Wonderful organization. We adopted our 2 current dogs indirectly, from an EDWSR foster family. We have been involved with some EDWSR transports all of which were managed beautifully. We were just recently approved to be EDWSR fosters and are scheduled to meet our first foster dog this weekend. The process to become fosters and hopeful adopters was very well orchestrated amongst a wide network of passionate, hard working people. Everyone has been kind, helpful and encouraging. We're looking forward to working closely with this wonderful organization for many years.
We are very disappointed with Echo. We adopted a dog in 2007 from Echo. Our sweet Lanie was wonderful and we lost her in 2018. We were devastated. We have remained a part of the Echo family even after we lost our Lanie. We have been involved in transporting and hosting dogs for Echo. I can’t even tell you how much we have donated to them and when they’ve needed things for the puppies we have purchased crates, etc. Anyone who knows my husband and I know what great pet parents we are. At the same time we had Lanie, we had Corie, another WGS we got here in our hometown and I had to spoon feed her to even get her to eat. We also had Angel, another WGS who someone tied up outside in North Carolina and moved away. We drove down from Delaware to North Carolina to pick her up and drive back in one day. We felt it was time to adopt another dog and again applied to Echo. Because we didn’t have Lanie on heart worm medicine the year before she died from cancer, we were denied the adoption. We are heartbroken. Lanie lived a very happy healthy life with us until the end. We feel your decision is unfair to both us and the dog.
Vice President, initials LC, is a very rude bully. Adopted 2. Both came to me with issues that I was never told about. One came to me with worms, vomitting, skin infection, UTI and severe Hip Dysplasia. although most of the members are kind and helpful, the VP and a couple of the other administrators are extremely rude and very unprofessional. I left their group as I didn't want to be part of their bully club.
We have adopted 2 WGSD from Echo. Echo is a wonderful organization that goes out of its way to do everything they can to help this breed and provide their dogs with the best possible care and furever homes. They encourage you to keep in contact with them so they know how their adoptees are doing and are willing to help anytime. I wasn't even looking to adopt when our second Echo dog came into our lives. I volunteer as a transport driver and was asked to help pull a dog from a shelter and temporarily foster him for about a week until they could get him on a transport north. He was ill when we picked him up and I let Echo know. We took him immediately to a vet with all costs paid by Echo. He needed to hang around our house until he was well before he could be transported. Needless to say the bond was formed and we became one of the infamous "foster failures." Nothing but win-win situations here.
Last Year I had the pleasure of helping transport a dog going to its forever home. We kept CoCo overnight and then drove her a couple of hours to her to meet her next leg. I was so impressed with the dedication and organization of this Rescue Group. They are commited in helping this great breed.
Echo Dogs was our first experience with adopting a rescue dog. Frankly, we were concerned. What kind of dogs end up in a rescue situation. Were they mean, did they have horrible habits, etc.? So, the researcher in me set about trying to learn as much as possible about this organization. What I found out is that these rescue organizations go to great extents to save the beautiful white pups that have ended up in shelters for various reasons. Laura was very informative and patient with all my questions and concerns. We have had German Shepherds in our family before, so we knew the breed, just didn't know about this "rescue" thing.... We completed the adoption process and waited. Laura wanted to make sure that she matched us up with the right companion and you see, we have this cat.... After what seemed like an eternity (which really wasn't but a few weeks) I get the email that she thinks she found the forever friend that would work for us. She put us in touch with the foster mom (Alicia the Angel). We chatted for a few minutes and knew immediately that this was the one for us. After a few details were ironed out, Alicia agreed to meet us 1/2 way, which would end up being a 6 hour drive for both of us. Like I said, she is an Angel.... We pulled into the parking lot and immediately fell in love. After a bit of time to warm up to us, Diamond jumped in the truck and we knew she was ours (and were hers) forever. We were so worried about Diamond's feelings of abandonment. Every time she went for a car ride, it was a new home...so the next morning we got up, all went for a ride and shopping trip to Petco and back to the same home! Our Diamond was housebroken, crate trained, knows several commands, loves people and animals and does not have one bad habit that we have discovered after almost 3 months. She is everything (and more) that Echo said she was. So, if you have any doubts about Echo, put them aside. They are truly a selfless organization that's only concern is for these beautiful white fur-ever friends that are waiting to come into your family and love and be loved. Thank You Echo for all that you do!!
