German Shepherds are a loyal dog breed that is naturally protective of their territory and family. Moreover, they bond with their owner for life. Therefore, your decision to adopt a German Shepherd in Florida shouldn’t occur on impulse.
If you’re serious about rescuing a German Shepherd in Florida, you should know that they need mental stimulation and their energy needs can be high. It’s also worth noting that this isn’t the kind of dog breed to leave in your yard, isolated, away from the family, or deprived of attention and touch. German Shepherds need exposure to the external world as well as regular exercise. Without appropriate socialization, they’re likely to exhibit aggression towards other dogs, strangers, and may become destructive around your house.
Nevertheless, German Shepherds make great companions and guard dogs. If you feel you’re capable of taking care of this breed, we have a list of the best German Shepherd rescues in Florida to help you find a dog. Below are some of the rescue shelters you can visit to adopt a German Shepherd.
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1. Shepherd Help and Rescue Effort (S.H.A.R.E) Florida
SHARE is a nonprofit corporation based in Boca Raton, Florida. Their goal is to rehabilitate, rescue, and re-home German Shepherds in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. The volunteer-based nonprofit works to save German Shepherds from shelters located throughout South Florida.
Several of the German Shepherds that end up in the rescue’s care are usually scheduled for euthanization while others need medical treatment. The SHARE German Shepherd rescue works with volunteers and accepts funds from donations and supporters.
Shepherd Help And Rescue Effort also allows you to volunteer for their German Shepherd rescues, transport dogs, help with dog walking, or play with dogs that need some attention. You can also help with fundraising, event planning, photography, or videography if you are good at it. You can also help at Adoption Events. If you’re ready to rescue a German Shepherd in Florida, consider volunteering for this shelter.
Adoption Process
The goal of adoption is to match the needs and temperaments of the rescued German Shepherds to prospective adopters. The rescue’s adoption coordinators work with applicants through the process to make sure the dog they adopt compliments their activity level and family’s life.
Potential adopters and rescue dogs undergo careful screening to make sure the German Shepherd matches the right dog with a suitable home. If a compatible dog is unavailable when submitting your application, the rescue will maintain your application until a compatible one becomes available.
German Shepherd Rescue Details
- Website: Shepherd Help And Rescue Effort Florida
- Location: Boca Raton, FL 33076
- AdoptionLine: 844-847-1250
- Facebook: SHARE: Shepherd Help and Rescue Effort
2. SouthWest Florida German Shepherd Rescue
Founded in 2007, this German Shepherd rescue in Florida accepts dogs from owner surrenders and shelters. The rescue’s mission involves taking in discarded dogs, providing a positive environment, medical attention, and love before securing them permanent homes statewide and in the local communities.
SouthWest Florida German Shepherd Rescue accepts abandoned German Shepherds and those that have been surrendered by owners who can’t keep them for various reasons like barking, destructive behavior, death in the family, or financial instability. Subsequently, the rescue covers the necessary treatment costs as they await placement into adoptive families.
Meanwhile, the German Shepherds receive care and love in a safe environment before the rescue can match them with suitable adoptive families. While the rescue deals mostly with German Shepherds, they occasionally adopt other dog breeds depending on the case.
Potential adoptive families must send the rescue an email to schedule an interview. Alternatively, you can complete an online application. Interviews typically take place in Punta Gorda, Florida, or at the residence of a board member who lives close to you.
Ideally, potential adopters must have owned a German Shepherd previously and need to be familiar with the dog breed. Moreover, the rescue is ready to work with those who are willing to train the dog and socialize it.
Adoption Process
This process starts with an interview based on the gathered information from applicants. Typically, this German Shepherd rescue will inquire about an applicant’s current pets as well as require proof of updated vaccinations.
The rescue will equally require information on the chosen veterinarian, an applicant’s training experience, and their commitment. In addition, the rescue will also organize a meeting with the prospective adoptive family. Upon qualifying, an applicant will need to sign an agreement concerning the dog’s care.
They’ll also sign a letter indemnifying the rescue from any legal matter or liability surrounding any dog they’ve received from the rescue. Upon adoption, the rescue expects the adopter to issue the vet’s address and name for verification.
Surrender Process
The rescue charges between $225 and $350 for any dog surrendered at the rescue depending on the dog’s medical condition. If the surrendered German Shepherd hasn’t undergone neutering or spaying, the owner will incur a $350 charge for a female or male dog.
However, if the dog is up to date on vaccinations, the owner will pay a $225 turn-in fee. At the time of surrender, the rescue expects a dog owner to issue the dog’s medical records together with the contact details of the veterinarian. Owners will also cover the costs of a heartworm test before surrendering the dog.
The rescue will take back any of its rescue dogs any time, but won’t issue a refund unless the dog’s return occurs within 14 days from the adoption. The rescue rarely handles German Shepherd rescue puppies, but whenever they do, the free structure differs slightly from typical adult adoption.
In such cases, the rescue will expect the owner to ensure the puppy undergoes appropriate training and neutering. The fees you’ll incur for puppies aged between 8 weeks and 6 months is $750.
German Shepherd Rescue Details
- Website: SouthWest Florida German Shepherd Rescue
- Address: 24156 Yacht Club Blvd, Punta Gorda, FL 33955
- Phone Number: 1-941 575 0243
- Facebook: SWFL GSD-Rescue
3. Big Cypress German Shepherd Rescue Florida
Big Cypress German Shepherd Rescue is committed to rescuing abandoned, homeless, and unwanted German Shepherds and puppies. The nonprofit rehabilitates dogs that end up in their care physically, emotionally, and medically before placing them in appropriate adoptive families.
