Adoption Pending Dogs
These dogs are in Foster-to-Adopt homes. This gives prospective adopters 30 days to foster the dog in their own home before finalizing the adoption. We feel that a 30 day trial period is a good start to know whether the dog will be happy in that household and whether the household will be happy with the dog! Dogs will often act more cautiously for the first 2 weeks, so a full month of dealing with the dog during your regular routine is very important.
If you are interested in becoming a regular foster home or in our Foster-to-Adopt program, please read our Fostering Agreement. We actively encourage Foster-To-Adopt!
Artie
Adoption Pending!
Artie is a big, classic black and tan boy, approximately 6 years old. He was originally brought into rescue around 5 years ago; he has been adopted out twice. His most recent return was due to the unfortunate loss of his owner, and at that time Artie lost his stability and leadership. He did what typical, confident German Shepherds will do in that situation and assumed the leadership role -- which meant becoming more assertive toward strangers who came onto his property.
Since being returned, Artie has been in two foster homes with strong leadership and lots of structure; he seems to flourish in that type of environment. Artie enjoys riding in vehicles, does well jogging next to a bike, loves going for walks, enjoys hanging out with his 5 foster pack buddies, and has good house manners.
This is a Level 3 Dog! Please be sure you understand what this level of dog requires.
Added February 2012
Gretzky
Adoption Pending!
Gretzky is a substantial male German Shepherd with a gorgeous black and red coat. He is approximately 1 year old and weighs about 70 pounds. He was an unclaimed stray out of the Sacramento area, so nothing is known of his background. He entered the shelter with a fractured left front leg. UC Davis has reviewed his case, and determined that his leg does not need surgery and will heal nicely with 6-8 weeks of splinting.
Gretzky is a very happy-go-lucky dog, and loves to meet and greet just about anyone. He is a very affectionate dog, and loves petting and a good belly rub. He has gotten along with all of the male and female dogs in his foster home so far. Unknown with cats.
This is a Level 2 Dog!
Added April 2012
Lada
Adoption Pending!
Are you looking for a German Shepherd who is a whole lada cute? A whole lada sweet? And who wants to be a whole lada princess? Then look no further than Lada!
Lada is about 12 months old, housebroken, and has very nice house manners. She prefers to sleep by your bed at night, so she can greet you first thing in the morning with a big sweet kiss. She loves to cuddle and play with toys. She gets along with the other male GSDs in her foster home but would not do well in a home with another female dog. She appears to have strong prey drive, so will need a home with no cats, critters or small dogs.
This is a Level 2 Dog!
Added April 2012
Mabel
Adoption Pending!
Mabel is a 2-3 year old, classic black and tan girl, who was a very pregnant unclaimed stray at the Modesto pound back in November of 2011. She soon delivered a litter of puppies (Dana, Penny Lane, Tina, Zip) that turned out to be purebred German Shepherds, all in their new homes already!
This pretty girl is very affectionate and playful with her people. Mabel gets along well with other dogs in the household and is good with cats. She was apparently used as a brood bitch, as she doesn't have much experience out and about in the world and needs to catch up on her social skills with other dogs and people. She's a perfect House Princess at home, but she can get anxious and reactive when taken out in public.
This is a Level 2 Dog!
Added February 2012
Ophelia
Adoption Pending!
Ophelia is a cute, petite, 1-2 year old German Shepherd mix, black and tan with white toes. She was an unclaimed stray from a Sacramento shelter.
Although housebroken, Ophelia is learning the house rules of staying off the furniture and not jumping up on people. She has been very quiet inside, however, if left outside alone for long, she'll howl at the door to come in.
She gets along easily with the three GSDs in her foster home and indoor cats so far. She sleeps quietly through the night in her crate, and rides nicely in the car.
This is a Level 2 Dog!
Added March 2012
Panzer
Adoption Pending!
Panzer is a big, striking bicolor male about 2 to 2 1/2 years old. Named after a German Tank, this boy sits at a stocky 100 lbs. He was an unclaimed stray from Placer county.
An energetic and enthusiastic boy, he is still learning manners. He likes to be with and around his people, and sometimes thinks he is a lapdog. Panzer has gotten along with the male and female dogs in his foster home so far. He can be a little dominant and intimidating to the other dogs, but really just wants to play with them. Panzer has high prey drive so no cats or other small critters.
NO CATS OR SMALL, FURRY CRITTERS.
This is a Level 3 Dog! Please be sure you understand what this level of dog requires.
Added November 2011
Perun
Adoption Pending!
Perun is an unclaimed stray from the Sacramento area, so nothing is known of his background. This lean, handsome black and tan young man is 12 to 18 months old. Weighing approximately 75 pounds, he could stand to fill out a bit.
