Nieko, the gentle giant with lions feet, has an extremely playful yet calm disposition. This poor guy got dumped at the Williamsburg humane society a few weeks ago when his previous owners downsized to an apartment and decided to keep their other two dogs and leave Nieko behind. Apparently Nieko was just too big for the apartment. Sadly, it was those very owners who let him become some twenty pounds overweight, a condition that helped create a severe case of hip dysplasia. His left femur rests above the hip because its socket has degenerated and can no longer hold the leg in place. Despite what must be an extremely painful condition, Nieko loves brief walks outside and goes up and down a few stairs as needed. He desperately wants to run and play fetch, throwing to his humans anything they might throw back at him for a quick game: tennis balls, pine cones, rocks, sticks, plastic baseball bats, squeaky toys, and stuffed animals. He doesnt let anything keep him down! Nieko is trustworthy in the house and great with dogs and people of all ages. If you place a high value on a dogs friendship and have a loving home and even a ranch-style house, Nieko wont disappoint. This gorgeous guy will only go to a very special home! Is that home yours? 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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