What is an Adoption Day???
An Adoption Day is a wonderful opportunity for people that want to adopt a German Shepherd Dog to meet some of
the dogs that are available through VGSR. Potential adopters and dogs get the opportunity to interact and to determine
whether there's a basis to move forward in the adoption process. Potential adopters should understand that an
Adoption Day is NOT an opportunity to select a dog and take the dog home that same day. It's just one step at the
beginning of the adoption process.
The process starts with the applicant filling out the adoption application. Due to the fact that VGSR requires a
home visit and face-to-face interviews with all potential adopters, we will accept applications only from those people who
reside in the Virginia, Maryland, and DC areas. An application may be made 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 again that being pre-approved does not mean that any potential adopter can select any
available dog at will from the web site or at an Adoption Day event and take that dog home immediately. VGSR will exercise
its best judgment 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
(cash or check ONLY) processing fee. Sorry, PayPal can not be used for application fees or adoption-related
donations. It is intended only for use for general donations or sponsorships. The applicant may submit an adoption application
(with fee) at any adoption day or may mail a completed adoption application (with fee) to:
Virginia German Shepherd Rescue
Attn: Adoption Application
P.O. Box 126
Sterling, VA 20167
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 minimum $250.00 donation (cash or
check ONLY) to VGSR, and the adoption is completed. Please visit our Info
page for more details on the process of adoption from VGSR. Please also visit our
German Shepherd Dog Shopper's Guide
for more information on this wonderful breed.
