Trying to find a rescue/group home for German Shepherds

13 years ago

An elderly friend has had to go into a nursing home/rehab facility. She is older and in poor health, both mentally and physically.

I'm trying to find a rescue group to take her two German Shepherds. Both are beautiful, pure German Shepherds, neither is very well socialized. She lived alone and they listen to her perfectly. They are protective and not too interested in other people.

For the time being her son has arranged for them to be fed by a neighbor. They have food, water, shelter, and are checked on daily, but that's no life for them.

I'm trying desperately to help to find a home for these two dogs. A male, Thunder Drummer, and a female, Raven Dawn. They have potential; they are smart and alert. They need human socialization.

Can you point me in a direction to find a rescue organization for them? I've contacted several groups on the 'net, but no answers so far.

Her son lives in Mississippi. Any home/shelter in the south would probably be accessible to us.

The son's wife is recovering from lymphoma; they already have three dogs. We have Harry and Sam. There is simply no way we can take on German Shepherds with the issues these dogs have - but we can't just have them put down, either. It would break all our hearts.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions you can offer.

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Comments (10)

emma
13 years ago
I do not know of any, but I do know there are rescue organizations out there for every breed. Try Googling German Shepard rescue for your state or neighboring states.
alisande
13 years ago
Ditto EmmaR. There may be more rescue groups for GSDs than most other breeds because so many people buy them without knowing much about the breed other than they're smart and beautiful.

Try contacting these people:

German Shepherd Rescue and Adoptions

If they can't get directly involved, they may be able to refer you to an organization that can.

Also, your local animal shelter probably keeps a list of rescue groups.
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Thanks for your answers. It didn't occur to me that there may not even be any dogs! Now I'm thinking I should contact the attorney generals of both states before March 25 because its possible they will close up shop if they aren't going to deliver on that date as promised. Its funny that we have a bit of a shortage of dogs here in NE. There are some lab and shepard mixes at the shelters, but I just don't want a big dog. I don't know tho, maybe I can get dh to move up to medium sized. We are more likely to find a local one then. The want ad is a good idea. I'll ask on Freecycle too. Kathy
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Ginny thanks for sharing this story.
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Okay, good information. And Kudos to you for adopting and what a regal dog !!! My first concern would be a physical problem and the vet NEEDS to check out your dogs back and back end to make certain there is nothing wrong physically. Nerve problems in the back can make it so your dog has NO IDEA of when it is time to go. You wrote: "~ We never yell or hit him when he has an accident. We just show him and tell him, "NO . . . bad dog! Kennel!" Pick up the poop and take it and him to the kennel where we put it down and say, "Kennel . . . good dog, kennel" We then meticulously clean the rug using a good quality dog accident cleaner & deodorizer. " This connect negativity with bathroom works and you should really stop doing it. THIS "Ronin has an accident perhaps once or twice a week, although never peeing. All the other times, we/I just take him out to the kennel and lock him in until he goes, when we let him right back in, praising him, "Good dog, kennel!"." Is also not a good idea. Next I would call the foster person and ask if they had the same problem. If all that turns out to be normal and this is a new behavioral problem I suggest a couple of things - First you have had the dog 3 weeks and he is going through a period of transition - so you are bound to have something come up. You wrote that he is okay with other dogs and people and he gets kennelled on a rgular basis. All okay *BUT* you have failed to write ANYTHING about his daily walking routine!!! This dog should be taken out on a leash walk at least 3 times a day. For at least 15 minutes a day. NO LESS. Im not tqlaking just a quickie around the block where the dog sniffs a couple of bushes. Im talking find a good fire road or an area where your dog can really get in a good pant. DONT let him stop and sniff the bushes or rocks or anything else JUST a good walk at a good clip. Just when you are heading back to the car - let your dog stop and sniff the bushes. Hopefully the regualr walks will help alot - they usually do. Be careful not to go to the same place for his walks. I suspect your new charge is bored, and not stimulated enough. But that is just based on what you wrote....When your dog does do its duty. It is important to first give your dog a command to poop - it should be unemotional. Just a fact - go make a meadow muffin....when the dog does, praise him highly. As if he has just brought you a bag with a thousand dollars in it. If your dog likes privacy (mine does) just make certain you bring a longer leash so he can hide behind a bush or tree for his duties. Another part of the training is to take his present and take it outside to a place where you will walk your dog daily. Be certain to stop and let him sniff his stuff, give the unemotional command and praise him....good luck - let us know how it goes.
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Now I'm angry! I went to meet Elmer at lunch ... he was in the lobby with a volunteer who was about to take him for a walk. We went into a meeting room instead and got to spend some time with him. He was a wonderful dog ... sweet, calm, loving, just wanted to be petted. So I went out to speak to the person at the window and told him I had put in an application for Elmer yesterday, and had come to meet him today. Another woman farther down asked my name, and when I told her she said she had just left me 2 messages and they had approved my application, and wanted me to adopt Elmer. I was thrilled. We talked about when they were open and how Saturday was a zoo, so i told her I would take the rest of the afternoon off of work and go home and get Lily and bring her back. That it would take me a couple of hours, but I would be back. She said great, he would be there for me. So I go back to work, tell them I'm taking the afternoon off, drive 40 minutes home ... get changed, take Lily out, get back in the truck with Lily and head back into the city. Arrive at the Buffalo City Animal Shelter 1.5 hours after I had first left. I walk to the counter and the same guy that was there and listening to our conversation earlier was at the counter. I said I'm back to do a meet and greet with Elmer, I brought my Lily to meet him. He says, he's gone. I said, excuse me? I told her, the woman at the other window I would be back and she said he was mine. That woman said, Oh good, you're back for Elmer ... they guy told her, he's gone ... she said, no, he can't be gone ... they all then disappear into the "Directors" office. Turns out, the Director wanted me to adopt him but didn't know I had shown up or responded to their phone call. So she went and adopted him out, within that 1.5 hours, to someone else. The other woman was flabergasted and I was pissed. Still am ... amazing amount of non-communication. And the guy at the counter was there during all the discussions, but obviously didn't say anything. The Director wouldn't even come out of the office and apologize ... I got a lame "sorry" from the guy. Can you tell I am still so angry? He was such a great dog, exactly the big furry, calm, mushy dog I'd been looking for. I'm giving up for a while ... too many other things going on in my life to keep dealing with these emotional ups and downs at the moment.
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woodie
13 years ago
This is an organization in California, but if you are really desparate they might be able to advise you on a similar organization in your geographic area. Best wishes.

