Our Process
Our adoption process includes an application, phone interview, vet reference check and home inspection. Additionally, an adoption contract must be signed stating that the dog is to be returned to the Northwest German Shepherd Rescue if it can not be kept for any reason. All pets are altered, UTD on shots, and micro-chipped prior to adoption.
What We Need From You...
Please complete the Adoption Application to the best of your ability prior to submitting questions about particular dogs. Send the application to info@northwestgermanshepherd.org.
In order to determine the best possible match for our rescue dogs and your family, we need some information about you. The completion of the application is not only the first step; it is also the most important step. Information that you provide on the application will help us to determine which dog will fit best in your household.
We have a limited staff of volunteers who are able to answer questions and only those applicants who have a completed application on file will be emailed in response to questions.
Phone Interview
After you have completed the application, our volunteers will review your information. If there are additional questions or if something needs to be clarified, a volunteer will call or email you for a response. Your application will then be assigned to an adoption counselor who will contact you for a phone interview.
You can expect to spend 10-25 minutes on the phone interview with the counselor. Based on the outcome of your interview, you may or may not be put in touch with a foster home. If you are put in touch with a foster home, you will be able to direct specific questions to the foster family about the dog that you are interested in. You will then be able to make an appointment to meet the foster dog.
Adoption Appointment
At the adoption appointment, you will be asked to bring all members of your family, including your other dogs, if you have them (interactions between the dogs needs to be observed) to the home of the foster family. You should plan on spending approximately one hour with the dog. Please come prepared with questions and items to bring the dog home, if you have already had an approved home visit. Plan on getting down on the ground with the dog, spending time on a short walk, and allow time to observe the dog’s interaction with his/her foster family. German shepherds are an aloof breed, not known for accepting strangers easily. What you observe of the dog with his/her foster family is similar to what you could expect of the dog with your family if you proceed to adopt.
If you decide to adopt the dog and the foster family approves of the adoption, you will be asked to complete an adoption contract and to pay an adoption fee prior to taking the dog home. Please review the contract carefully.