Tampa Bay German Shepherd Rescue

Our Adoptable Dogs | Adoption Application | Foster A Dog In Need | Our 2007 Happy Tails

Rescue Adoption Handbook | How to Find A Lost Pet | Allie's Tale | Contact Us

Our Owner Surrender Policy

Due in part to the current real estate market and foreclosure crisis, Tampa Bay GSD Rescue has been filled beyond capacity. However, we would be happy to help you re-home an animal in need by offering a courtesy post on Petfinder. (Your dog must MEET OUR REQUIREMENTS - be spayed/neutered and have a sound temperament).

If you are willing to continue caring for your pet until a suitable new home can be found, Please Email Us and DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE. We'd be happy to help. It is preferable to seeing good dogs be unnecessarily put down in the shelters due to space considerations.

Our Featured Adoptable German Shepherd Dog

SHELLY 5/6/08 Shelly is settled into her foster home and doing well. She is getting 3 meals a day as the weight gain most be slow or it can over load her digestive system. She is a wonderful housedog and loves all the attention she is receiving.

Shelly is a 2 to 3 year old black and tan girl that was picked up as a stray in Polk County. She is very underweight (in the photo up to 46 lbs after 10 days of good food). She is a high heartworm positive and will be treated once she gains more weight. She is well mannered, very friendly, walks well on leash, loves belly and chest rubs and wants to be with her people.

Rescue provides dog food, medication, crate and supplies for our foster homes. You provide the TLC while the dog is getting ready for adoption.

If you are interested in adopting a new family member from our organization, please complete the online adoption application, or if you can open your heart and home to provide foster care, we need you!

Another Happy Adoption

And One Yet To Happen

Ali is doing great with Search & Rescue training! "I just wanted to give you an update on Ali. Since I welcomed her to my home, life has not been the same! She has become my best friend and training partner.

We started immediately with her Search And Rescue training and she has shown great progress and potential. During our last mass casualty drill, she showed her newly learned skills by locating her first victim on the third floor of the building! (amongst cheers from the crew and experienced K9 handlers). What a drive this young lady has; she never shuts down! She has proven to be the family member we were looking for and I just want to thank you for your assistance in the adoption!

God Bless,
Ali's new daddy Ryan"

How To Adopt A New Friend

If you are interested in adopting a new family member from our organization, please complete the online adoption application. This is the fastest method but if you prefer, you may contact us by e-mail so we can send you an application.

Tampa Bay GSD Rescue Our adoption fee of $100 to $250 is based on each dog and it's needs. Senior dogs, special need dogs and senior citizen adoptions are $100; all others are $200-$250. The adoption fee helps cover expenses for the dogs while in the rescue program including the vet check, vaccines, heartworm testing, stool check, spay/neuter plus other necessary veterinary care and training to get the dog ready for adoption.

Everyone must submit an application before an appointment is made to come and meet the dogs.
We work BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.

Our Mission and Objective

To find loving forever homes for adoptable German Shepherd Dogs placed in shelters, strays and owner turn-ins. Provide needed medical care, training and rehabilitation to neglected, abused or sick German Shepherd Dogs until they are ready for adoption.

Goals

Lower the number of unnecessary euthanasia of healthy, adoptable pets.
Inform and educate about responsible humane treatment of animals and the importance of spay/neuter procedures.
Bring attention to the plight of shelter pets in animal control facilities.
Work toward insuring law enforcement agencies prosecute to the fullest extent of the law, persons found guilty of cruelty and inhumane treatment of animals.

Who We Are

The TBGSR is an all volunteer non-profit pet rescue organization for German Shepherd Dogs. We are supported by private donations, adoption fees, fund raisers and bequests from individuals and businesses. All of our pets are spayed/neutered prior to adoption. They are up-to-date on all vaccinations and heartworm negative. We are dedicated to helping our adoptable animals find good homes where they will be safe, well cared for and loved for the rest of their lives. Caring for these animals allows us to learn more about their personalities and helps us to place them in a home best suited for them.

Donations and Volunteering...

Tampa Bay German Shepherd Rescue welcomes volunteers who wish to help. We are always in the need of foster homes to house dogs while going though medical care while getting them ready for adoption. We have a list of items that are on our wish list: Check them out and please do what you can! Tampa Bay GSD Rescue saves lives.

