GSRSV is a tax-exempt public charity, as defined under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All donations to GSRSV are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. 

Since February 2001, Brian Foran has funded GSRSV primarily on his own. Donations have played--and continue to play--a huge part in keeping GSRSV afloat, as adoption fees are a drop-in-the-bucket compared with the costs of running a large rescue program. (See the actual numbers for 2007-2011 here.)

Please consider making a cash donation to GSRSV today, either by clicking on the PayPal button below, 

or by mailing a check, made out to GSRSV, to: 

GSRSV, PO Box 652, Pleasant Grove, CA 95668.

Any size donation is appreciated. Please help in any way you can!

Tracking GSRSV's Adoptions

Unselfishness Saves Lives!
Thank You to Spencer & Michelle Millar for Saving Shelter Dogs by Fostering--and Letting Go

Meet 12-yr old Spencer Millar, pictured at left with Jake, a shelter dog that he and his family fostered for just over two months. Spencer has demonstrated amazing maturity and unselfishness by his willingness to let Jake and the other dog that he and his family fostered for GSRSV go to permanent homes--even though he was given the option of keeping them. (If you think it was easy for Spencer to let go of Jake because Jake didn't mean much to him, one look at the picture to the left will tell you otherwise.) 

The Millars absolutely loved Jake, and couldn't say enough good things about him. But they already have two permanent dogs, and three dogs is their limit. If they were to keep any of the dogs that they foster, they know they wouldn't be able to foster any more dogs. The Millars also loved Emmett, the dog they fostered prior to fostering Jake. If they were to have kept Emmett, GSRSV would not have rescued Jake from the Merced County Shelter, and Jake would likely have been euthanized. 

The Millars realize that there are plenty more Jakes out there in California shelters. Michelle, Spencer's mom, also recognizes how fostering dogs is teaching Spencer and her younger son Parker that, in order to save dogs one at a time, they need the fortitude to let go of the ones that they foster and love.   

Won't you join the Millars in their unselfish commitment to foster a dog at risk? Please contact Brian at 916-655-3125 or bab43@msn.com for more information.

ABOUT FOSTERING DOGS

Is fostering a dog a sacrifice? NO! It is a pleasure! 

The rewards of knowing that you've saved the life of a sweet, beautiful German Shepherd dog (or any other breed), and made that dog feel loved, are MUCH greater than whatever inconvenience the dog may cause or the pain of letting him or her go to a new home. 

If you, the German Shepherd-loving populace, will not extend a helping hand to the numerous German Shepherds housed in area shelters and facing euthanasia, WHO WILL?

PLEASE consider fostering a German Shepherd for GSRSV! See the page Save a German Shepherd's Life: Become a Foster Caretaker. 

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 in Northern California shelters. 

Petharbor.com, a Website that lists dogs (and other animals) in shelters nationwide, has a great 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 criteria 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 no longer lists any dogs in Northern California shelters (don't have the time), 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.

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 GSRSV Picture/Story Scrapbook page. Mail pictures/stories to Brian Foran at bab43@msn.com. 

"Gus"

Older Rescued Dogs Make Wonderful Companions!

"Queenie"

Think that an older dog will not make a good family companion because it's too set in its ways?" Think again! Older dogs, more so than younger dogs, live to please their caretakers. Furthermore, hip dysplasia in older German Shepherds is much less of a problem than commonly believed, and general arthritis is readily treatable with coated aspirin (yes, ASPIRIN) and glucosamine/chondroitin 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." 

Testimonials of those who have adopted older dogs from GSRSV

Bob Warner adopted Krista from the Sac County shelter, with GSRSV's assistance, on 7-1-10. Here's what Bob had to say about Krista in December 2011:

"Krista has become a wonderful friend--so gentle and friendly that everyone enjoys her. She is an excellent example of why adopters should consider older dogs."

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.

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