Adoptable Dogs
The dogs listed on this page are available for adoption. If you are interested in adopting a dog, the attached adoption application must be completed first. An adoption counselor will be in contact within 72 hours after a completed application is received. Due to the high volume of inquiries that we receive, we are unable to answer general questions without a completed adoption application.
Disclaimer
Our volunteer staff does its utmost to evaluate the dogs in Rescue. We utilize information from prior owners who have surrendered their pets, notes from shelter staff who evaluate the dogs that are in shelters prior to entering Rescue, and observations from foster families once the dogs are in Rescue.
Our intent is to make the best placement for the dogs based on our observations, and to disclose to adopters as much information as possible. However, adopters must realize that the dogs’ behavior can (and often will) change based on their environment and household dynamics. Our desire is for a successful, long-term placement, and we will do our very best to walk adopters through any behavior issues that may arise. The rescue does not adopt any of our dogs into homes with children under the age of 8 years old.
Changing families, households, and canine and/or feline companions can cause stress during the first several days/weeks in a new family. In the event an issue develops, please email info@northwestgermanshepherd.org for guidance and suggestions to ease the transition. Our goal is for a successful adoption and we will do our very best to make that happen.
A special note about cats and small dogs
German shepherds are a herding breed with a strong prey drive. We do our best to evaluate their reaction (and interaction) with cats and small dogs, but any potential adopter must realize that we are unable to predict future behavior and they must further realize the dog’s innate predisposition to stalk, herd, and potentially injure smaller animals. Successful placements of German shepherds in homes with cats and/or small dogs is possible, but diligence on the part of the new owner is crucial, as is consistency and constant vigilance, especially during the first several months.
A special note about children
A volunteer staff is careful to evaluate the incoming dogs to Rescue to determine if they may or may not fit into a household with children. However, as previously mentioned, differing household environments, as well as differing leadership styles, affect the dog's reactions.
As referenced in the special note about cats and small dogs, German shepherds are a herding breed by nature, Children with their quick movements and sometimes erratic behavior trigger the same herding instinct in dogs as cats and other small animals. This herding instinct results in dog that will often chase after, and possibly nip at the heels and calves of children.
The volunteers do their best to evaluate the foster dogs to determine if they are suitable for families with children, but we are unable to accurately predict future behavior. Families with children who do adopt a rescued shepherd must be cognizant of the shepherds' predisposition for herding and provide the necessary supervision.
Additionally, small children are especially unpredictable in their behavior. Parents must supervise interactions at all times., a toddler who jumps on a sleeping dog, or falls off of a couch onto a resting doc, can equate to a potential bite situation. We must put the burden of safety and supervision back onto the families who adopt the dogs and reiterate the importance of constant supervision at all times.