commonly asked questions and one of the hardest to answer. It is all personal preference, it all depends on what you, and your family prefers. We don’t like to refer to the dogs as “older” but “middle-aged.” Puppies are very few and far between, so there is always a waiting list for them. Sure puppies are cute and cuddly, but also remember housetraining, getting up every couple hours to let the pup out, making new arrangements to let the pup out during your lunch break, teething, accidents, more teething, oh the horror!

Most people think that they have to get a puppy because “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” Oh no? Well, many rescued GSDs have become therapy dogs, search & rescue dogs, some have received their canine good citizen title, have become obedience professionals or have become agility champions at the ages of 2, 3, 4 and older.

As long as the dog has structure in its life, most of them are always willing to learn new things. They also tend to learn a lot quicker, too. In addition, just think most of the dogs that come into the rescue are between 2 and 5 years old. Some are housetrained already and few have accidents once they’ve adjusting to their new home. They have already gone through their rambunctious puppy stage that drives almost anyone nutty. They are content to sit and watch TV with the family instead of constantly being on the move; but are all for getting up to go for a long run, play an intense game of ball in the backyard with the kids or do some obedience work. Middle aged dogs can be a blessing for some families. Some people, who have already gone through the puppy stages want another dog, but do not want to go through the puppy stages, again!

They are more than happy to adopt a middle aged, more mature dog that still has its whole life ahead of them, without having to go through puppy stuff. As we said, middle aged dog or puppy, it is your preference. We can’t answer that one for you. All we ask is that you consider a middle aged dog, the shelters are full of them and most of the dogs that come to us are middle aged. Older does not mean geriatric, they still have so much spunk and get up and go. Don’t get us wrong, puppies are wonderful to have, but middle aged dogs can be just as fun and wonderful. Remember, puppies turn into older dogs; they don’t stay puppies forever (size-wise. Adult GSDs can be big puppies forever!).

The German shepherd dog aka GSD is a wonderful breed, but it is a “high maintenance” animal not suited for everyone. If you are unfamiliar with the German shepherd dog breed, please take the time to educate yourself about the breed before adopting one into your family. In the end, you will be grateful that you did your homework!

A courtesy post is simply that, a courtesy. A dog listed as courtesy in the available dogs is a dog that GSDRI has NOT evaluated nor have we accepted the dog formally into our rescue for various reasons. A lot of times an individual took in a GSD, and we are simply helping that individual get the dog more exposure. In any case, the dog has no affiliation with GSDRI.

The German Shepherd Dog - A Quick Glance

The German shepherd dog (GSD) breed was developed for service as a herding and general purpose working animal. The desire to “work” or do something is genetic and is stronger in some GSDs than in others. Most adult GSDs are loyal, loving, protective, and intelligent. Without proper training, GSD can also be rambunctious, destructive of property, and exhausting to live with. It is up to you to guide your dog to suit your lifestyle and that of your family. Most, if not all, GSD need training and a structured lifestyle to thrive in the home and become a canine good citizen.

The German shepherd dog is a large, active dog with a dense double coat. This double coat sheds year round, and produces even greater volumes of fur when the dogs “blow coat” in the spring and fall. Some shed more than others did, especially when not groomed on a regular basis. For some owners, this is not a trivial point.

You should consider the following recommendations as your basic commitment to your new GSD:

  • Take an obedience course to assure that you are the dog’s leader.
  • Be prepared to socialize your dog by exposing it to as many people, dogs, and situations as possible to develop its confidence.
  • Vigorously exercise the adult GSD at least 20 minutes daily.
  • Brush the coat often; every other day or weekly is recommended.
  • Trim nails, clean ears, and brush teeth as needed.
  • Before a problem gets out of hand, be willing to call a trainer, behaviorist, or a member of a local rescue group for help.

Ready to Adopt? Complete an Adoption Application!