Gallant Edge German Shepherds

• Used as "bait" to training fighting dogs to kill
• Used as food for snakes, or people
• Sold to labs for experimentation
• Sacrificed or tortured for occult purposes
• Abandoned in the country where they die of starvation, disease, predation from other animals and gunshot wounds from ranchers protecting their property
• Injured or killed by unsupervised children or other pets
• Maimed or killed by cars
• Irresponsibly dumped at the pound to be euthanized

1. Write a newspaper Ad
   1. The trick to a good ad is writing one that will generate inquiries (while not misrepresenting the dog) and, at the same time, do some preliminary screening for you.  You need a concise description of your dog, his needs, your requirements and your telephone number.  Include the following.
      1. Breed
      2. Color
      3. Sex
      4. Neutered or Spayed
      5. Indication of age
      6. Selling points (characteristics)
      7. Pre-Qualify homes (requirements)
      8. Your First Name
      9. Your Telephone Number
      Hint:  If your dog is under one and a half state his age in months, he will be perceived as a young dog.  If he is between one and a half and three, describe him as a young adult.  If he is over three, describe him as an adult.  There is a distinct advantage to adopting an older dog, and you may find it necessary to educate prospective owners.
   2. Emphasize your dog's "selling points".  Keep physical descriptions brief and concentrate on personality traits and other advantages.  Is he friendly, housebroken, obedience trained, loves kids and cats, rides well in cars.  Don't keep it a secret, but don't exaggerate either; knowing his name does not make a dog obedience trained.
   3. By now you have decided on what kind of a home you are trying to obtain--target that audience.  Pre-qualify homes by stating definite requirements in a positive manner:
      1.  No cats
      2. Fine with older kids, or find with kids over 10
      3. Quiet, mature family pet
      4. Ideal for senior
      Always state "references required".  This lets people know that you are a concerned pet owner who wants to do right by his dog and the people can be prepared to answer a barrage of questions.
   4. NEVER include the phrases "free to a good home", even if its true.  In fact, don't put any price at all.  While it is true that "free" will generate a lot of calls, the quality of the callers s generally poor.  Not stating a price gives you a lot of latitude.  You can easily tell the wrong caller that the dog is $1,000.00 and just as easily give the dog "free' to the perfect family on a fixed income, if you want  to.  We recommend asking for a minimal adoption fee to help cover the expenses you've incurred for advertising, vet care and to give you an indication of the type of home you've found.  Someone not willing to pay a small amount for a fully vetted, cared for dog may also cut corners financially in the future with regards to veterinary care or nutrition.
   5. Include your telephone number.  Instruct the person taking the ad to abbreviate as much as possible.  Your ad should read something like this:

GERM. SHEP. Young adult, blk/tan, male, neutered.  Friendly, housebroken.  No cats.  Fenced yd, Ref. Required.  123-4567

1. Flyer - Develop a flyer containing a picture of the dog (action shots are more interesting) and more detailed information.  Copy these and post them at work, in veterinarian's offices, groomers, pet supply stores, supermarkets, obedience training classes, any other community bulletin boards.  Follow up with phone calls and personal visits which include the dog when possible and reasonable.
2. Word of Mouth - Inform all your friends, co-workers, relatives, front desk staff of veterinarian's about the availability of the dog.  Give everyone a flyer.
3. Free Publications - Research local publication which may permit free advertising
4. Phone Referral - Rescue - List the animal as available with your local German Shepherd and All Breed Rescue Organization to obtain phone referrals from them.

