Hi

Does anyone know if there is a GSD rescue in Northern Ireland, please?

Thanks

J :)

contact:

www.germanshepherdrescue.co.uk

or

www.vigilgsdrescue.org

They will be able to put you in touch with a GSD rescue in your area.

I hope that helps.

Thank you Nanny Ogg :)

Unfortunately it turns out that there is no GSD rescue in N.Ireland but GSD rescue in Scotland have been extremely helpful :)

That doesn't surprise me actually. I am glad you have had some help from the Scottish shepherd rescue though.

I was surprised by the lack of a Rescue here cnsidering how popular GSDs are here. There is a Newfie rescue and Newfie numbers are tiny in comparison!

There is definitely a need for GSD rescue though. The lady I spoke to in Scotland says they are receiving 10 young GSDs (all under 2 years old) from N. Ireland next week - all rescued from the pound where they were to be PTS :( It may be 11 if all goes according to plan....

I regularly check up on www.biggsd.com, and they always have shepherds they have managed to get over from Ireland in to rescue centres over here because in Ireland they are put to sleep. It is really sad a not long ago they had some pups fro Ireland on there that had been rescued literally at the very last minute from lethal injection, but of course centres over here need the funding and the space to take them. It is very sad, as like you said, it is surprising there isn't a rescue organisation for shepherds over there considering how popular GSD's are as a breed.
I hope you manage to find a place for the dog you are trying to help. Is it a cruelty case issue or just a desperate rehoming?

Best wishes xxx

One of the reasons I am so anti breeding from pets & non standard colours & coat in GSDs is the number that come for rescue. IMHE the majority are from pet & puppy farm breeders & the reason for not going back to the breeders is "they aren't breeders they just had the mother & she is a only pet" or "the kennels were awful I only bought the puppy because I felt sorry for it". If only new owners would go to responsible breeders who register all their dogs & who offer a lifetime support then the pet & puppy farmers would go out of business. Sadly though they people wanting puppies nearly all want one now so grab the first puppy they find & then can't cope so they get rid of them to rescue. I lose count of the number of callers who ring to get rid of their dogs now with some obviously made up story(We're emigrating tomorrow is a good one)

It's hard enough to find homes for the dogs already here so bringing them in from NI adds to our problems IMHO.

Doesn't NI have dog licencing ? & don't the RSPCA believe that brings about responsible ownership ? Yer too right it does (not)

Hi Nanny Ogg

I happened to mett a guy with this gorgeous little shepherd pup when I was walking my dogs at the weekend. We stopped to chat and he said that he had found the pup wandering in the street near his house early last week. It can't be more than about 20 weeks old :( I met them again last night  and has been looking after it while trying to locate an owner but no-one has come forward. The local shelter won't take it because it is a stray and the pound will take it but can't guarantee what will happen to it and he isn't prepared to take the chance that it would be PTS. He and his partner would like to keep it but they don't think they have the time or space for a little pup that will grow into a big dog. I said I would try to get a contact for rescue for them so, fingers crossed, the little lad will have a new home shortly. Thankfully, he seems to have been well enough cared for prior to being found wandering and is being well looked after in his temporary home :)

Thanks again for replying with the info...you could have helped to secure a happy ending for this little boy :)

Hey, thats ok. Such a sad story for that pup though. I know that german shepherd rescue really do get involved in helping shepherds both in Ireland and overseas where ever they can, and I really hope you find a place for this pup in a centre somewhere over here so he can be cared for and rehomed.

Good luck and take care xx

MM
I also work (voluntarily) for a rescue centre and have to say that most that come in are standard coated, so I don't really know what bearing that comment has. I do agree about the breeding of pet GSD's though whatever their coat or colour!.

K

i do hope there's a happy ending for this pup, shaynlola. my mother has had to harden her heart over the years in terms of rescuing dogs and cats and she still agonises over it. but the problem is that she got the reputation as "that animal lady near enniskillen" and the police were forever turning up with abandoned little furry animals they'd found wandering knowing that if they said the pound couldn't promise not to put them to sleep, my mother would have a terrible wrestle with her conscience. and the conscience won every time....

Well, it doesn't look like the pup will be going to rescue after all. I think they have decided to keep the pup. They have been looking after it for two weeks now and have become very attached. The very nice woman at GSD rescue is happy to offer advice and assistance and I have put them in contact with a gentleman I know nearby who used to breed/show GSDs and still owns two. Fingers crossed it works out for all concerned.

Aaah, bless your Mum for rescuing all those animals, Roz. My own Mum became a 'drop-off' for unwanted cats several years ago as everyone in the area knew she was a sucker for a sob story. I've lost count of the number of litters of kittens she helped rear and home over the years as the dumped ones were almost always pregnant :(