Please check out our web site at www.shepherdrescue.org for more information about our dogs, our adoption process and to download an application. You must have a fully approved application on file prior to privately meeting our dogs. We do not have a facility, all our dogs are housed in private foster homes throughout MD/DC/VA areas. More information available on our web site, so please read through our web site before emailing questions, as it might save us both some time!

VGSR can only adopt dogs out in the Virginia/Maryland/DC area, no exceptions.

Although donations of all types are needed, our primary need is foster homes for our lovely dogs while they wait for their new family to find them. Fostering is an extremely rewarding experience. Vet care is paid for by our rescue, and we can even provide you with food. All YOU need to add is love and security.

The adoption process starts with the applicant filling out the adoption application. This can happen at any time during the process, before or after having met a GSD that might be the ideal companion. (It's an advantage to have a pre-approved application on file with VGSR. It should be stressed here that being pre-approved does not mean that any potential adopter can select any available dog at will and take that dog home immediately. VGSR will exercise its best judgement as to which GSD will be the best match for that specific adopter based on a number of qualifying criteria. Many GSDs that come to us are matched up with their new people very quickly because their people have been pre-approved.) The applicant then submits the application form with a non-refundable $10.00 processing fee. VGSR reviews the application, then schedules an interview and home visit during which a number of questions are asked and the home is reviewed to be sure there is a contained/safe yard, and to meet the family involved. Once the application is approved, the applicant is asked to submit a $250.00 donation to VGSR, and the adoption is completed.Marine is young, handsome, Black & Tan male GSD that came to VGSR due to his previous young military owner's death under tragic circumstances. He was handed off to family members unwilling to raise a young GSD who took him to a Vet to be euthanized. Fortunately, the Vet convinced the owners to hand him over to them where he found his way into VGSR's care. Marine is just under 1 year old and is a very active, playful GSD as typical for a dog his age. He really loves people and is very affectionate with everyone he has met. He is very much a dominant, confident GSD that is very playful, active and a bit mischievous. He doesn't appear to have received a lot of formal training but is very submissive to human commands and eager to listen and learn. In 1 week in foster care he has adapted to crate training and is about 70% house-trained. He gets along well with other dogs and likes to play in a pack but sometimes can be excessively dominant and mouthy with other dogs. He is alert and protective around the house but not an excessive barker. Marine needs an active confident owner that can devote the time and training he needs to make the best of his dominant and energetic personality. If you are looking for a handsome young male GSD and have the confidence and energy to match his, Marine may be the boy for you. He will be attending Northern Virginia adoption days in the coming weeks.

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