German Shepherd Rescue of Sacramento Valley (GSRSV) is a tax-exempt (501-c-3), charitable organization dedicated to finding good homes for German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs) and GSD mixes at risk of being placed in shelters, or who are already in shelters and potentially facing euthanasia. GSRSV is an independent rescue organization operated by one individual: Brian Foran (left with Sierra, Aug 2008). Though countless volunteers and benefactors have supported--and continue to support--GSRSV, I run and primarily fund the program, as I have since February 2001.
Background
Prior to Feb. 2001, GSRSV was the rescue program of the German Shepherd Dog Club of Sacramento Valley. I volunteered for this program beginning in November 2000 by fostering dogs and eventually developing this Website. Weary of five years of rescue work, the woman who ran the rescue program for the breed club asked if I would take it over, and I did so on February 1, 2001. From that point on, GSRSV was an independent organization no longer affiliated with the breed club.
GSRSV's original focus was rescuing dogs from shelters, and the vast majority of the dogs I've rescued have come from shelters. (See the Rescue Records from 2000 to the present year in the menu to the left.) However, beginning in 2006, I began an effort to reduce the number of dogs that I personally care for. Because there are so many GSDs (and, of course, other breeds) in need of rescue at shelters, the only way to downsize was to stop taking in so many dogs from those shelters. However, I also receive numerous calls from individuals who need assistance in placing their own GSDs or GSDs that they have found, and I wanted to continue helping these dogs out. So now, my primary focus is on finding homes for other people's GSDs, while I continue to assist GSDs and GSD mixes in Sacramento-area shelters by posting them on my Website--and occasionally rescuing them.
How does GSRSV work?
GSRSV is essentially a fostering agency. I am not a shelter, and though I do have a facility to keep numerous rescued dogs, I do not have the means to accept dogs on a "drop off" basis. When I rescue a dog, I either keep it at my rescue facility in Pleasant Grove, or bring it to a foster home. Unfortunately, very few people are committed enough to foster dogs, which limits the number of dogs that I can rescue. If you are interested in becoming a foster caretaker, please let me know! The dogs at GSRSV's rescue facility live communally, without cages (except when eating), and nearly all are welcome in the house 24/7 via a dog door. I try to provide as much of a home environment for the dogs in my care as possible while I seek to find them permanent homes. Foster caretakers do the same.
Specialization
Adoption Policy
Following are the steps to adopt a dog from GSRSV:
1. Take a look at the Dogs Available for Adoption through GSRSV page to see if there is a dog that you're interested in.
2. Contact Brian Foran at either 916-655-3125 or bab43@msn.com for more information about a particular dog. At times, there may be other dogs available for adoption not posted on this Web site--be sure to ask.
3. STOP!!Please do not fill out an adoption questionnaire unless there is a specific dog or dogs that you're interested in AND you've discussed this dog with me!
Complete my Adoption Questionnaire (either a Microsoft Word ".doc" file or an Adobe ".pdf" file). There are three ways to submit the adoption questionnaire:
a. Download the Adoption Questionnaire from this page and type your responses directly into the document; then, save the document and attach it to an e-mail message to Brian Foran (bab43@msn.com). In order to do this with the ".pdf" file, you will need Adobe Acrobat software on your computer. While the document is not an online form, and your typed entries will move characters around, e-mailing a completed questionnaire is still the fastest and most efficient method to deliver it to me.
Note: if the .doc version of the Adoption Questionnaire opens into a Web document (".htm") rather than a Word document (".doc"), the information you enter into the document will likely not save. If this is the case, please send an e-mail message to Brian Foran at bab43@msn.com and request that he e-mail you a copy of the questionnaire. The questionnaire generally opens into a Word document when it is an e-mail attachment.
b. Print a copy of the GSRSV Adoption Questionnaire--Print Version, complete it, then send it to:
GSRSV
P.O. Box 652
Pleasant Grove, CA 95668
c. Request a printed copy of the Adoption Questionnaire from Brian
Foran at 916-655-3125 or bab43@msn.com. Then, complete
the questionnaire and mail it to the address above.
4. Once I review your questionnaire, I will call or e-mail you to further discuss the dog. If I feel that you are a good match for the dog, I will set up a home check. Please allow several days for me to review your questionnaire, as I do not go online every day and have many dogs to take care of in addition to maintaining my Website and replying to e-mail messages. The primary purpose of the home check is to ensure that the yard has a secure fence and no hazards for the dog(s).
5. If you have already seen the dog that you want to adopt, and I have determined that you will be able to provide a safe and secure environment for your new dog, you are welcome to adopt the dog that I've "pre-approved" you for.
If you have yet to see the dog that you want to adopt, that is the next step. Ideally, I would like to bring the dog(s) that you want to adopt to you so that I can see how the dog(s) responds in your home environment. However, if you live a good distance from my rescue facility in Pleasant Grove, I will likely ask that you drive to the rescue facility to see the dog(s) before your home check, or to adopt the dog here after your home check.
6. I will ask that you sign my Adoption Contract. Please read this contract ahead of time so you understand my expectations of those who adopt dogs through my program, and my commitments to adopters.
If you find that the German Shepherd you adopt from GSRSV does not work out, you can return it to GSRSV at any point during the dog's life. (If you return the dog within two weeks of adoption, I will refund your entire adoption fee.) This arrangement protects both the adopter and the dog--I want to make sure that my rescued dogs go to a home where both the owner and the dog are happy!
https://www.gsrsv.org/GSRSVAdoptionDogs.htm
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