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Credentials
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GSD Homefinders is a non-profit-making voluntary association: no-one involved in the work of the association receives payment.
Homeless German Shepherd dogs are brought to us by the public, other welfare societies, the police, dog wardens and veterinary surgeons.
Over the years we have become aware that some people and businesses take in dogs for re-homing as a source of money-making. Often these dogs are sold to any buyer who will pay for the dog, without any checks on the suitability of the home. Sometimes the dogs, even though unsuited, are "trained" for security work, which may involve harsh or cruel methods. Some of these dogs are then sold for export to countries with a bad record on animal welfare.
GSD Homefinders operates in accordance with our Mission Statement. We have NEVER placed a German Shepherd dog in a home unless we considered that home suitable for that dog. If the day ever came when pressure of time or finances caused us to do otherwise, then we would give up our work.
Sources of homes include referrals from veterinary surgeons, who pass on our name to prospective owners (who are usually experienced with GSDs) and recommendations from people who have had a GSD from us.
Prospective owners are first vetted by phone, then invited to meet the German Shepherd dog we feel matches their situation. They learn of his or her history but they are not permitted to take the dog home with them on this first meeting: they need to consider with the greatest care whether this GSD is the one for them.
New owners sign a legally-binding contract, drawn up by a contract law specialist. Clauses include a prohibition on breeding and an undertaking to return the dog to us if at any time in the future the new owner cannot keep the dog: in this way we never lose final control of the dog's fate.
Because of the length of time we have now been doing this work, many of the new owners have had a dog from us in the past and are therefore already known to us.
We keep in touch with the new owners until we are satisfied the dog has settled in to his or her new home.
Indeed, a benefit of our work is that over the years many owners of our dogs have become long-standing friends and at Christmas we receive stacks of cards, letters and photos of some of the hundreds of German Shepherd dogs found homes by GSD Homefinders.
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