We adopted both our boys through EDWSR and have been so grateful! Not only do they ensure they connect the right dogs with the right family, the work with you to get the dogs to you. And even years after having them, there is a wealth of support when we had questions or looking for guidance on situations we'd not experienced ourselves. Amazing organization!
I've driven transports for this Rescue group. They are a top notch organization who cares about the placement of their dogs.
My story begins with what a wonderful experience I had because the volunteers of Echo Dogs White Shepherd Rescue were great! They made sure that my home was suitable, the dog that I was interested in would be a good match with my dog, and that the new addition to my house would be in good health to make the trip. They gave me the adoption kit with all the paperwork, leash, collar, and a bandana and treats. Even a small bag of the dog food that she had been eating. Here is my story. In 2012 I lost my sweet 15 year old White German Shepherd named Cora. My heart was broken. I had received a note from the Veterinarian that had a piece of writing that seemed that my dog had written it. The note said that since my dog had crossed over the Rainbow Bridge all of her toys and dog bed and all were available for another dog to have the shelter and love that my Cora was able to enjoy for all those years. So I checked into adopting another White German Shepherd because I was not the only one who was mourning the loss. My Golden Retriever was in need of a buddy too. So I found a picture of a beautiful female White German Shepherd named Angel. She was looking for a forever home. I sent my info and all the history of me and my dogs. I was contacted for the home visit. The visit went well especially since my Golden was the social director of the year. So I then I contacted by Angel's foster mom. She was wonderful about sending more pictures and telling me about Angel. I was so excited about meeting Angel and bringing her home to live with us. It was April 1, 2012. I drove to meet the one of many people who participated to bring this wonderful dog to PA. She was coming from Nebraska. As she jumped out, she was so beautiful and sweet. She slept most of the way home even though I just kept talking to her. When we came home the Golden greeted her in his usual "Let's play!" look. They were best friends from the first meeting. She slept on my lap that evening for an hour and has been a wonderful companion and still sleeps on my lap from time to time. I have included a few pictures of her with her friends. I support Echo Dogs because they are a great organization and they make you feel welcome to be a part of them.
I also have had the opportunity to help with driving a dog for a few legs of getting him to his forever home. All the people participating in this great action, were wonderfully selfless and generous of spirit. I am sure that all the dogs they help are given the best.
I was looking to adopt a White Shepherd for quite a long time and since I lived in NY it was very difficult. With the help of all their amazing volunteers I was able to find the perfect White Shepherd and so many different people helped care & transport him from GA to NY
An amazing organization dedicated to helping an amazing breed. This rescue is very well organized and strives to make a difference for each dog the committ to.
I have never volunteered for such a great and upstanding organization. They take care of every dog in there care no matter what. They are always willing to help when possible. I will always be apart of its group.
Great rescue full of caring, helpful people! They help choose the dog that will fit best in your family. I will definitely adopt from them again in the future. Love the network of support on their Facebook page.
My husband and I wanted to bring a pet into our family. We knew that we wanted to adopt and found Echo Dogs White German Shepherd Rescue. We were so impressed with the application process and how this organization looks into the best fit for both the family and the dog. These volunteers are truly dedicated to these dogs and usually open their homes to multiple fosters along with their resident dogs.
