Dear Washington German Shepherd Rescue supporters,
First, if you’ve rescued a dog, thank you for giving your dog a beautiful new life. We are certain that you have received as much enjoyment from your companion as you have provided for them and that you probably find it hard to imagine your life without them.
We are writing to you with an urgent plea for other German Shepherd Dogs who are not as fortunate. We have a shortage of foster homes for these beautiful dogs.
Everyday we receive urgent requests from shelters, asking us to take in a GSD who has been labeled “for a rescue group,” only. We seldom have the space to take in these dogs and they end up losing their lives at the shelter.
GSDs are highly emotional, intelligent, dogs and do very poorly in shelter environments. The shelter environment is detrimental to almost GSDs that end up there. They typically react in one of two ways: (1) defensive, which is perceived as aggression, or (2) depressed (what we refer to as ‘Shepherd shutdown’).
These dogs, who would gladly give their lives for their family, have been tossed into an environment that is frightening, lonely and devoid of companionship.
Foster homes are also very helpful to us when a foster mom or dad leaves for vacation (sometimes only 2-4 days), which is an opportunity for you to decide if fostering a GSD long-term is right for you.
We are appealing to you to consider fostering for the sake of other dogs much like your own, or perhaps one you’ve had in the past, or even just those GSDs that you’ve known before. Given the opportunity, a GSD will flourish and provide years of love and companionship to another lucky family.
If you’ve adopted a dog, your dog was given this same opportunity by some of our other selfless volunteer foster homes past and present. If not for those foster homes, your dog may have perished at a shelter, rather than given you or your family endless hours of joy and companionship. You have the power to give another dog this same chance and it is extremely gratifying to know that you have literally saved a life.
The requirements are small: a crate in your home, some of your time and some of your love. We do our best to make the foster experience as rewarding as possible. If you are interested in making a difference and possibly saving the life of a lost German Shepherd, please submit a foster application, today.
Thank you for your continued support and consideration. Many dogs that are hoping for a chance at a new life with a new family thank you as well.
Sincerely,
Volunteer Staff
Washington German Shepherd Rescue
