Welcome!
Greater California German Shepherd Rescue is a 501(c)(3) public charity non-profit. We are an all-volunteer group of German Shepherd lovers dedicated to rescuing German Shepherd Dogs from at-risk and unacceptable situations and finding them permanent, loving homes with qualified owners.
We serve the communities surrounding Modesto, Merced, Greater Sacramento, and South Lake Tahoe, and occasionally parts of the North and East SF Bay area. Except for a portion of Nevada around Lake Tahoe, we don't adopt dogs out of state and rarely adopt out of our area. There are too many other German Shepherds in need of good homes in the other areas.
All of our dogs are in foster homes spread throughout our service areas. We aren't a shelter and don't have a facility. We don't take in strays, we will only deal with the dog's legal owner. If you need to rehome a dog, please read the information on our Giving Us A Dog page.
If you are interested in adopting one of our wonderful German Shepherds, you can see their bios and pictures on the Available Dogs page, and you can meet them at one of our monthly Adoption Days or other community Events. The first step toward adopting one of our dogs is to read our Adoption Information page.
If you would like to help us save these deserving dogs, please see our How to Help section, where you'll find information about volunteering, fostering and sponsoring a dog. You can also help by donating and shopping with our supporters on our Partners page.
GCGSR 2025 Annual Calendar
Do you love German Shepherds? Have a passion for big-eared, long-tailed, highly-intelligent beasties who give you their heart & soul while trying to outwit you behind your back? We do, too!
Help us celebrate all of the marvelous German Shepherds we've saved throughout the year with one of our Annual Calendars.
Calendars will be available at our regular Adoption Days starting in November, or can be ordered. As always, all profits go right back into helping save more dogs.
Don't miss out!
Please contact us about our adoptable adoptable dogs!
GCGSR is holding safe, social distancing, private
Meet & Greets
with potential adopters.
info@gcgsr.org or 877-268-0255.
Please use AmazonSmile - every purchase supports rescue!!
"An energetic, loyal and devoted companion, the German Shepherd isn’t a breed but a lifestyle."
German Shepherd Dog Breed Information - vetSTREET. Your pet. Your vet.
Check out and download WoofTrax
Don't just take your dog for a walk... Take your Walk for a Dog!
Go to WoofTrax.com, download the app, and support Greater California German Shepherd Rescue every time you walk your dog.
The 30 Day Leadership Protocol
Read a great article on Leadership and your German Shepherd (or any dog).Our Latest Adopted Dogs
Check out our adopted dogs on our Happy Tails page! All of our dogs have their own page on our website FOREVER!
Please send us an update on a dog you adopted from Greater California German Shepherd Rescue and we'll add it to our Testimonials.
About German Shepherd Dogs
German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs) 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, mouthy and BOSSY! 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 all-around
all-purpose
dog than a good German Shepherd who is well-trained and well-socialized.
German Shepherds come in a wide variety of temperaments and energy levels. For an explanation of how we match them to the right home, read our Dog Rating Levels.
"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."
Donate!
All of our rescue dogs go to the vet when they come into the program for health checks, spay/neuter, vaccinations, heartworm tests and other preventive care. Some need more extensive treatment, and for that we have The Rainbow Fund. On rare occasions, we may need to board some dogs in commercial kennels.
Our adoption fee generally covers less than half of our average costs per dog, so we need to make up the difference with charitable donations. Checks, cash, and dog supplies are always helpful. Easiest of all, you can donate directly using PayPal!
(Most credit cards accepted even if you do not have a Paypal Account)
If you'd prefer to provide a specific item, please visit our Amazon Wish List:
We also take Memorial Donations.
We thank you, and the dogs thank you! Greater California German Shepherd Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization, and your donations are tax deductible. Our EIN# is 36-4614672. Acknowledgement letters upon request.
Check Out Our Partners!
More opportunities to help us save dogs can be found on our Partners page.