| ABOUT US... | Who We Are | Adoption Process | Application | Contact Us | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE DOGS... | About the Breed | Available Dogs | Adopted! | Available Soon! | Lost and Found |
| WAYS TO HELP... | Shop for Shepherds | GSRCA Events | Donate Now | Volunteer | Our Wish List |
German Shepherd Rescue of Central Alabama is an all volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit, 'No Kill' rescue organization. We rescue German Shepherds out of shelters and from abusive situations. We take in abandoned and stray dogs, and we take owner surrenders as space allows. All dogs are neutered or spayed, current on shots and have tested negative for heartworms before they are placed in their forever home. These dogs are kept in private homes and will be shown by appointment only. We do our best to help out any German Shepherd dog in need (primarily in the state of Alabama); unfortunately, we have limited space and finances. It takes time and money to get most of our rescue babies up to good health and full adoption status. We also help people who are having problems with their German Shepherds. We would like to help owners work through the problems rather than have to give their dog up.Needing to Find a New Home for your German Shepherd Dog?
The Adoption Process Please read this before calling, emailing or submitting an application
We are an all volunteer organization. We have many animals in our care, have families and full time jobs just as most of you do. We return calls and emails and process applications as quickly as we possibly can. We appreciate your understanding and patience. If you aren't willing to go through our process which normally takes about 3 weeks, please consider the many needy German Shepherd dogs in humane societies and shelters across Alabama. Their process to adopt is usually an instantaneous one. GSRCA procedures are in place to facilitate placing the right dog in the right situation. This provides a win-win situation for both you and the dog. With these facts in mind, this is the order of our application process.
1. Application~ Normally, we receive the online application the day it is filled out. If you are unable to complete the application online, we will mail you a paper application. Just call or email us with your address. Please allow several additional days for processing if you mail one in. *The average time for you to receive acknowledgement of your application is 5 working days.
2. Reference Checks~ After reviewing your application we will check your vet and personal references. Please notify those you have listed on the application to expect a call or email from us. If we have a question regarding your vet reference, we will contact you.
3. Home Visit~ Provided your application and reference checks are satisfactory, the next step is visiting your home for an in-home assessment. One of our volunteers, or someone from another rescue will do this. We will let you know, in advance who to be expecting a call or email from. *We do NOT bring the dog you are interested in on the home visit.
4. Decision~ Based on all the information gathered during the screening process, GSRCA will make a decision on whether or not to approve your application. It is not uncommon to approve an application with certain contingencies. However, if we decide not to approve you, you will be notified as well. We will also identify which dogs we believe will be best suited for your situation and ask that you meet these dogs, in addition to the one you prefer. We expect you to trust our judgment and experience in the selection process.
5. Meeting the dogs~ We show our dogs and complete adoptions from our Montgomery foster home by appointment only. We do not deliver or transport our dogs to you.
6. Adoption Contract~ Adopters must sign a legally binding adoption contract with GSRCA and submit the specified adoption fee. Adopters must remember that a newly adopted dog requires an adjustment period and they must be willing to give them at least 2 weeks to begin to adjust. GSRCA will be available to adopters for any assistance needed at any time for the duration of the adoption.
**ADOPTION FEES** October 1, 2007 - The standard adoption fee is $300 for most dogs. Seniors and mixes may have a reduced rate. It will clearly be noted in their bio what the adoption fee is. GSRCA has found it necessary to raise our adoption fee due to the costs of extensive vet care and rising food prices. The 1st stop for all our new rescues is the vet. They get a complete physical exam, fecal, shots, Heartworm test, and x-rays if needed. (It’s called an Annual, and all dogs should have one every year.) If they are not spayed or neutered they are scheduled for surgery.
Unfortunately many dogs are ill, severely malnourished, or full of parasites when they come to us…most often they have Heartworm infestation. These conditions require treatment…sometimes surgery. To be sure a dog can withstand surgery or the rigors of Heartworm treatment, blood tests are done and often antibiotics are administered.
In addition there are other conditions which may require specialists. Most common are orthopedic injuries and dental problems. These can be very costly to treat.
Then there is preventative care including monthly Heartworm medicine, flea and tick medication, and ear and skin care. Most importantly they are fed a quality diet without byproducts.
Every dog is unique and each requires different care to bring them to being ready for adoption. More often than not, the cost to bring one of these wonderful companions from being thrown away to being ready to go to a loving home is greater than the adoption fee. Our only purpose is to help the breed we love have the wonderful lives they deserve.
Out of state adoptions will be considered as long as the adopter is willing to come to Alabama to meet the dog. We usually have new dogs waiting to come in to rescue, so if we don't have a dog for you now, we may have one in a week or two.
We are a non-profit organization. There is nothing like the love of a rescued dog!
