Welcome!
Greater California German Shepherd Rescue is a 501(c)(3) public charity non-profit. We are an all-volunteer group of German Shepherd lovers dedicated to rescuing German Shepherd Dogs from at-risk and unacceptable situations and finding them permanent, loving homes with qualified owners.
We serve the communities surrounding Modesto, Merced, Greater Sacramento, and South Lake Tahoe, and occasionally parts of the North and East SF Bay area. Except for a portion of Nevada around Lake Tahoe, we don't adopt dogs out of state and rarely adopt out of our area. There are too many other German Shepherds in need of good homes in the other areas.
All of our dogs are in foster homes spread throughout our service areas. We aren't a shelter and don't have a facility. We don't take in strays, we will only deal with the dog's legal owner. If you need to rehome a dog, please read the information on our Giving Us A Dog page.
If you are interested in adopting one of our wonderful German Shepherds, you can see their bios and pictures on the Available Dogs page, and you can meet them at one of our monthly Adoption Days or other community Events. The first step toward adopting one of our dogs is to read our Adoption Information page.
If you would like to help us save these deserving dogs, please see our How to Help section, where you'll find information about volunteering, fostering and sponsoring a dog. You can also help by donating and shopping with our supporters on our Partners page.
"An energetic, loyal and devoted companion, the German Shepherd isn’t a breed but a lifestyle."
German Shepherd Dog Breed Information - vetSTREET. Your pet. Your vet.
The Latest Woofs
All the latest news that's worth barking about! The Barking News, Wags & Brags, Wet Noses, Perked Ears, Happy Tails, whatever is latest and greatest to share!
Like To Keep Up With Our Events?
Subscribe to the Greater California German Shepherd Rescue newsletter!
Rummage Sale!
Saturday, May 12th, 20128 am to Noon
7923 Arcadia, Citrus Heights
(near Sunrise Mall)
Happy Tails!
My wife, Diane and I adopted Freedom from you (foster Mom; Kim D) at the Vacaville PetSmart on Feb 11, 2012. Your website doesn't include her, but I wanted to let you know she is a GREAT DOG! She has rapidly become an important member of our family and loves all three of us (including Quigley, the cat). We have been teaching her social skills, and she is the star pupil at the obedience classes we are attending. She loves being an indoor dog, and has excellent house manners.
Thank you for not cancelling your Vacaville events before we found her! Keep up the great work you are doing.
John & Diane Kraft
Check out other latest adopters on our Happy Tails page!
All of our dogs have their own page on our website FOREVER! Send us an
update and we'll add it to our Testimonials.
Wet Noses
New Faces!
Check out all the faces on our Dogs page! We are always adding new dogs every week. We have a dog for every hearth and home.
 Chancey |
 Ryder |
Adoption Days
Adoption days are a wonderful opportunity to meet many of our dogs in one location, talk to their fosters, and learn more about German Shepherd Rescue activities in your area. Knowledgeable volunteers can answer your questions regarding the adoption process, home visits, what is involved in rehoming a rescued German Shepherd, their training needs, and discuss with you which dog is most compatible with your family, home and lifestyle.
We hold regular monthly Adoption Days in the following locations. We can be found out in front of the store, we're there every month, rain or shine! Follow the link for directions. For other community events we will be participting in, check out our Events page. Come by and say Hello!
Our next regular monthly Adoption Day will be in Sacramento/Rancho Cordova on May 19th. Please check out our Dogs page on the Friday before to see which dogs will be attending. Come visit us!
First Saturday of every month from 11am to 2 pm in
Modesto:
Petsmart
2100 McHenry Ave
Modesto CA 95350
209) 574-0441
Third Saturday of every month
from 11am to 2 pm in Sacramento:
Petsmart
10830 Olson Drive
Rancho Cordova CA 95670
(916) 851-1813
About German Shepherd Dogs
German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs) aren't for everyone. They're big, energetic dogs with long tails, and can clear a coffee table with one swipe. They have a lot of hair with a double coat, and that means they shed year round - and they shed a LOT.
They're active, alert, assertive, noisy, mouthy and BOSSY! They take work - a LOT of work. They need socialization, leadership, exercise and a job, or they'll find their own amusements, usually by chewing, digging, barking or escaping. They tend to get territorial and protective.
If you don't mind all that, if you understand and love the breed, and are willing to put the necessary work into one, you'll end up with a very intelligent, very devoted, and very responsible member of the family. There isn't a finer family dog or all-around
all-purpose
dog than a good German Shepherd who is well-trained and well-socialized.
German Shepherds come in a wide variety of temperaments and energy levels. For an explanation of how we match them to the right home, read our Dog Rating Levels.
"The German Shepherd Dog is known throughout the world for his uncanny intelligence and faithfulness. This versatile breed has well-earned the reputation as family companion, guide dog, police dog, and, of course, herder."
Donate!
All of our rescue dogs go to the vet when they come into the program for health checks, spay/neuter, vaccinations, heartworm tests and other preventive care. Some need more extensive treatment, and for that we have The Rainbow Fund. On rare occasions, we may need to board some dogs in commercial kennels.
Our adoption fee generally covers less than half of our average costs per dog, so we need to make up the difference with charitable donations. Checks, cash, and dog supplies are always helpful. Easiest of all, you can donate directly using PayPal!
(Most credit cards accepted even if you do not have a Paypal Account)
If you'd prefer to provide a specific item, please visit our Amazon Wish List:
We also take Memorial Donations.
We thank you, and the dogs thank you! Greater California German Shepherd Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization, and your donations are tax deductible. Our EIN# is 36-4614672. Acknowledgement letters upon request.
Check Out Our Partners!
Donate a Car to Support Greater California German Shepherd Rescue!
More opportunities to help us save dogs can be found on our Partners page.
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