How Do I Surrender My German Shorthaired Pointer?

Thinking about rehoming your German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP)? Making this decision is not an easy call, and it’s normal to feel conflicted. Although these pups are loveable, clever, athletic companions, they’re also high-energy, on-the-go dogs who can be hard to keep up with — especially when life throws you curveballs. 

Maybe you’ve had a major change in work hours, and there’s just not enough time in the day for long runs or mental enrichment. Or maybe your GSP has taken up counter-surfing and digging under the fence, and it’s becoming more than you can manage. Some folks also find that this breed’s strong hunting instincts can make them a tricky fit in homes with cats or smaller pets. Regardless of what brought you here, needing to rehome your German Shorthair doesn’t mean you’ve failed, and setting them up in a more compatible home means you care about doing what’s right for your pup.

Before you make the final decision, there may be support options worth exploring, such as contacting a qualified canine behaviorist to help you work through some issues or looking into financial assistance for vet bills. But if rehoming really is the best route, we’re here to explain how to do it responsibly and securely, so your GSP can find a safe, loving new home.

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What does it mean to rehome a dog?

Rehoming your dog means you take the lead in finding them a new family, rather than surrendering them to a shelter or rescue organization. In this process, you’ll spread word about their search for a new home — whether that’s through close friends, an extended community, or through pet adoption websites. You’ll also make sure that the potential adopter is a solid fit for your pup before finalizing the adoption.

How to rehome your German Shorthaired Pointer

To rehome your German Shorthaired Pointer, consider adopting them to someone you already know, network in your community, look into pet adoption sites, or as a last resort, consider surrendering them to a shelter or animal rescue. 

To start, think about what kind of home suits your dog best. Most GSPs are energetic, intelligent, and thrive with lots of enrichment and exercise, such as running trails, going on adventures, swimming, and doing scent work. Is your pup happiest with lots of high-energy games and daily runs? Do they get along with other dogs or prefer to be the only pup? Do they have a strong prey drive that makes them a challenge around cats or small animals? 

Any behavioral quirks, training needs, or health issues should be shared upfront to help potential adopters understand if they’re a good fit. For example, German Shorthaired Pointers can have an increased risk of health conditions such as cardiomyopathy, progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, hip dysplasia, and bloat. If your pup is affected by any of these conditions, it’s important to place them with an adopter who is prepared and able to provide for their medical needs. 

Once you’ve got a clear idea of what your GSP needs, put together an adoption profile that shows off their personality, details what type of home they’re looking for, and has contact info for interested adopters. Add some cute photos and start spreading the word through your networks. The goal is to find an awesome home where your pup will thrive. 

Find someone you already know to adopt

When rehoming your German Shorthaired Pointer, the best place to start is with people you already know, such as friends, family members, coworkers, or neighbors. GSPs are affectionate and super smart, but they’re not the best fit for low-energy households. They need pet parents who are up for long walks and lots of playtime. If someone comes to mind who’d be a great fit, reach out to them. Share what you love most about your GSP, along with their daily routine, and any unique health or behavioral needs they have.

Look into pet adoption sites 

If you’re ready to take your search online, there are some solid rehoming platforms out there that can help you find a great new home for your German Shorthaired Pointer. Sites such as Rehome by Adopt a Pet are designed to connect pet parents with responsible, loving adopters. You’ll create a profile for your pup, and from there, interested adopters can apply — and you have the chance to vet those applications. Some animal shelters and humane societies also offer direct rehoming support. These programs can be a huge help, especially when you want to keep your dog out of the shelter system, but still want some rehoming guidance or a safe local platform to share their adoption information.

Avoid pet classified sites and public social media

In searching for the perfect home for your German Shorthaired Pointer, pet adoption websites can really expand your reach. But it’s important to be selective about where you post your dog’s adoption information. While it might be tempting to post on popular classified sites like Craigslist or Local Sales Network (aka LSN), those platforms are often used by scammers and people looking to exploit pets for breeding, flipping for profit, or worse. Facebook and Nextdoor present similar challenges. To keep you and your GSP safe, and to give them the best shot at a loving new home, it’s best to stick with trusted adoption platforms.

