My name is Oki!

Due to the specific needs of the German Shepherd breed, our application process to become an approved adopter has several steps. We want to ensure when an adoption is made it is the best home possible for the dog and that the adopter is equally as happy. Most importantly we want the adoption to be successful and permanent! It typically takes about two weeks to complete the process.

The Process?

1. Complete our online application. There is a $10.00 non-refundable application fee that will go toward administrative costs. Please note that an application does not lock you into adopting the dog you apply for. We do our best to accommodate you, however, because of timing; there may be another applicant ahead of you that is an appropriate match for the same dog.

2. Reference Checks. We DO call your references AND your Vet (if you have one). Please be sure to advise your vet and your references we will be calling. The biggest delay in processing your application is often veterinary offices or personal references NOT calling us back promptly.

3. Phone Interview. Shortly after you submit your application, one of our volunteers will call you to review your application and ask a few more questions.

4. Home Visit. Once all the references are completed, we will conduct a home visit. This is so we can know get to know you better and the environment the dog will be living in. We require ALL members of the household who will be interacting with the dog to be present when we visit.

5. Matching you with the right dog. Even during the process, we keep in mind all our available dogs and any preferences you indicated on your application. While you can tell us which one you would like to meet, we will let you know about all the dogs that we think would flourish in your home.

Meet and Greets. This is when you meet the dog or dogs you are interested in adding to your family. It may be at the foster home, your home or another convenient location. If there is a dog already in the home we typically require two meetings. First one outside of your home and the second at your home.
All adopters are required to sign a contract.

Why is your process so rigorous?

When we accept a German Shepherd into our rescue, we make a commitment to him or her, to care for them, get them healthy again and find them a permanent, loving home. We want to make sure that our applicants understand the lifetime commitment they are making and that they can provide our dogs a great new life.

Adoption Requirements

The adopter must be between the ages of 21 and 76 years of age.

If you rent, you must ensure that your landlord allows large breed dogs to live in the apartment or home and show proof of the consent.

We require our adopters to attend professional obedience training with their adopted dog. We have trainers that we can recommend.

All animals currently living in the home must be up-to-date on vaccinations unless there is a medical reason.

Adoption Fees:
$350 for puppies up to 1 year of age
$275 for a dog from 1 to 7 years of age
$150 for a dog 7 years or older

We will require a $150 refundable spay/neuter deposit for any unaltered dog that is adopted out. Proof of the procedure is required for a deposit refund.

Anyone interested in meeting a GSRNJ dog must complete the application process and become an approved adopter. We do not have our own facility.

German Shepherd Rescue of New Jersey (GSRNJ) is a non-profit, breed-specific dog rescue dedicated to the saving, rehoming and educating the public about the German Shepherd breed. The group’s founders and members have years of experience with German Shepherds, bringing in depth understanding in evaluating and rehoming this highly intelligent breed. Our membership is completely volunteer and virtual, in that we do not have offices or a kennel facility but work entirely out of our homes and use foster homes to house dogs in our program while they await their new pack leaders.

We refer to our rescue activities as a program. There are very in depth evaluations of both dogs and applicants looking to adopt or foster. Before a dog is accepted into our program we conduct an extensive temperament test with the dog to see if it is shows aggression or displays many signals that they would become aggressive. For the safety of our members and adopters we do not accept any aggressive dogs into our program, which is the most difficult thing we must do at times. The dogs entering our rescue program may be from shelters, owner surrenders or owners in our Owner Rehoming Assistance Program. Similarly, with our applicants there is a detailed application process for us to understand the applicant, their family and the environment they may provide for one of our dogs.