1. Talking to prospective adopters can be frustrating and time consuming.  Refer to the attached "adoption questionnaire" for examples of questions you might want to ask callers.  Make copies and fill in the information as you speak to callers.  People usually talk easily about dogs and this information helps you pick out the right family.
   1. Get the name and number first in case you are disconnected.
   2. Ask whether or not there are children and their ages.   If the dog is not good with children, be up front with the caller.  Almost without exception, young dogs (under2) are a bad choice for a family with young children.  The dog simply does not have the maturity to deal non-violently with the kind of play kids engage in.  A large dog or a puppy that will become a large dog can easily injure a child in play and a small dog or young puppy can easily be hurt by a child.  An adult dog whose disposition and behavior with children is proven as the best choice for a family with small kids.  Don't waste your time or theirs.
   3. Find out if they currently have other pets.  If your dog is not good with cats, for example, forget it.  Does your dog get along with dogs of the same sex?Neutering will not change aggressive tendencies so don't think that now thathe is neutered he will get along with other males.  Remember - you want this adoption to be permanent.  So ask the right questions and make sure that your desire to place the dog does not cloud your good judgement.
      1. Ask why they want a German Shepherd.  Look for someone who wants a Household companion.  Beware of people seeking a dog for guarding or breeding purposes.  Guard dogs are often discarded when their usefulness is over, and the last thing you want to do is contribute to the overpopulation problem by allowing breeding. If someone wants the dog as a gift for a relative or friend insist that the person who will spend the next decade with the dog be involved in the selection.
      2. If the family has no pets, or no dogs currently, find out if they have ever had any and what happened to them.  The answer will give you an indication of the type of future your dog will face.  People who have never had animals before should be advised of the considerable expense and responsibility involved in caring for them, including exercise, feed bills and veterinary needs.
      3. Stay away from anyone who has had a significant number of pets in a short period of time.  It will be unlikely that your dog would last there long either.  Someone who has had several animals who were either stolen, killed by cars, lost or given away is undoubtedly a poor prospect.
      4. How long ago did they have pets?  Could a first time owner or someone who hasn't had a pet in a long time be able to handle your dog?
      5. Are they prepared to educate or re-educate your dog?
      6. If they have had a pet within the last year get the name of the animal and vet they used.  Call for a reference.
      7. Does the family own the home they live in?  Are they renting? If so, does their lease allow pets?  Get the Name of the Landlord or condo association and make sure the animal is allowed.
      8. Do they have a fenced Yard?  People without an enclosed yard can allow the dog to run loose, which is illegal and dangerous, or chain the dog up which is a frustrating, desolate existence.  Tell them you will want to see the yard.  Get their address and check it out.  Make sure the address actually exists and that the neighborhood seems suitable.
      9. Where will they keep the dog? Be wary of people who talk about having the dog live in the garage, on the back porch, in the yard or in the basement.  They are probably not interested in making the animal a household companion.  Dogs being a pack animal require a tremendous amount of human interaction.  Unless the family spends ten hours a day in the backyard an intention to keep the dog outside at all times is an indication that the dog will be isolated and alone most of its lifetime.
      10. How much time do they have to spend with the dog? People in situations where the dog will be unsupervised for more than a few hous a day should not adopt a young animal (one under several months of age) and are very likely to experience behavior problems that arise from bordom and lack of timely discipline.  People with young children are unlikely to have time to spend with the dog.  Many parents seek a pet thinking that the pet and the children will entertain each other.  They find that young children quickly lose interest in the pet; the pet has a great ned for the mature interaction that only adults can give it and the pet not only doesn't make less work for them but actually makes more.
      11. Who will have primary responsibility for the dog?  Will the adults in the family be responsible for the daily care of the pet?  Its fine for children to participate in the care of the animal, but the ultimate responsibility must always rest with the adult.
      12. If they move or travel what will happen?  Caring for an animal is a 10-15 year commitment.  Remind prospects they may have to board animals during vacations and must plan for their needs if contemplating a move.
      13. Get two personal references.  Even someone who does not now nor has ever owned a pet should know two people who can vouch for what kind of human being they are.
      14. Will they let you do a home interview?
   4. Questions for the Vet
      1. Explain that John and Jane Doe have asked to adopt your dog and you want to make sure the dog will get a good home.  Most vets are happy to cooperate.
      2. Ask whether their pets get regular vaccinations and annual stool checks.
      3. Is their dog on a year round heartworm preventative?