Surrender at a shelter or animal rescue 

Before surrendering your GSP to a shelter, reach out to rescue organizations first. It’s a good idea to start with breed-specific rescue groups such as the NorCal German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue and the Mid-Atlantic GSP Rescue. These organizations are familiar with the personality and energy needs of this active breed, and they often place their rescues into foster networks rather than kennels. Staying in a foster home gives your pup the chance to decompress in a home as they wait for the right match. Foster-based care also allows the rescue to learn more about your GSP’s behavior and needs in a home setting, which helps match them with the right pet parents. 

Keep in mind that many rescue organizations have waiting lists, and you may need to travel several hours to find a rescue with an opening for your pup. If you strike-out with GSP-specific groups, expand your search to include reputable all-breed rescues.

As a last option, you can reach out to animal shelters, but make sure to prioritize choosing one that has successful foster and volunteer programs, offers behavior support, and actively promotes adoptions. High-energy, sensitive breeds like GSPs don’t typically handle loud and crowded shelter environments well, so the more connected the shelter is to its community, the better chance your dog has of quickly finding a supportive adopter.

Do you have to pay to rehome a German Shorthaired Pointer?

You might have to pay to rehome a German Shorthaired Pointer if you’re surrendering them to a shelter or rescue that requires a surrender fee. These fees can range widely, with most falling between $30 and $150. Some organizations don’t charge a surrender fee, and others only suggest it as a donation. These fees help the shelter or rescue cover a portion of its operating costs. 

What is a rehoming fee?

A rehoming fee is set by the current pet parent and is paid by the adopter. This fee is not intended for profit, but to discourage impulse adoptions and prevent someone from obtaining your GSP for unethical reasons. For example, a flipper may search for free German Shorthaired Pointers to sell as hunting dogs. 

What is a reasonable rehoming fee for a German Shorthaired Pointer? 

A reasonable rehoming fee for a German Shorthaired Pointer can vary based on factors such as where you live, their health, age, and vaccination status. On average, you can set a rehoming fee for a GSP at $100 to $300. Establishing a rehoming fee, along with requesting references (such as from a vet), asking questions about what your pup’s life will be like with the potential adopters, and writing up an adoption contract that stipulates care expectations can help ensure your German Shorthaired Pointer settles into a wonderful home. 

Should you charge rehoming fees?

Whether or not you charge a rehoming fee depends on whether you know the adopter or not. For adopters you already know and trust, charging a rehoming fee is probably unnecessary. However, if you aren’t familiar with the adopter, setting a rehoming fee increases the legitimacy of the adoption process. 

What about rehoming with pet adoption sites? 

Rehoming with pet adoption sites such as Rehome by Adopt a Pet is an excellent way to widen your adopter search while having access to a guided rehoming process. Rehome is free for pet parents to use and follows a simple four-step process: You start by creating a profile for your GSP, sharing details about their personality, needs, and any health or behavior info that potential adopters should know. From there, you can review applications, meet the interested adopters, and finalize everything with an adoption contract. This contract helps ensure your pup will get the care and attention they need in their new home.

Commonly asked questions

What is the best way to rehome a dog? 

The best way to rehome a dog is peer-to-peer, by directly placing them with a new, loving adopter whom you’ve met and vetted. 

Where can I put up a German Shorthaired Pointer for adoption? 

You can put up a German Shorthaired Pointer for adoption through your circle of friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers, networking them in your extended community, and using pet adoption sites such as Rehome by Adopt a Pet. 

References

“Mid-Atlantic German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue | Rescuing and Rehoming GSPs.” Mdgsprescue.org, 2022, www.mdgsprescue.org.

“SEGSP Rescue - HOME.” Southeast German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue, 2025, www.segsprescue.org.

“Tips for Rehoming Your Pet - East Bay SPCA.” East Bay SPCA, 9 Aug. 2023, eastbayspca.org/resources/rehome-surrender-a-pet/tips-for-rehoming-your-pet. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.