If you’re not ready to rescue a German Shepherd in Florida, you can also donate, volunteer, or foster dogs. Foster a German Shepherd is a great way to get to know this dog breed without any long-term commitment. Typically, fostering can last anywhere from two weeks to several months depending not the dog’s circumstances.
German Shepherd Rescue Details
- Address: Big Cypress German Shepherd Rescue, PO Box 110462, Naples, FL 3410
- Website: Big Cypress German Shepherd Rescue Florida
- Email: [email protected]
Why you should Rescue a German Shepherd in Florida
We have given a list of all the places you can adopt a German Shepherd from in Florida. With all this in mind, we hope to have provided you with all the information needed to rescue your future pet!
Remember, adopting a German Shepherd is a huge life decision that demands careful consideration and thought. You must equally be ready to meet the dog’s needs o a long-term basis. Here are some reasons why you should consider adopting a German Shepherd in Florida.
1. Give a rescue dog another chance
Each year, it’s approximated that over 1 million cats and dogs undergo euthanization in the United States. These figures will go down tremendously if each one of us were to adopt a dog instead of buying one. This would also decrease the number of puppy mills that create unhealthy dogs.
Also, many of these shelter animals have had a past history of neglect, cruelty, and abandonment. By adopting such animals, you’ll be giving them a second chance at a good quality of life which these animals deserve.
Staff at German Shepherd rescues in Florida work tirelessly to help, rehabilitate, and nurse injured dogs back to health. They also feed and take care of the animal. However, they’re still not able to find a possible family and hence are forced to euthanize the animal due to lack of space or lack of funds. Rescuing saves a dog’s life.
2. You will save money
Shelters often spay, neuter, and vaccinate the animals under their care. This saves you a lot of money because you don’t have to pay for these procedures and it also ensures that the pet that you’re taking home is healthy.
Also, adopting a pet is always much cheaper than buying one from the breeders. Shelters only charge a low adoption fee (which is a small part of the costs the shelter incurs for the maintenance of the animal). Spaying and neutering also ensures that pet overpopulation is controlled.
3. You will help break the cycle of pet overpopulation
As kittens and puppies are in demand, there’s a practice of mass breeding being followed by pet shops and puppy farms. Adopting an older animal will help stop this illegal breeding of puppies and kittens for the sole purpose of maximizing profits, and help slow down the cycle of pet overpopulation which leads to millions of pets being euthanized each year.
4. Your house will thank you for adopting!
Kittens and puppies tend to claw, scratch, and scrape the surfaces of cushions and carpets. Having an older animal for a pet means it’s typically already trained, past the teething phase, and is more obedient.
The German Shepherd is one of America’s most famous dog breeds, which originated from Germany, as the name rightfully suggests. This breed of dog makes an excellent guard dog, guide dog for the blind, and search and rescue dog because of its guarding instincts, courage, and loyalty qualities. However, these dogs often find themselves in rescue homes because owners can no longer care for a large dog. German Shepherds don’t fully mature until about three years of age and hence even puppies find their way into rescue homes because people don’t want to live with a hyper-excited big dog
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have a German Shepherd in Florida?
The American Kennel Club (AKC) features a list of all banned breeds in the US. There is no ban on German Shepherds in Florida, and State Law adds restrictions to “dangerous dogs.” This includes dogs that have previously bitten, attacked, or inflicted severe injury on a person on public or private property.
How much does a German Shepherd cost in Florida?
A GSD in Florida can cost from $1500 to a few thousand dollars depending on bloodlines, age, gender, and the breeder’s location. Fully trained protection dogs can range between $30,000 to over $80,000.
Can German Shepherds handle Florida Heat?
During the hot and humid summer months, when temperatures can reach the high 90s, your GSD should be indoor with air conditioning. Keep your GSD with you during hurricanes, flooding, and severe thunderstorms, as with all-natural disasters. Your GSD should have shelter, plenty of fresh water, and shade if outdoors.
Do German Shepherds like Florida?
German Shepherds can adapt quickly to most environments if cared for properly with regular veterinary care, adequate exercise, training, and a high-quality diet. GSDs are intelligent and highly trainable. As an even-tempered dog breed, the GSD is one of the best breeds for experienced dog owners worldwide.
Why do so many German Shelters end up in shelters?
German Shepherds are a large, muscular dog breed that needs early socialization and positive dog training starting at puppyhood. This breed, like most breeds, also requires a schedule for exercise, feeding times, training, dog sports, etc.
To live happily with their families, German Shepherds must be handled and socialized from a young age to produce a dog that’s not afraid of new situations and well-received by strangers and friends without being aggressive or hyperactive.
Because so many GDS owners have failed to follow up with positive training and socialization, GSDs become challenging to handle and may end up at shelters.
Why you should not get a German Shepherd?
If you cannot provide the proper training, socialization, and TLC, you should not get a GSD. This is one of the most intelligent breeds to be around with specific training and socialization needs.
If you cannot provide your GSD with socialization and training and are away at work all day, you will likely end up with behavioral problems.
The GSD needs socialization with other pets, children, and people. Training your puppy GSD appropriately during his first year of development produces a GSD who is unafraid of new situations.
A trained GSD does well in dog sports, simulating the work the breed was developed to do. It also makes for a happy dog that’s a pleasure to be around.
Conclusion for German Shepherd Rescues in Florida
The German Shepherd is one of America’s most famous dog breeds, which originated from Germany, as the name rightfully suggests. This breed of dog makes an excellent guard dog, guide dog for the blind, and search and rescue dog because of its guarding instincts, courage, and loyalty qualities.
However, these dogs often find themselves in rescue homes because owners can no longer care for a large dog. German Shepherds don’t fully mature until about three years of age and hence even puppies find their way into rescue homes because people don’t want to live with a hyper-excited big dog.
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Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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