Frequently asked questions

Each dog's adoption fee is listed on their profile. The fee helps cover the care every dog receives while with us: a veterinary exam, vaccinations, deworming and flea/tick prevention, plus a microchip and spay/neuter surgery when the dog’s health allows. Fees go straight back into rescuing the next German Shepherd.

No. We are a foster-based rescue and do not operate a kennel or shelter facility. Every German Shepherd in our care lives with one of our partner foster families, who feed them, care for them and welcome them into their home while we find them a permanent placement. This keeps our dogs comfortable and well cared for, and it lets us tell adopters exactly how each dog behaves in a real home.

1. Browse our available German Shepherds and submit an adoption application.
2. A volunteer will review your application and contact you, usually within a few days.
3. We schedule a meet-and-greet with the dog (and any dogs already in your home).
4. If it is a great match, we finish the adoption paperwork and your new companion goes home with you.

Central Valley German Shepherd Rescue is located in and serves California’s Central Valley. We place German Shepherds with families throughout the valley. Meet-and-greets are by appointment only.

Yes. When we have space available, we accept German Shepherds whose owners can no longer keep them. Fill out the Surrender a Dog form and tell us about your dog. Because we are a small rescue, intake depends on how many of our foster homes have room, so please contact us as early as you can.

Our focus is purebred German Shepherds and German Shepherd–dominant mixes. If you are unsure whether your dog qualifies, send us a message with a photo and we will be happy to help.

Every dog that enters our rescue is examined by a veterinarian and receives age-appropriate vaccinations, deworming and parasite prevention. Dogs are spayed or neutered and microchipped before adoption whenever their health allows. Any known medical history is shared with adopters.

Our adopters are mostly in Central California, but we consider applicants anywhere in California who can come to the Central Valley to meet the dog and pick them up.

A securely fenced yard is strongly preferred for most German Shepherds, but each dog is different. Tell us about your home and lifestyle in the application and we will help find a dog that fits.

You can foster, volunteer, donate or simply share our dogs on social media. Every share helps a German Shepherd find a home faster.