Thank you for wanting to make a difference for a dog in need. We look forward to the opportunity to help you choose an ideal new addition to your family. Timing is EVERYTHING when it comes to a successful adoption. Please give long and careful thought to whether or not you are in a position to care for a large breed dog and to commit to its needs for the rest of the dog’s life. If you are fortunate, you German Shepherd will live 12-13 years, so before you begin the process, think about where you will be 2, 4, 6 or ten years from now.
Due to our limited resources and limited volunteers, we are only able to place dogs in the greater Southern California area, Las Vegas, and parts of Arizona. We hope to one day be able to expand our operation. If you are located in an area other than one of these, please check your local shelter to rescue a dog that might otherwise not survive.
The following information may be helpful for you as you proceed:
Please remember that we are an all-volunteer organization and that we give thoughtful consideration to each application submitted. It may take up to 7 days before your application can be reviewed by one of our volunteers.
Our process begins with a completed application. We are not able to begin the process without a completed application. Applications may be completed online (preferred) or via hard copy during any adoption event.
An adoption counselor will respond via phone or email to talk to you further to learn more about your preferences, experience with shepherds, activity level in your home, etc. to help make good recommendations for you.
We show our dogs at adoption events at local pet supply retailers every weekend. Please visit our EVENTS calendar on this site for specific locations and dates. While it is possible to meet dogs by appointment at their boarding locations, we recommend coming to an adoption event as this will provide you with the opportunity to view the largest selection of dogs at one location. GSROC does not own our own kennel. Our dogs are housed either in private homes (foster care) or in boarding kennels throughout Orange County. We are not able to accommodate visits to our boarding facilities without a pre-set appointment.
We insist on meeting the entire family prior to placing a dog in your family so that we are assured that everyone is comfortable with the decision to adopt, with the size and nature of German Shepherds, with the commitment associated with adopting a dog, etc.
We recommend that you bring your existing dog(s) to the adoption event when you are coming to select a new canine family member. This will allow us to help you with introducing the dogs for maximum success.
GSROC requires a home visit prior to a dog going home. We realize that some other rescue groups do not have this requirement, but we want to ensure that our dogs get off to a great start. During the home visit, your adoption counselor will point out any potential hazards, toxins, escape routes, fencing issues and indicate whether any corrections need to be made prior to taking a dog home. We always recommend having your home visit completed BEFORE you fall in love with a particular dog as this will expedite the process significantly.
Your new companion dog may go home with you once your home visit has been successfully completed! We will send home some tips for what to expect during the initial acclimation period. In general, we believe that it takes approximately 30 days for a newly adopted dog to begin to feel safe and secure in a new home.
And they all live happily ever after!