If you are interested in adopting one of these fine dogs, please contact us for an adoption application or complete the online application in its entirety.
Click here to fill out an application
Incomplete applications cannot be processed.
Our Featured Shepherd is...
BELLE
BELLE
Click on Belle's picture to read more about her.
Other Available Dogs
Check out our
Soon-to-be Adoptable ShepherdsMost of these dogs are heartworm positive and are waiting on funding to be available to treat them. The average cost of heartworm treatment is $350 per dog. Dogs typically do very well after treatment, go on to be adopted and live a wonderful long life.
Please consider making a donation to help these shepherds.
HOW YOU CAN HELP...
ANYONE can help GSRCA raise funds by starting a Fund Raiser with FirstGiving.
If you love German Shepherds but can't adopt one, please sponsor one. A sponsor agrees to medically fund a German Shepherd dog in the rescue system. Usually this involves, paying for spay/neuter, routine shots, and medicines. But, it can also entail more serious problems, such as heartworm treatment and other physical ailments depending on the dog. You will receive periodic updates and pictures of the dog you sponsor. One time donations are also appreciated. All monies go toward helping the dogs in rescue. The more funds we get the more dogs we can help. Email Chris Wilson, Secretary at gsrca_cw@yahoo.com for more information about sponsoring.WISH LIST:
- Chicken Soup for the Dog Lovers Soul
- Solid Gold Dog Food
- Canidae All Life Stages Dog Food
- Collars - adjustable medium and large (15-22 inch sizes)
- Leashes - 6 foot
- Long Nylon Web Leads - 10-15 feet
- Wire Crates - extra large (preferably 48" x 28" or at least 42" x 26")
- Heartworm Prevention - We mostly use Sentinnel 50-100 lbs, but any brand heartworm preventative will be graciously accepted and used.
Monetary donations are also welcome since most of the dogs we bring in have to be treated for heartworms. Donations may be mailed in directly to our vets office to pay on our outstanding vet bill. Any amount is appreciated!
Send to: Golden Animal Hospital
c/o GSRCA Account
6353 Atlanta Highway
Montgomery, AL 36117
Phone 334-279-7387
ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE
We accept donations via Pay Pal. The address for paypal donations is GSRCAdonations@aol.com
IN MEMORY OF...
Sheba
Sheba was 8 years old when she was taken into rescue having been turned in to a shelter by her owner...heartworm positive. She was a very sweet dog but was never at a point physically to withstand heartworm treatment. She died in May 2004 from the disease.
Rowdy
Rowdy was a young dog in the prime of his life, yet abandoned at an animal shelter. We lost Rowdy in August 2004 after the onset of his heartworm treatment. His body must have been unable to handle the harsh chemicals that must be used to erradicate the worms.
* Prevent Heartworm Disease *
Click Here to Learn about Canine Heartworm Disease 
Donate to GSRCA everytime you shop one of these stores!
GSRCA is proud to be an affiliate with JeffersPet.com . Click the link and a percentage of your purchase will be automatically be donated to GSRCA to help homeless shepherds. Tell your friends to shop JeffersPet.com and use the Promotional Code 4GSRCA
Order a new collar and leash, an "Udder tug", or a "rescue ribbon" for your car -
and 10-50% of your purchase will go to German Shepherd Rescue of Central Alabama (GSRCA).
IMPORTANT: You must indicate "GSRCA" in the message section of the check out process.
Visit our CafePress online store. We have German Shepherd Rescue shirts, caps, mugs and more for sale. Don't forget to check out the new 2008 GSRCA calendar!! We can also create your custom products by request. All proceeds benefit GSRCA.
Inky Paw has great German Shepherd items for sale!
DogTogs, Inc.
Custom-crafted dog coats and one-of-a-kind paintings!
RECENT ADOPTIONS
Click here to see more Happy Dog Tails!
News and Upcoming Events
The Alabama Animal Alliance, Inc. will open Alabama's ONLY Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic October 22, 2007
Go to their website and FIX YOUR PET! The Alabama Animal Alliance, Inc. is opening a groundbreaking facility to combat our area's severe pet overpopulation problem. It is well known that there are far too many healthy, adoptable dogs and cats than there are responsible homes for them. As a result, every day animals are euthanized in area shelters or left to fend for themselves along our county roads. The clinic will provide low-cost spay/neuter services to the cats and dogs of central and south Alabama.
Preventing the births of thousands of unwanted puppies and kittens will mean that these animals, as well as the offspring they would have had, will be spared short, often brutal lives. Reducing the number of unwanted animals will also reduce the threat stray animals can pose to our community.
While clinics like this operate in other states, the Alabama Animal Alliance's Spay/Neuter Clinic will be the first of its kind in Alabama. The clinic will be open for appointments beginning Monday, October 22, 2007.
