Animal shelters, emptied during the pandemic, are overflowing with surrendered and abandoned dogs, German shepherds among them.
We knew, as the pandemic descended, that many adopted dogs would be returned when the world normalized. An estimated 30 to 35% of dogs adopted from shelters in the last two years are showing up, homeless once again through no fault of their own.
Moreover, the ever-prolific puppy mills, operated by misguided people who breed German shepherds for profit, continue producing puppies. Just last month, Second Chance German Shepherd Rescue came upon a pregnant GSD whose humans left her tied to a pole at a house they’d abandoned, just days before she whelped. Luckily, one of our volunteers found an organization that cares for pregnant dogs. (Mom gave birth to a healthy litter of five.)
Just as more adoptable shepherds appear in shelters and are found abandoned in parks, playgrounds and city streets, we’re sensing a moment of hesitation among potential adopters:.Shelters report the same. These are unsettling and uncertain times and, in such circumstances, people tend to hesitate before making a commitment to adopt. We have seen this before and believe it will again return to normal. Meanwhile, the need for our engagement and support is greater than ever.
- One obstacle prevents us from saving more shepherds now: Foster families.
Each day brings us opportunities to rescue more adoptable, beautiful dogs, but until we have foster homes, we must leave them to uncertain and perhaps – no – future.
Your continuing financial support is critical to our rescue work. and we are grateful for every dollar. Our costs, like your own, are going up. The price tag for every dog we rescue this year to jump from $650 to $750. You - members of our supporting community - always come through for us. Money is critical but ...
The need for foster families is every bit as great. The rewards for fostering a GSD as she awaits adoption into her forever home are enormous.
We recently asked a couple of our steadfast foster volunteers to speak about their experience of fostering a GSD - one has fostered 30 dogs over the years, another took a pregnant GSD and fostered her puppies, too, until they found their permanent homes.
These testimonials were recorded at a recent adoption day, one of two we host every month at a Pet Food Express store, one in Roseville, one in Martinez. Dates for these events are always posted on our website www.SCGSR.org. Click on "adoption process.'
SCGSR provides full support for foster families - veterinary, fees food, beds, toys, crates and other supplies are provided free of charge - and offers consulting from experienced fosters for the questions and concerns that may arise. Our group also provides 'substitute' fosters for those times when a foster family must be away.
The joy of seeing a once shy or traumatized dog grow calm and trusting and quickly learn manners and skills is unparalleled, foster volunteers say.
Foster families with children often say the experience teaches young people how to be responsible adults. Those young people in turn feel great pride assuming responsibility for care of a GSD.
You needn't take it from us. Click below to hear about the fostering experience from people who know all about it - and do it again and again.
