A very nice lady who I work with is looking to rescue a GSD.  I had a contact in the local area but when she contacted her she was made to feel awful.  These are her circumstances and the prepartions she has made for the new addition.....

She has had GSD's in the past and is very level headed and I would think she'll be very responsible in training, etc.  She has built a large outdoor kennel with lighting and heating as well as a large run, part lawn, part patio.  The dog will stay in this area when she and her family are out.  She works days and her husband works shifts so the dog will never be left for more that 4 hours at a time. Her reason for the outside area is that the last GSD she had came from rescue and had a lot of problems.  It was very destructive when left for ANY length of time alone and basically trashed her house.  Now I know some of you will say the dog comes first but I can see why she is being cautious.  When the family are at home the dog will be in the house with them as part of the family.

Now here's the problem.  When she rang a local GSD rescue they said they wouldn't home a dog to her as it would be left outside.  They said she wasn't 'suitable' and they wouldn't let any of their dogs go to someone 'like her'.  She argued that it's no different from leaving the dog in the house - it would still be alone but they said she wasn't suitable for a GSD because it would, at times, be left outside.

The garden is very secure, being surrounded by walls so there is little chance of the dog being stolen.  There's no way anyone could get round the back so the dog wouldn't be tormented by passing toe rags.  She has everything that the dog could need and her, her husband and her teenage daughter have spent months rebuilding and landscaping the garden with a GSD in mind.

Is this the policy of all GSD rescue?  I'd be interested to hear your views as she's very dejected at the moment and is beginning to think that the only way she'll rescue a GSD is if she lies - which she isn't prepared to do.

Can you give any advice that I can pass on to her. 

Thanks

Joe :)

Joe a serious post ;)  Sometimes I think that these rescues are a little too fussy. Shepherds do like to be with their humans tho and may be noisey if not adapted to living outside, I know were not talking permanent here though. I don't know where you are but I do know a couple of Shepherds in need of a new home, so contact me if you like. 
Debbie

Thanks Debbie.  I have.  And it must be an omen - the lady in question is called Debbie!!  Spooky :)

Some of the GSD rescues do insist that there is always someone there & the dog is always in the house

I know our rescue will not let dogs go as guard dogs or to be put on chains(you would be suprised how many people atill ask for an"alsatian"guard dog)

We do have a system of home checking if we have no one in the area our lady who runs the rescue will ask for a vet's recommendation in writing & the vet's telephone number.

Depends on the area & which rescue you contact

We get people wanting young puppies as the RSPCA/Dog Trust etc tell them we always have baby puppies in & bitches having litters. We rarely have puppies & on the very rare occasions that an in whelp bitch is handed over they would be spayed if the pregnancy is not too advanced or the majority of the puppies pts after bitch as we cannot be sure they will be GSDs & there are enough adult X breeds needing homes already.

If you want to PM me I may be able to put you in the direction of a rescue that can help. there are a lot of GSD's rescues about some are more genuine that others I'll need to know which area is the lady in to be able to help

That's is then joe it's fate, all the girls will be jealous ;)

...... aaah, my work here is done ;)

Dear All,

Just to keep you updated - Debbie is still looking for a GSD so any info would be greatly appreciated!  She's just missed what sounds like a lovely bitch by a day!!!!!  However, I will not give up until she has her ball of fur.

Thanks for the contacts already sent my Moonmaiden and tcarlaidh

Joe ;)

Sorry she missed Aspen, what about the girl in Cambridge Joe?
Debbie.

Erm.  Not sure.  I'll get back to you on that one!  :)

have you tried www.traininglines.org.uk then click on the health button, and then click on re-homing.  also www.vigilgsdrescue.org      and try www.caninelifeline.fsnet.co.uk
good luck.
Sue

perhaps the lady debbie should try the local free ads papers? there are lots of GSDs advertised every week, perhaps she could give one of these ahome instead?

Thanks.  I'll give them a go.

Joe :)

Do you get WHITE GSD's or are they a different breed? been seeing a lot of them around lately. Sorry, it isn't to do with your post!

There are lots of "White" GSDs in rescue, but they are not white they are usually cream or biscuit coloured

Over half of the GSDs that come through our rescue are "White"

Debbie is going to meet a white GSD in Hampshire on Easter weekend.  My fingers are crossed - as are hers.  Keep your fingers crossed that they fall in love with each other!!  :)