Welcome!
Support our upcoming fundraiser!
Greater California German Shepherd Rescue is an all volunteer group dedicated to rescuing German Shepherd Dogs from unacceptable situations and finding them permanent, loving homes with qualified owners.
We serve the Greater Sacramento, Central San Joaquin Valley down to Merced, the North Bay and occasionally parts of the East Bay, including area codes 209, 707, 916, parts of 530 and, to a lesser extent, area codes 510 and 925. We don't adopt out or state or outside of our areas, and we require a home visit from one of our volunteers before placing a dog.
To find out how you can help us in these efforts, please see our How to Help section, where you'll find information about donating, volunteering, and fostering. We also have opportunities for Sponsoring a dog.
If you are interested in adopting one of our German Shepherds, please see the Dogs section for listings of adoptable dogs and our Calendar for a schedule of our Adoption events. The first step toward adopting one of our dogs is to fill out an Adoption Questionnaire. 
You can find us on Petfinder
Follow us on Facebook.
Upcoming Events
Our Rainbow Fund Needs Replenishing! Can you help?
New boy, Tobias, has had surgery to repair his elbow dysplasia and as of his 4-week checkup he was healing right on schedule. With a screw, a steel rod, careful post-op care and rehabilitation, and a few weeks rest, Tobias is expected to be pain-free and able enjoy a normal life. He is already bearing full weight on the leg with no sign of pain; in fact, he thinks he's ready to go romp and play, though he actually has a few weeks to go before he can be allowed to enjoy off-leash privileges.
Between Tobias’s, Smoky's, and Knox's surgery, our Rainbow Fund has been seriously depleted. Your tax-deductible donation of any amount will help us care for these wonderful dogs. We are a small non-profit organization and depend entirely on donations and adoption fees. With your help, we can save wonderful, deserving dogs like Tobias, Smoky, and Knox. Without it, our ability to help dogs with special medical needs is severely limited at best.
Please reach into your heart and wallet and send what you can to help these deserving dogs. Thank you!
About German Shepherds
German Shepherds aren't for everyone. They're big, energetic dogs with long tails, and can 
clear a coffee table with one swipe. They have a lot of hair with a double coat, and that means they shed year round - and they shed a LOT.
They're active, alert, assertive, noisy and mouthy. They take work - a LOT of work. They need socialization, leadership, exercise and a job, or they'll find their own amusements, usually by chewing, digging, barking or escaping. They tend to get territorial and protective.
If you don't mind all that, if you understand and love the breed, and are willing to put the necessary work into one, you'll end up with a very intelligent, very devoted, and very responsible member of the family. There isn't a finer family dog or for all-around purposes than a good German Shepherd who is well trained and well socialized.
"The German Shepherd Dog is known throughout the world for his uncanny intelligence and faithfulness. This versatile breed has well-earned the reputation as family companion, guide dog, police dog, and, of course, herder."
– American Kennel Club
Donate
Our rescue dogs need vaccinations and other preventive care, and some need more extensive treatment. When we have more dogs than foster homes, we need to board some dogs in commercial kennels. Since our adoption fee covers less than half of our costs per dog, we need revenue from other sources. Checks, cash, and dog supplies are always helpful. Easiest of all, you can donate directly from this Web page, using PayPal!
Thank you! Greater California German Shepherd Rescue is a public nonprofit (501c3) charitable organization, and your donations are tax deductible.
We also need a variety of supplies, including dog bowls and leashes. We are short on German Shepherd-size dog crates and choke, prong, and flat collars. We need camping canopies and a small trailer to support our adoption events. Donated supplies can be dropped off at our Adoption Days or by appointment, and we'll send you a thank-you note for your records.
We welcome Memorial Donations.