German Shepherd Dog Placement and Adoption League (GSD PAL) is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to the rescue and re-homing of adoptable, purebred German Shepherd Dogs.
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We are staffed entirely by volunteers who donate their time and talent to provide re-homing services to German Shepherd Dogs in New Jersey, Delaware, and Southeastern Pennsylvania.
We don't have a shelter -- the dogs in our care actually live with our volunteers until we can find them appropriate permanent homes of their own. Dogs in foster care with GSD PAL are almost exclusively animals that we have removed from area shelters, after first evaluating their temperaments.
Since there are more dogs in need than we have room for, we also provide a referral service for German Shepherd Dog owners who must find new homes for their dogs.
If you are with a law enforcement agency local to our coverage area, and are looking for suitable patrol or scent candidates, please email us -- we may be able to help.
Please visit our website for more information on our organization, and check our Petfinder listings often -- our list of available dogs changes frequently.
What Are German Shepherds Like?
German Shepherd males typically weigh 80-100 pounds and females 65-85 pounds. The average lifespan is 12-14 years. German Shepherd Dogs are energetic, loyal, versatile, and intelligent. They can become bored if not given proper daily exercise for both mind and body.
These wonderful dogs enjoy many activities that are as much fun for the pet owner as they are for the dog, including obedience training, agility, flyball, tracking, herding, and therapy work. German Shepherds are also popular as guide dogs, in search and rescue work, as police K9 partners, and in detecting drugs and explosives. They are truly one of the most versatile of all dog breeds.
Adopting a Friend
Our adoption process begins with an application. The form must be printed and mailed via regular mail, along with a $10 application fee. This fee covers our cost to process your application; it does not obligate you to adopt a dog.
When your application is received, one of our volunteers will contact you and do a brief telephone interview, so that we have a better understanding of the traits a dog must have in order to be a good choice for you and your family. Then your references will be checked, and we will arrange to do a home visit at a mutually convenient time. Once your home visit has been done, we will begin introducing you to the available dogs that we believe would fit into your family well. We will not, however, choose a dog for you -- you'll know when you meet the right dog!
Sounds like a complicated process, but it isn't. Our mission is to help you find the right dog, and our process is geared toward meeting that goal. This can require some time and patience, but we would rather get it right than shortcut the process, and risk making a bad match between dog and adopter. We will work hard to help you locate a new companion, but we need your cooperation in order to be successful.
If you do decide to adopt a dog from us, there is an adoption fee of $175, which covers a portion of our cost to rescue and re-home the dog. If you decide to adopt a "senior ambassador" dog that is more than six years old, the adoption fee is $100.
Senior dogs make steadfast, devoted companions with a lot of love left to give. Their exercise needs are not as high as those of younger dogs, and they offer the first-time German Shepherd owner a unique opportunity to learn about the breed from a mature companion. They usually fit easily into a new family environment, and truly are ambassadors for rescue and adoption!
Whatever age dog you decide to adopt from GSD PAL, you will receive a dog that has up-to-date vaccinations, that is on heartworm preventative, and that has already been spayed or neutered prior to adoption. Unless otherwise noted at the time of adoption, your dog will be in good health, and will also be housebroken, crate trained, and leash trained.
Volunteering and Donations
New volunteers are always welcome at GSD PAL! There are lots of ways that you can make a difference, whether you foster dogs, make phone calls, or get out your baking pans when we're having a fundraiser. Our volunteers come from all walks of life, and are drawn together by an appreciation of German Shepherd Dogs. If you'd like to find out more, please give us a call at 609.268.2466, or email us. If you'd like to join in, please send in a volunteer form from our website. New GSD PALs are always welcome!
Can't volunteer, but you'd still like to help? Every donation we receive helps us help dogs in need. Our ongoing needs include leashes, collars, dog food, dog toys, large crates, office supplies, printing services, digital cameras, computers and other office machines, and good old-fashioned cash.
We are engaged in the rescue of one of the most popular breeds of dog in the United States, and we are based in one of the most densely-populated states in the country. Every donation makes a difference to us, because it helps us reach out a little further, to give one more adoptable dog a lifeline. Please visit our website for more information on how you can help. Thank you!
GSD PAL PO Box 305
Medford, NJ 08055-0305
Phone: 609-268-2466
Email:
gsdpal@erols.com