Appointments can be made by calling the Alabama Animal Alliance Spay/Neuter Clinic at 334-239-7387 (PETS).
LOST AND FOUND
Losing a pet is a devastating ordeal. Many owners are not sure where to begin searching for their lost pets. This page aims to provide detailed suggestions that pet owners can take to recover lost pets. Following the article, GSRCA will provide a current listing of lost and found pets that we have been asked to assist.
Click here for Lost and Found Information
CALLING ALL FOSTER HOMES AND VOLUNTEERS!
What is fostering? Fostering a dog means that you allow one of our rescue dogs to live with you and be a part of your family. This means socialization, and basic obedience training, in addition to the usual care. We expect our foster dogs to be maintained in good physical condition, fed a nutritious diet, be in a securely fenced area when outside, and be on monthly heartworm preventative. A home visit is done prior to approval as a foster parent. Be prepared, a foster dog may be with you several months depending on the individual situation. Fostering is a serious commitment. We are desperately in need of qualified, responsible foster homes. German Shepherd Rescue of Central Alabama is turning away needy dogs every day because all of our foster homes are full. Some of these dogs may never make it out of shelters. Do not be afraid to foster because you think you will become too attached. When you see your foster dog respond to a complete stranger like they've been waiting for them all their life, you will understand what fostering is all about. They HAVE been waiting for them all their life, and you have been helping them find that perfect family. If you are interested in fostering one of these wonderful dogs, please fill out a foster application or send an email to gsrca_cw@yahoo.com
Volunteers are needed. You may not be able to sponsor or foster, but there are other things that you can do as a volunteer for the GSRCA. You can help return phone calls, help with transport, do home checks, and follow up visits. You can distribute information and flyers, or help organize fund raisers. You can do shelter walks looking for purebred dogs in need of rescue. Sometimes shelters are unaware of us, or are unable to call letting us know they have a purebred German Shepherd. Many of these wonderful dogs end up euthanised.
KENNEL CONSTRUCTION GSRCA broke ground on the kennel for our dogs approximately a year ago. It has the capacity to house at least eight dogs. The foundation is cement. It is heavily insulated for winter and air-conditioned for the summer months. It has a window that will allow fresh air in and natural lighting. There will also be a ceiling fan. It is lighted inside and outside, and even has a dimmer light so our dogs will rest more comfortably at night. It has four separate 4 x 8 foot inside runs. The dogs are separated from one another by a concrete block wall. These runs will each have a dog door to allow them outside into individual covered fenced runs also on concrete for easy cleaning. There is a flooring drain inside that will allow the area to be sanitized with no standing water. There is space enough inside the building to keep at least four large crates. Another door opens into the large fenced in play area for dogs that get along well with one another. It will be equipped with a doggie bath tub with a heated water source. Plus there is room for storage of dog food and supplies. It is not known exactly when the kennel will be completed. Fencing has yet to be purchased. As progress is made, updates will be given.
We have chosen Kuranda dog beds for our boarding facilities because they are so good for our dogs. We still don't have enough for all of our kennels. If you would like to donate a bed so another dog can sleep in proper comfort, please click here.
Links
Alabama Animal Alliance - Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic
Rays of Joy
beautiful stained glass pet urns
Educational Links
Dogs Deserve Better ~ No Chains!
Top Ten Reasons To Adopt A Rescue
Will You Remember Me? Training Links
Huntsville Obedience Training Club
Manners In Motion Obedience School
MADOC ~ Montgomery Alabama Dog Obedience ClubNutritional Links
Thanks!!
To the Rescue Sponsors and Foster homes...You help by getting these dear souls to an adoptable condition. Without your help, so many dogs would never get a chance to have the loving home they have always dreamed for and deserve.
To all our Adopters...Thank you for giving our babies loving homes. A rescued dog gives unconditional love. They understand that you have saved their life and they are forever grateful. Please send your "Happy Tails" to Petfinder and tell them about your new family member. This lets them know what a great service they are performing and that they are appreciated.THANK YOU! - to Pet Supplies Plus in Montgomery for your continued support and for inviting us to show our adoptable shepherds at your store. THANK YOU! - to the Petco Foundation for your recent donation of dog food! This helped us tremendously! We would also like to thank Petco in Montgomery for allowing us to come to your store November 17, 2007.
We are located just outside the city limits of Montgomery, AL. Please call or e-mail. The dogs are not located at the listed address. German Shepherd Rescue of Central Alabama
PO Box 640561
Pike Road, AL 36064
Phone: (334) 322-1811
Email: gsrca_cw@yahoo.comClick here for a list of pets at this shelter
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Site last updated on April 15, 2008
