Are you searching for a German Shepherd Rescue in New York? Well, you just found the most reliable list of GSD rescues in New York in a single place.
These are the top 5 German Shepherd rescues in New York:
- German Shepherd Rescue of NY
- BrightStar German Shepherd Rescue
- German Shepherd Rescue of the Finger Lakes
- German Shepherd Rescue of Western New York
- Rescue City
These rescues have aspects that set them apart in the mission of saving and rehoming German Shepherds. Find out the unique characteristics of each in the rest of the article.
German Shepherd Rescues in New York
Anyone looking for an adoptive GSD in New York is bound to be successful, whether you go for the breed-specific German Shepherd Rescue of NY or the all-breed Rescue City.
1. German Shepherd Rescue of NY
The German Shepherd Rescue of NY was founded in Delmar following the horrifying reality of dog overpopulation in shelters. The founders realized that many dogs in shelters are just a number on the list of those waiting to be put to sleep and decided to do something about it.
What the Rescue Does
The German Shepherd Rescue of NY responds to consistent daily calls to save dogs at risk of euthanasia. They give the dogs a second chance at life by saving, rehabilitating, and finding a forever home for them.
The not-for-profit organization also invests in community education. The goal is to make others aware of this needy situation and invite them to be part of the solution.
How You Can Help
You can be part of the Rescue’s noble mission by becoming a foster. You can also help with monetary donations or dog care equipment on their wish list.
For a long-lasting solution, you can commit to adopting a GSD by following this process:
- Download the adoption application form from the Rescue’s website, fill it out in detail, scan, and send it as a PDF via email to [email protected].
- Attach, to the application, pictures of yourself, your home, family members, and pets.
- Pay a $10 application fee via PayPal.
- Allow a Facetime interview and virtual home check.
The remaining steps of the adoption process will follow once your application has the go-ahead. You’ll be required to make an adoption donation of $550 for adult dogs and $600 for puppies.
If you need specific info about the Rescue or the adoption process, you attend the adoption clinics. Find details about the visits on their website or follow them on Facebook.
2. BrightStar German Shepherd Rescue
BrightStar German Shepherd Rescue was founded in 2002 in Rochester, New York. The founding volunteers were people knowledgeable about the GSD breed, including long-term GSD owners, trainers, handlers, and other breed enthusiasts. They all had the goal of rescuing and rehoming German Shepherd Dogs.
​BrightStar’s Commitment to Rescued Dogs
Rescued GSDs at BrightStar come from shelters and other rescues or from surrendering breeders and owners.
Once at the Rescue, the dogs receive nutrition and medical care, socialization, and basic training. This way, the pets are ready to be part of a temporary foster family and a forever home later. To achieve this mission, BrightStar pulls together the efforts of many collaborators, and you can also be one of them.
How you can Collaborate with BrightStar Rescue
Becoming a volunteer or a foster are the main ways you can be a part of the rescuing and rehoming mission at BrightStar.
Alternatively, you can make monetary or equipment donations towards the care of the GSDs or commit long-term by adopting a dog.
To adopt a dog from BrightStar Rescue, fill out and submit an application form and pay a $20 application fee. You’ll then wait for the adoption volunteers to talk to your personal and vet references and conduct a home visit.
Only persons living around Rochester and with proof of yearly heartworm tests and prevention for any current pets are allowed to adopt.
You can view available dogs on the website or attend upcoming meet-and-greets. Find details about these meetings on the Rescue’s website. You may also request additional info by emailing the relevant contact person on their contact page.
3. German Shepherd Rescue of the Finger Lakes
The German Shepherd Rescue of the Finger Lakes is a relatively new breed-specific Rescue. It started in 2020 in Otisco, New York.
Like other breed-specific rescues, Finger Lakes Rescue works with volunteers to save, rehabilitate, and rehome abandoned and surrendered German Shepherds.
You can be part of the Rescue’s young mission by making monetary donations or becoming a volunteer. You can also donate supplies through their chewy wish list. Most significantly, you can open the doors of your home and adopt a needy GSD.
