How to find a dog to adopt from this Website:

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.

Tracking GSRSV's Adoptions

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 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 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.

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 had not spent his entire life with me.

It was heartbreaking to lose Sage, but the happiness that dog brought me outweighed the heartbreak by any measure. In Sage's memory, I ask this of all prospective adopters: PLEASE CONSIDER ADOPTING AND OLDER DOG. Old dogs don't stand a chance in the shelters, and rescue groups are hesitant to pull old 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.