      4. Were the pets spayed or neutered?
      5. If the answers are positive, you can be reasonably sure that the same will be done for your pet.
   5. Questions for Personal References
      1. How long have they known the Doe's?
      2. Do they have any pets now?
      3. Have they had any pets in the past that you know of?
      4. Are their pets well cared for?
      5. Is their yard fenced in?  (This will tell you just how well they know each other.  If you get a different answer than what you expect, you will have to do some further investigating.
      6. If they were placing one of their own pets, would they give it to the Doe's?
   6. If the preliminary screening and reference calls are positive, call the family and make an appointment for them to see your dog.  Let them know you will not make any final decision until all applicants have been screened.  The dog will be friendliest to strangers when its a familiar environment so its best to do this in your own home.  Encourage them to come when all family members can be present--its a family decision, and gives you a chance to meet all the people who will be handling your pet and make sure its a unanimous decision to get the pet in the first place.
   7. At the interview, watch how they react with your dog.  Do they seem to approach the animal in n experienced way?  Are they sensitive to the animal's reaction to them?  Do they supervise children tan teach them to be gentle and patient?  Do the kids seem like they respect the pet?
   8. If you and your dog like them and they like you and your dog, set up a time to visit their home with the dog.  Do not allow them to take the dog without first seeing their home.  This is the only way you can verify who they say they are.  If it appears that something may not work out or something gives you a bad feeling, take the dog back with you.
   9. If the adopting family already has the dog you will want the dos to meet on a neutral territory, like a park.  Most dogs will resent a strange dog on their territory, and your dog's first impression of other dogs is hard to change.  Your best chance of successful relations between the dogs is ALWAYS on neutral ground.
   10. If everything seems positive and you decide to place the dog with them deliver the dog and remind them of the following:
       1. Even a housebroken dog will have an accident or two within the first few days.  Suggest using a crate as a housebreaking tool.  Rehoming is very stressful on the dog and a period of adjustment and even mourning will occur.
       2. The average dog takes one to 3 days to settle in.  Some may take longer.  Suggest the new owners keep the dog's schedule as close as possible to its usual one for the first few days.  Dogs need a period of adjustment just like humans do when we are relocated.
       3. Don't force the dog into anything like a bath or obedience exercises until it has had time to settle in a bit.
   11. Make sure the family understands the nature of the commitment they are making to your dog.  Tell the new family that you want to keep in touch to make sure that everything is working out okay and will call in a few days if they have not called you.  Tell them to call if there are any questions or problems.  Remind them the dog is to be returned to you if it does not work out.
   12. Provide the following:
       1. Written list of any medications and feeding instructions (include some of his food in the adoption package).
       2. Write down the dogs schedule; when it normally eats, exercises and goes out, etc.
       3. Send a favorite toy or blanket with the dog to make him feel more secure in his new surroundings.
       4. Be sure the dog is wearing an ID tag with your number and the number of the new owner.  Advise the new owner not to leave the dog unattended; a sense of belonging takes time to develop.
       5. Give the new family copies of all records, i.e., vaccinations, certificates, pedigrees, etc.  Wait until the trial period is completed to sign over the AKC registration if applicable and to give them the Originals.
       6. List the names and numbers of training classes/trainers and your local breed rescue and encourage the new owners to call rescue for the general help and advice.
       7. Have the family sign an informal adoption agreement which includes a waiver of liability.  (you should do this to protect yourself even if the dog has never bitten anyone or destroyed any property.  You have no crystal ball to enable you to predict what the dog might do in the future.  Note:  a waiver of liability will not protect you if you have misrepresented the dog.  If you think your dog may injure anyone, you should not be placing him in a new home.

1. Do Not sell or give your dog to a pet shop.  Persons operating pet stores are concerned with running a profit-making business and often have little or no concern about what happens to the animals after they leave the store.  Animals are sold to people buying on impulse and to people who are unfit to care for an animal.
2. Do not abandon your dog in the country or on the streets.  Instant death by humane methods is better than a slow death by disease, exposure, starvation, being crushed under the wheels of a car or the painful living death of negligence or cruelty.
3. If your German Shepherd Friend is old consider taking your dog to the veterinarian to be euthanized if you absolutely cannot keep him.  Animals that have been with you a long time suffer and pine terribly and will never understand what they did wrong that made you leave them.  Always remain with the dog to relieve his anxiety.  Any animal who has given you the best he had to offer over the years deserves nothing less than this dignified end.