Dogs

Greater Houston German Shepherd Dog Rescue

Houston, TX 77208

About

Greater Houston German Shepherd Dog Rescue (GHGSDR) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. We are a breed-specific group dedicated to the rescue of German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs); and do not knowingly accept mixed-breed dogs into our program. Our GSDs are obtained from public shelters where they are scheduled to be euthanized or they are given to us directly by their owners. All dogs receive the necessary health care, including spaying/neutering and are micro-chipped and then are placed in a foster home until they are adopted. Our dogs are guaranteed a place in our organization throughout their life. We provide information and education to the community with emphasis on the importance of spaying/neutering and heart-worm prevention, and we work with transporters, animal shelters and other rescue organizations to develop a better life for all GSDs. GHGSDR is guided by three core values: dedication, integrity and compassion.

Pets available

Dogs

Adoption process

Step 1 - Congratulations on Your Decision! Application Submission - Your application will help us better determine which, if any, of our German Shepherd Dogs currently may be the right dog for you. Please to be as detailed as possible in your answers. After we receive your application, please allow 2-3 weeks for processing. Once your references have been checked, someone will contact you to schedule a home visit. Please alert your references that you have submitted their name as a contact for your application and that someone from Greater Houston German Shepherd Dog Rescue will be contacting them. If you are renting, please provide your landlord information as we will be required to contact them to confirm eligibility of having a pet on premise and any restrictions the landlord may have regarding a pet. We do not adopt to homes with unaltered pets unless there is a medical or other acceptable reason for ownership of a non-altered pet. This will need to be documented via your vet and your application. We do not normally adopt out dogs under the age of 6 months to homes with children under the age of 7 years. We may be unable to place a dog in your home due to our inability to perform home visits outside of the Greater Houston area. Most dogs require a minimum transitional period of several weeks. The first few weeks may be challenging while your new dog adjusts to his/her new surroundings. Adding a new dog to the family upsets the balance of your current "pack" no matter how good the match. Your resident dogs will need time to adjust to your new dog and you may become stressed as a result. Please remember that we are here to help walk you through any difficulties you may encounter. We recommend that dogs go home at the beginning of a weekend or other time such as beginning of a vacation, when you will be home to help advance the adjustment period comfortably. Step 2 - Anything Worth Having Is Worth Waiting For - Please Be Patient. Veterinary Reference Check. Please do not apply if the below information cannot be verified by your veterinarian. Your application will be denied if any of the below requirements are not met: Your vet must confirm that ALL dogs have been regularly on heartworm preventative, the entire time they have been in your care (unless there is a verifiable medical reason for ceasing heartworm preventative). Your vet must confirm ALL pets are altered (spayed/neutered) unless there is a medical or other acceptable reason for ownership of a non-altered pet. Your vet must confirm ALL pets have a consistent history of recommended immunizations, vaccinations, medications, and health checks/screenings. If you have a different immunization/vaccination/medication schedule with your veterinarian, tell us about it, and we'll be happy to consider it as we review your application. On your application, list the vet(s) that have the most current information regarding your pet(s). If you have additional information to share regarding the health of your pet(s), please note it in the "comments" section of your application. Please call the vet you have listed on your application and give them permission to release your information to us. We try our best to call them within 48 hours of receiving your application! Personal Reference Check - Upon approval of the vet reference check, we will contact your personal references. It is important that you provide us with references that know you well. If you have pets, please make sure you choose references who know you, your pets, AND how you care for those pets. We require at least one non-family member as a reference. Home Visit - Upon approval of the veterinary reference check and personal references, you will be contacted and a home visit will be arranged. Please note that ALL family members must be present during the home visit. The home visit will be performed prior to adoption. No adoptions will be approved without a home visit. All homes must have an existing, secure fenced yard, with shade, access to water, and shelter so that the dog is protected from the weather when outside. Promises to fence in a yard are not accepted. We will make a second home visit if the fence has been replaced or repaired. Please note that the intent of our visit is not to see how clean your house is! The purpose of our visit is to see the environment that the dog will be living in, to ensure that adequate provisions are made for the dog's care and to discuss dog ownership with you. Approval - Once all reference checks (vet, personal and landlord, where applicable) and the home visit have been completed, an adoption coordinator will contact you. If we have further questions or concerns, they will be discussed at that time. If the vet reference check and home visit prompt no further questions, and the adoption coordinator is confident that you can provide an excellent home for one of our dogs, a volunteer will notify you of your approval as soon as possible. At that point, you may start visiting with dogs. GHGSDR is a 100% volunteer organization. Please allow two to three weeks to process and review your application. In most cases, applicants are approved or declined within 5-10 days.