FAQ

Yes. While we love ALL dogs (and cats!), we are dedicated to finding homes and providing resources specifically for German Shepherd Dogs.

We are a foster-based rescue in New Orleans, Louisiana. This means our dogs are placed in foster homes while they wait for their forever families. We do not have a shelter or any other “brick and mortar” facility.

We are a strictly volunteer-based non-profit rescue. All of our dogs live in foster homes. As such, every interested adopted must have an approved application on file BEFORE arranging any meeting with a specific dog.

All of our dogs are advertised on Petfinder and the website. If you are interested in meeting one of our wonderful dogs, please take the following steps:

1. Read the adoption policy and fee information.

2.  Complete the online adoption application.

3.  Expect to wait 2-3 weeks before your application is approved. (This may very well happen much more quickly but remember we are entirely volunteer-based and our volunteers are working full time jobs as well.)

4.  During this time, your references will be contacted and verified, including vet references.

5. Once #4 is complete, someone from the rescue will reach out to you to schedule a home visit.

6. After your application is approved, we will work with you to schedule a meet and greet with the dog you’re interested in.

Many, if not all, of our dogs have been cast aside or otherwise let down by their human caregivers. We are dedicated to finding the very best homes for our dogs so they can learn to trust and know they will be safe for the rest of their lives. Because of our promise to the dogs, our application is long. You might think it’s annoying but they deserve the very best we can give them and that means we gather a lot of information to ensure the very best fit.

You can read about the fees on the adoption page. Fees are meant to help cover vetting, food, and spay/neuter surgeries. Very often, our expenses for an individual dog exceed their adoption fee but the fees remain the same.

We are committed to finding the best fit for our dogs. That means no, we don’t operate on a first-come, first served basis. The dog will be adopted by the person who is the best fit for that dog. Rest assured, if you have an approved application, your best fit WILL come along.

This will be on a case-by-case basis. We realize many renters are also excellent pet guardians and we hope to hear from you. We will look at each individual situation and verify with your landlord that a German Shepherd is permitted on the property. description

This will be determined on a case-by-case basis. If we can approve your application and do a thorough home check, then yes, we will adopt out of state.

No. We do not have a facility where we can put dogs while we find a suitable foster home. If you find a stray shepherd, please take them to the SPCA or shelter in your area. They may be lost, and their families will look for them there. Once their stray hold is up, we can them pull them for rescue if we have an available foster home.

At NOGSR, safety for both humans and dogs is our highest priority. While we will evaluate each situation with the seriousness it deserves, generally no, we cannot take a dog back into rescue if he has developed a bite history. We can recommend trainers and behaviorists to help you with the dog. In fact, if you’re having trouble with your dog, we recommend calling a trainer or behaviorist BEFORE there is an incident.

That depends! Some of our adult dogs will have some basic manners training already. Puppies will probably not. We try to provide our fosters with knowledge and resources to teach our dogs some basic cues and potty training. Some of the dogs will need extra care and guidance with this. Be prepared to have to train your dog. We strongly recommend attending a basic manners class with your dog either in person or at least online. While teaching the dog some important cues like sit, come, stay, training also strengthens the bond between the dog and his person. Training a German shepherd is NEVER a “one and done”. There are no “fully trained” dogs. It’s a lifetime of training, learning, and bonding.escription

We do not! We are a 100% volunteer-based non-profit rescue.

Volunteer – We are always looking for volunteers! Are you good at newsletters? Social media? Would you like to help fosters? Attend events and plan fundraisers? Apply to Volunteer

Foster – if you have space in your home and heart to temporarily house a shepherd in need, we would love to hear from you! Apply to Foster

Adopt – If you’re interested in adopting one of our dogs, (first of all, you’ve made a great decision!) please read the adoption policy and fill out anapplication here.

Donate – Our dogs come to us from all kinds of situations, some needing extensive medical care. We are 100% volunteer based so all donations go directly to the dogs and the rescue. Donate here