Gemma is just over a year old. She was raised from a puppy with the idea of being trained for service work but didn't demonstrate the confidence and stability required in new situations. Nevertheless, she is quite well trained for a dog her age. She will sit, down, touch, go to mat, go to kennel, leave it, and can perform many other behaviors on command once she has decided to listen to you. She's not good with cats, so read no further if you have one. The same probably applies for small dogs. Gemma is a real beauty, but she is a female shepherd. She will need someone she trusts to be the leader or she will step up into that role. A home with prior shepherd experience would be preferred, or at least someone who is prepared to do some training with Gemma so she will trust as well as bond with her new person. She is really not a child's dog; an active adult household is preferred. Please check out our web site at www.shepherdrescue.org for more information about our dogs, our adoption process and to download an application. You must have a fully approved application on file prior to privately meeting our dogs. We do not have a facility, all our dogs are housed in private foster homes throughout MD/DC/VA areas. More information available on our web site, so please read through our web site before emailing questions, as it might save us both some time!

VGSR can only adopt dogs out in the Virginia/Maryland/DC area, no exceptions.

Although donations of all types are needed, our primary need is foster homes for our lovely dogs while they wait for their new family to find them. Fostering is an extremely rewarding experience. Vet care is paid for by our rescue, and we can even provide you with food. All YOU need to add is love and security.

The adoption process starts with the applicant filling out the adoption application. This can happen at any time during the process, before or after having met a GSD that might be the ideal companion. (It's an advantage to have a pre-approved application on file with VGSR. It should be stressed here that being pre-approved does not mean that any potential adopter can select any available dog at will and take that dog home immediately. VGSR will exercise its best judgement as to which GSD will be the best match for that specific adopter based on a number of qualifying criteria. Many GSDs that come to us are matched up with their new people very quickly because their people have been pre-approved.) The applicant then submits the application form with a non-refundable $10.00 processing fee. VGSR reviews the application, then schedules an interview and home visit during which a number of questions are asked and the home is reviewed to be sure there is a contained/safe yard, and to meet the family involved. Once the application is approved, the applicant is asked to submit a $250.00 donation to VGSR, and the adoption is completed.

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