The Finger Lakes Rescue is still in the process of building information on its website. As such, you’ll need to contact personnel at the Rescue for details about available and adoptable dogs. You can also make inquiries by emailing [email protected] or posting mail to PO Box 749 Lafayette, NY 13084.
Alternatively, complete the Adoption Form on their website and wait for volunteers at the Rescue to communicate and guide you through the rest of the process.
4. German Shepherd Rescue of Western New York
The German Shepherd Rescue of Western New York is not yet a registered dog rescue. It is a Facebook platform created in 2014 where lost GSDs and GSD mixes in Western Town, New York, can be reunited with their owners.
However, members of the group also work with other dog rescues to save and rehome GSDs from shelters. They also educate others about dogs in need of rehoming.
Although still on the journey of becoming an established rescue, we find the group a reliable source of information because it has an up-to-date Facebook presence. This means anyone looking for a German Shepherd rescue in New York could find an adoptive dog on or through this platform.
5. Rescue City
Rescue City is an all-breed charitable organization in Brooklyn, New York, that saves dogs from kill shelters. The rescue does not discriminate against any dog on breed, health, age, size, or personality grounds. Such inclusiveness demands commitment and a unique way of carrying out the dog rescue and rehoming mission.
Unique About the Rescue
As a foster-based organization, Rescue City places rescued dogs in foster homes while they wait to find their forever homes. Volunteers at the Rescue carry out rescue journeys to open-intake shelters and save dogs that don’t find room in such shelters.
As part of the rehoming process, the Rescue provides support and education to prospective owners so that both owner and dog have the best experience that leads to a lasting relationship.
Every rescued dog undergoes medical and temperamental assessment, and if needed, it is altered, vaccinated, and microchipped.
All this is possible thanks to the donations received by the Rescue from well-wishers. All donated funds go to rescue transportation costs, food, and vet expenses for dogs in foster homes.
Want to Help?
If you want to be part of Rescue City’s Mission, you can make money or dog care equipment donations. You can also apply to be a volunteer or foster parent. Adopting a dog from a rescue will give a needy dog a forever home.
If you are looking for a German Shepherd, Rescue City could have the dog you are looking for. In fact, I was able to read the bios of two lovely German Shepherds from the Rescue’s ‘Available Dogs’ page at the time of writing this post.
Adopting any dog from Rescue City follows these four steps:
- Fill out and submit an adoption application form with a $15 application processing fee.
- Allow the adoption team time to review your request and contact your vet, landlord, and personal references.
- Take part in a phone interview and allow a virtual home check.
- Sign the adoption contract and bring home your new furry friend.
The adoption fee is decided on age and goes from $350 for senior dogs, $500 for adult dogs >1 to 8 years, and $600 for puppies.
If you have any queries about the Rescue or the adoption process, you’ll find useful info on the Rescue’s website. You may also send an email to [email protected] or become part of their Facebook following and learn about new GSD arrivals as soon as they are available for adoption.
German Shepherd Dog Clubs in New York
German Shepherd dog clubs are a fun and reliable way to connect with other owners of dogs in the breed. If you are not yet a GSD owner and want to adopt, joining a club could be the easiest way to find a German Shepherd rescue in New York.
These two GSD clubs are excellent starting points:
| German Shepherd Dog Club of Rochester | https://www.gsdcrocny.org |
| Iroquois German Shepherd Dog Club | https://iroquoisgsdc.com |
Helpful German Shepherd Articles
If you’re undecided about rescuing a German Shepherd, or if you need more information, these guides may be just what you need:
- German Shepherd Pros and Cons: What To Consider Before Buying
- Costs of Owning a German Shepherd: With 21 Examples!
- Long-Haired GSD vs. Short Hair: What’s the Difference?
- Working vs. Show Line German Shepherds: Key Differences
Final Thoughts
Adopting or fostering a dog from a German Shepherd rescue in New York is a great way to help reduce the number of homeless canines in the state.
A breed-specific or an all-breed rescue in the state needs people like you to be part of their dog-saving and rehoming mission. You only need to make the decision!
Hey! Are you looking for a German Shepherd rescue countrywide? Check out this article, 45 Best German Shepherd Rescues In The US.