Here is a link that might be useful: Big Dawgs Rescue
kim_okla
13 years ago
Here is one in Tulsa that might know someone. I know someone who got a beautiful full blood Shepherd from them.

Here is a link that might be useful: Oklahoma GSD rescue
wildchild
13 years ago
This a a virtual rescue in North Dakota. They don't house dogs but they will list them to match with new owners or foster care.

Here is a link that might be useful: ND GS Rescue
nodakgal
13 years ago
Have you tried 4 Luv of Dog in Fargo or Prairie Paws in Jamestown Carol? They aren't breed specific, but are both good rescues
User
13 years ago
A rescue would be ideal, but I have had good luck finding homes for a couple of dogs by posting a pic and info on Facebook. Also some vet's offices have bulletin boards in their waiting rooms for this sort of thing. Good luck in finding good homes for the dogs!
alisande
13 years ago
I would be very cautious about posting a public ad. Facebook is good if only your friends see it, or trusted friends of friends. But too many people are trolling "free to good home" ads, looking for dogs to train for dog fights, or cats/kittens/puppies to use as bait. Disgusting, but true. Dog fighting is big business in PA, where I live, and other places as well.
caroline94535
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for all the good info. It will help.

The dogs, and the owner, are in Arkansas; her son is in Mississippi, and I am in North Dakota, trying to "help."

He is busy between taking care of his wife's medical (lymphoma) needs, his mother's medical (many issues and some dementia) needs, and his jobs. I wanted to help by finding info about placements for the dogs. He will be the one working with his mother to allow them to be placed once I find good places.

EmmaR and Alisande - that link is one of the groups I've sent a letter to. They were helpful and sent me links to two GS rescue groups near my friend's son.

Woodie2 - I noticed all the groups in California. It's so sad that people get "a cute puppy" having no clue what dog ownership means and the differences in all the breeds.

Hi KimOkla - I will contact that group, too.

WildChild and NoDakGal - Thanks for the info; I'm putting it in my address book for future reference. Since the dogs are in Arkansas I'm trying to find something closer to the son.

Vicki7 and Alisande - Thanks for posting. I'm not on Facebook, and never, ever will be, but I do appreciate your caring enough to help, too.

I did ask my vet, but the desk staff didn't have any info. Since Harry and Sam have financed at least two of their kids' college educations, LOL, he should have offered to adopt them himself. (In my not-so-humble opinion! LOL)

We will work this problem until we have safe, caring homes for these two dogs. It will be the type of home where I, the son, or my brothers can check on them whenever we feel the need. I also expect to help cover at least some of the dogs' expenses.
User
13 years ago
It's so kind of you to offer help. You can find all kinds of rescue orgs through yahoo groups. Go to yahoo groups. Just type in "animal rescue Arkansas" for a list. Same can be done for Mississippi, where the son is and North Dakota, where you are. You do need to join a group but members are very friendly and helpful and they have email lists that link them to all sorts of other types of rescue help. For instance, transport. There are groups who volunteer to get dogs from point A to point B...there are even pilots who offer help. Doesn't matter how far the distance between A and B.

I hope you are able to find a home for them and one where they can both go to. It will be traumatic enough for them to lose their owner. I'd hate to see them separated. Poor babies.

Good luck and, again, thank you, so very much for caring!

E

Trying to find a rescue/group home for German Shepherds

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Trying to find a rescue/group home for German Shepherds

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