How to find a dog to adopt from this Web site:

1. Click on the four selections in large font in the menu to the left, starting with “Dogs Available for Adoption through GSRSV.”
2. If you’re interested in adopting a dog available through GSRSV, read the page “How to Adopt a Dog from GSRSV.” That page describes my adoption process, and includes my adoption questionnaire and adoption contract. Please hold off from filling out the adoption questionnaire until after the next step! 
3. If you’re interested in adopting a GSRSV dog, contact Brian Foran at 916-655-3125 or bab43@msn.com to learn more about the dog. (You will likely receive a much faster reply by calling than by sending an e-mail message.) If the dog seems like a good match for you, Brian will ask you to fill out and submit the GSRSV adoption questionnaire.
4. If you’re interested in adopting a dog from another rescue group, an owner, or a shelter, contact the person or shelter listed for that dog.

Thank you to all those who helped with Sandra's veterinary expenses. 

Another angel called home.......

If you have or plan to adopt a GSD, you NEED to know about "bloat!" Please read the info below.

Learn how to avoid bloat in your dog, and how to recognize the symptoms. Please click on this link to open a very informative Webpage about bloat. I recommend printing the article and placing it where you can immediately access it if you suspect that your dog is experiencing bloat. Click on this link for a printable MS Word version of the article.

Urgent Foster Appeal:
"Cutie & Daisy", Butte Humane Society
Scheduled to be Euthanized 7-7-09
Posted 7-1-09

"Cutie & Daisy" are two GSD mix sisters who were surrendered by their abusive male owner to the Butte Humane Society late June. The sisters are both very timid of people and undersocialized with other dogs, but have shown no aggression towards either. 

The adoption specialist has been working w/ Cutie & Daisy to draw them out of their shells, but it has been slow going in the shelter environment. Due to space limitations, the specialist has only until July 7 to find a foster home for the dogs or miraculously make them "adoptable." 

Cutie and Daisy will certainly make faster emotional progress in a foster home, but it will still be a long process, and will require a lot of patience and TLC. 

Please contact Brian Foran at 916-655-3125 or bab43@msn.com.

Adoption/Foster Appeal:
"Rocky II", Yuba County Shelter
Posted 6-23-09

"Rocky II" is a big, handsome 3-yr old male GSD who was surrendered by his owner along with a Siberian Husky  on 6-22 due to them killing his mom's chickens (no big sin for such dogs). 

Please see the page Dogs Available for Adoption from NorCal Animal Shelters for shelter contact information and the dog's ID number. 

If you're willing to foster this dog for GSRSV, please contact Brian Foran at 916-655-3125 or bab43@msn.com.

Adoption/Foster Appeal: 
"Sugar", Sac County Shelter
Posted 6-15-09

"Sugar" is a super-friendly, playful adult female GSD mix at the Sac County shelter on Bradshaw Rd. She's been there since 6-05.

Please see the page Dogs Available for Adoption from NorCal Animal Shelters for shelter contact information and the dog's ID number. 

If you're willing to foster this dog for GSRSV, please contact Brian Foran at 916-655-3125 or bab43@msn.com.

Ouch! Another Rescued Dog Takes a Big Bite of GSRSV Finances!

"Raja",

Raja is the second dog I've rescued so far in 2009 whose veterinary expenses have exceeded $2600. Won't you please help me bear this financial burden by making a donation to GSRSV? 

Please either make a check out to GSRSV, or click on the Pay Pal "Donate" button below. If writing a check, mail to:

GSRSV
PO Box 652
Pleasant Grove, CA 95668

Thank you very much for your support!

Before You Consider Adopting a Dog from a Rescue Group (including GSRSV), Please Consider Adopting One from a Shelter! 

Though there are certain advantages to adopting a dog from a rescue group, those dogs are safe. Those in shelters are at high risk of euthanasia! If you don't already know, you'd be horrified to learn about the  number of beautiful German Shepherds that are euthanized every week at Sacramento area shelters. 

Petharbor.com, a Website that lists dogs (and other animals) in shelters nationwide, has an amazing feature that makes searching for particular types of dogs in shelters of your choosing MUCH EASIER! The feature provides free, daily e-mail notices (with pictures) of any dog(s) that meet your specifications at the shelters that you've specified. The feature is free, lasts for 30 days, and is instantly renewable! Please click here for directions on how to subscribe to Petharbor.com's shelter animal search feature.

Also, see the page "Dogs Available for Adoption at Sacramento Valley Animal Shelters." Though it never lists more than a fraction of the GSDs in area shelters, it does provide the contact information for many of the shelters.

Please Remember that Most Dogs with Rescue Groups Come from Shelters Themselves!

Take a look at the "slide show" link here, and you'll see what happens to many perfectly adoptable dogs--including German Shepherds--at shelters. Caution! This slide show illustrates a tragic real-life event at a shelter in Atlanta, GA--the same event that takes place everyday in Sacramento-area shelters. The slide show will likely make you very sad--which it should. Please forward the link to anyone you know who might not understand the everyday tragedy at animal shelters nationwide.

Feature: 
GSRSV Picture/Story Scrapbook!
Send me your favorite photo and/or story of the dog(s) you adopted from GSRSV, and I will post them on the new GSRSV Picture/Story Scrapbook page. Mail pictures/stories to Brian Foran at bab43@msn.com. 

Los Angeles Strives to Implement a "No-Kill" Policy for Its Animal Shelters

Read this uplifting editorial by Ed Boks, Director of L.A.'s Dept of Animal Services. Wouldn't it be uplifting if Sacramento's shelter administrators (including the SPCA's) and politicians had the will to pursue such a policy--and allocate the $$ to make it a reality?

Older Rescued Dogs Make Wonderful Companions!

Think that an older dog will not make a good family companion because it's set in its ways?" Think again! Older dogs, more so than younger dogs, live to please their caretakers. Furthermore, symptomatic hip dysplasia in older German Shepherds is far less common than believed, and mild dysplasia is readily treatable with supplements. For an excellent information resource on older dogs, see the Senior Dogs Project Website, and their"Top Ten Reasons to Adopt an Older Dog." 

In Memory of Sage
? - August 10, 2004

"Sage" was my #1 dog, the successor to my long-time German Shepherd friend Buddy. I rescued Sage from the Sac City Shelter on September 13, 2002. He was a mature dog (8- 10 yrs old), but healthy and full of life. Originally, Sage was one of many GSRSV dogs up for adoption. However, he quickly won my heart with his devotion and adoring eyes. Soon, Sage was off the Website and in the house, sleeping right next to me.

Sage was a model to break all the myths about adopting an older dog: he bonded immediately with me, was very obedient, and adjusted well to several different boarding situations. There were times when I had to remind myself that Sage did not spend his entire life with me.

It is heartbreaking to lose Sage, but the happiness that dog brought me outweighs the heartbreak by any measure. In Sage's memory, I ask this of all prospective adopters: PLEASE consider adopting an older dog. Old dogs don't stand a chance in the shelters, and rescue groups are hesitant to pull older dogs from the shelters, knowing that they will likely not be able to find them homes. Old dogs are so grateful for the gift of love and a home, you'll never regret adopting one.

So long, Sage. I loved you so much.