** Although Samson isn't currently available for adoption, our hope is that he will be soon, once we get him cured of all his various ailments. In the meanwhile, we are happy to accept applications for Samson, so that when he is well, he will be placed quickly. Hi, my name is Samson but you can call me Sammy. I'm a GSD mix and I'm a very sweet boy, however I'm also very scared and timid. If you'd been through everything I've been through, you'd be timid too. You see, I lived for quite a while on my own with no regular food, water or shelter. One day the people from the local pound came and picked me up and I ended up living there at the shelter for a while. It was nice having food and water, but it was still a scary place and I was starting to think that I would never have a chance at being a real pet. Just then, this nice lady with VGSR came and got me and took me to my new foster parents. My new foster parents are very nice, but I'm still learning to trust them. I haven't felt very good for a long time. When my foster mom took me to the doctor we found out that I'm a very sick boy. The doctor says I have hookworms, tapeworms, heart-worms and Lymes disease. My foster mom and dad tell me not to worry and that VGSR is going to make sure I get all the medicine and treatments I need so that I can be healthy again. Currently I'm not real interested in toys and balls, and I'm not even interested in this cat they have. Maybe when I start feeling better those things will be of more interest to me. For now I'm just sitting back and enjoy these nice dog beds while I concentrate on getting healthy again. My foster parents tell me I'm a smart boy because I picked up on the house-training thing really quickly and I'm already learning to come when they call. Did I tell you my foster parents have a dog of their own? It's really nice and comforting having another canine friend around. 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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