Anyone wishing to make a donation toward our rescue efforts can do so by sending a check to Tampa Bay German Shepherd Rescue at the following address:

Tampa Bay German Shepherd Rescue
11904 Mc Mullen Loop
Riverview, FL 33569

To all those that have donated funds to help with vet bills & expenses and all those that have opened their homes to foster, we can not thank you enough. You are true heroes!

Temporary Foster Homes Always Needed

When our facilities are full, this means we have to turn down worthy candidates and can not pull dogs from shelters because space is at such a premium. All dogs are spayed/neutered, wormed, treated for fleas, vaccinated and on heartworm preventative. We provide a crate, leash, collars and food. Thank you for supporting Tampa Bay GSD Rescue!

If you have the time, the patience and loads of love to spare, we need you to help us brush up the skills that make these dogs adoptable loving pets. PLEASE EMAIL US for more info.

Wish List

Loving Foster Homes
Donations to our vets (heartworm treatments, spays/neuters, emergency surgeries, heartworm and flea preventative & medications)
PetsMart gift cards to get supplies as needed
Iam's, Eukanuba, ProPlan or Nutro Large Breed Dog Food
Throw rugs 24" x 36" up to 48" for the crates
Someone to make crate pads
Gift Cards for gas stations for transporter

Our Senior Alumni - living happily ever after with their forever families!

Salute to our
Happily Adopted
Senior Dogs

In a world where most families considering rescue automatically think of adopting a puppy, we rejoice each time a senior dog is placed! And considering the pros and cons, why wouldn't anyone prefer to share their home with an older dog?

No potty training...
No accidents to clean up...
No trips outside to do their business every 2 hours...
No chewed shoes, table legs, or worse...
Already know their Doggy Manners...
Daily exercise requirements are less demanding...
Calmer and generally less disruptive...
Just as loving...
Just as lovable...
Bond just as quickly with their new loving family.

Senior dogs want nothing more than a warm pair of feet to lie next to, a snuggle with their favorite people from time to time and a forever family to love. The dogs pictured here are all living happily ever after. Thank you to all that have opened their hearts & homes to these wonderful older babies!

Click Here To Read Their Stories

One of the medically needy - Bonnie Before.

Donations
are always needed for
medically needy rescues

BONNIE After 4 months of TLC and good groceries!

And please remember that in Florida
Heartworm Preventative
is a year-round responsibility.

We're all living happily ever after!
THANK YOU

Click Here To Read Our Happy Tails

Tampa Bay GSD Rescue The German Shepherd Dog (GSD) is a wonderful breed, but it is a "high maintenance" animal not suited for everyone. If you are unfamiliar with our favorite breed, please take the time to educate yourself about it. You can start right here by reading the following.

"Top 10 Reasons
Why a GSD May Not Be the Dog for You"

German Shepherds require a serious commitment. Many of the dogs that come to rescue organizations have no training. It is important that the new family puts time and effort into training their rescue dog.
These dogs have a high energy level. The very energy that allows these dogs to be police, search, guide and herding dogs is often the reason these dogs are surrendered. If you’re looking for a couch potato you may want to consider a different breed.
German Shepherds are highly intelligent. If they are not given a job to do they will often come up with their own.
Like any dog, the German Shepherd is a social animal and needs to be part of a family. The loyalty that endears this breed to many requires that it not be banished to the backyard.
German Shepherds are large dogs. The number one reason given by people surrendering German Shepherds is moving. Usually apartments do not welcome these dogs. If you don’t know where you will be a few years down the line it is not the right time to adopt.
These dogs shed non-stop.
They can be vocal, often whining and barking to communicate. If left alone for prolonged periods of time they may become problem barkers.
If you don’t like doggy smell, consider a different breed. Also, bathing can be challenging due to the dog’s water-resistant outer coat.
A German Shepherd must respect its owner. This is not accomplished by heavy-handedness; it is only achieved when its owner treats the dog with equal respect.
These dogs originated as herding dogs. It is a heritage they carry still. Keep this in mind if you or your neighbors have livestock. Remember that in the state of California a dog harassing livestock may be shot.