"Nissa" came to us as an owner-surrender, mostly living indoors. She is incredibly gentle, follows you around, sits or stays by your side. A lick on your hand or face is to show how grateful she is. She loves our backyard and walks around in it, her nose in the air...boy, does it feel good to be outside! She is a bit overweight but we are working on that. Like a lot of pure-bred GSDs at this age, she has minor hip problems. Go thin is therefore her healthy motto. She does not seem to have interest in toys or fetch games but she loves a treat now and then and gives a paw. She did not get proper training but I got her to come, sit and down fairly easily. With practice she could do very well in that department. She aims to please you! She is an overall gentle soul, so although she does not know the leash rules, she is easy to walk. She loves to snuggle and get ear knuckles and belly rubs. "Nissa" could use help with socialization. She loves humans, but is wary of some (not all) other dogs, mostly females or young males. With some guidance she gets along, but does not like them near her crate or food bowl. We are working and following up on that. She is fine with the cats in our foster home although her previous owners said she occasionally chased their cat. If you are looking for a gentle, loyal companion, preferably an only-dog family, Anissa may be the one. 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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