He is friendly, confident and upbeat. He enjoys attention from his foster parent, giving brief licks in return. He stays near and follows but is not clingy. During free time, he checks back with his foster regularly for confirmation and pats, and comes readily when called. He is just beginning to learn basics such as leash skills, sit, and wait, but doesn't pull on the leash. He is responsive to training, takes correction well if it is given clearly, and follows the examples of the resident dogs to quickly learn new things.
No cats or other small furry critters for this young man.
This is a Level 2 Dog!
Added April 2012
Trex
Adoption Pending!
Trex is a moderately large, male bicolor German Shepherd, approximately 3 years old and weighing about 80 pounds. He was an unclaimed stray out of the Sacramento area.
Trex is housebroken, crate-trained, and well-mannered. He has a very easy-going personality with people, and loves to meet, greet and lick anyone and has been good with people of all sizes so far. He is a very affectionate dog, and will happily curl up at your feet if you're reading a book, working at a computer or watching TV.
Trex is easy to walk, and walks with a bouncy step. He's very quiet and neither barks nor whines excessively. He will respect a child gate, so parts of the house can be easily closed off to him. He might be able to live with a cat if properly supervised.
This dog is a Level 2 Dog!
Added February 2012
Tyson
Adoption Pending!
Tyson is a classically handsome 5 year old male. He weighs around 80-85 pounds, and has very classic features and markings. He was an owner turn-in to Sacramento SPCA with his Sheltie buddy and seems to like small dogs.
His basic temperament is non-dominant, moderate to low energy, well-mannered, and a bit of a "house princess." He prefers the couch or your bed to his own dog bed, but is respectful if you tell him no. He will sleep quietly in a crate or in your bedroom with you, and appears to be housebroken.
This is a Level 2 Dog
Added January 2012
Una
Adoption Pending!
Una is one of two girl puppies rescued from Modesto with her momma, Nolla, and 5 brothers. Our best guess is that they were whelped around the first of December. While Nolla is a purebred German Shepherd, it appears that daddy wasn't (maybe Doberman Pinscher?).
This little cutie has a tan coat and black muzzle with touches of white and black on her chest, feet, and tail. Una is still very shy around people, so will need a patient, calm household to acclimate to her forever home.
NOTE: Updated pictures taken March 3, 2012 at 3 months old, so she won't look like this for long! Starting to look more like a German Shepherd!
This is a Level 2 Dog!
Added February 2012
Wesley
Adoption Pending!
Wesley is a very handsome juvenile, approximately 9-10 months old, that came to us terribly underweight at 56 lbs, and in poor shape with missing hair from demodex.
Wesley had not seen the inside of a home, and was desperate for both food and attention. With all that said, he has a tremendous temperament. Wesley needs someone with a true understanding of socializing, and he will mature into a sensationally handsome and well-rounded dog.
This is a Level 2 Dog!
Added April 2012
Zealand
Adoption Pending!
Zealand is a 10-11 month old Belgian Malinois with pretty gold eyes that just match his pretty golden coat. His owner chose not to claim him from the Modesto pound even though he had been notified that his dog was there.
This charmer has quite a bit to say about himself. He'll talk and squeak if he isn't right by his people. He has great house manners, sleeps quietly in his crate at night, and has not had any accidents in the house. He loves to play with other social dogs, and readily jumps in the car to go for a ride. If he gets bored, he will find something to chew, as will most dogs his age. He is very connected to his people, and does not like being left alone, or he will escape a crate or jump a 6' fence.
This dog is a Level 2 Dog!
Added January 2012
Zera
Adoption Pending!
Zera is a very pretty bicolor girl of about 4 years of age. She weighs about 60 pounds, so she's just a bit on the small side for a German Shepherd. She was surrendered by her previous owners to the SPCA, they stated they did not have the means to care for her any longer.
Zera has lived inside, and is housebroken and trustworthy. She sleeps quietly in a crate at night. She is quiet outside, and doesn't seem to chime in when the neighborhood dogs decide to bark. She is easy-going and seems to just want to hang out with her people. She is affectionate and extremely friendly with people, other dogs, and even cats so far.
This dog is a Level 2 Dog!
Added February 2012
GCGSR Dog Rating Levels
Level 1 – Soft & Submissive (full description)
Level 2 – Moderate & Adaptable (full description)
Level 3 – Confident & Challenging (full description)
Level 4 – Competitive & Intense (full description)
Level 5 – Tough & Serious (full description)
The benefits of a German Shepherd—loyalty, protectiveness and eagerness, to name a few—come from careful obedience training and authority. Everyone in the household must be prepared to show “authority” and earn the dog’s respect with a firm but loving touch. They do not respond to negativity or anger. Once achieved, this respect may need to be earned again and again.