We were lucky enough to get through the adoption process and were able to meet Luke. We adopted Luke in September of 2012 and we couldn't be happier with our boy. We had him for about a year and a half before we wanted to adopt a playmate. We contacted Laura Cox (Momma Laura), who was Luke's foster mom at the time for suggestions on what dog would do best for the entire family. Momma Laura had a female dog that recently had puppies that was looking for a home. We had a trial run with Carolina and Luke took a liking to his new sister instantly.
My husband and I try to give back to Echo Dogs when we can whether it be through monetary donations or when a dog needs to be transported. I truly feel that I have a purpose in life with my four legged children. They have taught me so much in the short amount of time that they have been in with me. I could not imagine life without them and I am so grateful that we were able to find this great organization.
One of the best around. Do an outstanding job with the donated funds to help rescued dogs. Volunteers bend over backwards to help in any way they are able. Although the group is large, the comrraderie among group members is tight knit with one thing in mind-helping dogs get well and finding loving homes. Those at the top directing this non profit work endless hours on their own time to facilitate and oversee every area from rescuing the WGS dogs to setting up transportation to foster care, needed medical treatment, funding and overseeing placement and transportation to their forever homes. What an amazing group!
Amazing organization devoted to shepherds! All the administrators, foster parents, transporters, etc are top notch and have the dog's best interest at heart!
I have been a foster mom for echo dogs rescue for four years. They are an amazing rescue that helps white shepherds find new forever homes. They do not turn away dogs because of health or difficulty but do everything they can to reestablish them so they will become an amazing family member. I adopted my first white shepherd and 2006. That was my first encounter with the rescue. They go to amazing lengths to transport dogs around the eastern portion of the US to get them to foster homes And forever homes. Since then I have adopted two more white shepherds from this rescue. They go to great lengths to make sure dogs are healthy and medically established before going into a home. If the dog is unruly they will provide training to make it more comfortable and understanding its role with the family. The volunteers with this organization are amazing and they do everything they can to raise money to provide for these dogs s better life.
Echo Dogs is the most caring organized rescue out there. Great foster homes, devoted volunteers, great transport group, great medical assistance for all incoming dogs. I am a volunteer and have a beautiful Echo Dog. Joan Hauck.
Echo Dog White Shepherd Rescue is a great organization. As a volunteer foster, I enjoy working with Echo and help saving dogs' lives and see them thrive. We have volunteered for Echo for ~1 yr and love this organization. They are friendly, committed people who do everything they can for dogs. The adoption process may take a while from the time you submit an app but the organization's goal is to make sure the dogs will go to their perfect fit furever home and blossom. I have seen the dog's transformation from a timid, underweight, sick, abused dog to a happy, healthy, perfect family pet dog. The journey is worth it. If you live far away from a dog that you like, feel free to go ahead and ask. Each of the Echo transport volunteer will take a leg of 1-1.5 hour drive each, overnight foster is willing to take a dog in to rest for a night if needed and the journey will start again the next day until the dog reaches your house. So don't worry, just ask and adopt.
I adopt a dog from Echo as well, she is a perfect match for our family. She was a born a puppy mill dog and escaped after a hurricane blew the kennel away. She went to Echo at around 2-3 month old and had parvo, Echo saved her and now she is with us. Both of her tempt foster and her permanent foster keeps in touch w us to check on her from time to time. Other Echo family members give us advice on how to integrate a puppy to our family and how to help our resident adult alpha GSD bond with this timid girl. They go far and beyond their responsibility and I will continue to foster and recommend Echo dogs to whoever loves the breed.
I've never seen a group of people so willing to drop everything to save an animal. People constantly post shelter dogs in need of help and Echo steps up to do whats needed to get them to a foster, rehabilitate, and find them a forever home. We've adopted from them and will continue to support them.
Echo dogs always goes the extra step to save a dog. When help is needed the volunteers shout out and the call is answered.
Love this rescue! Everyone is so helpful and caring. You just don't adopt a dog through them, you also become part of a bigger family who is there to answer questions and for support! Highly recommend adopting from Echo!
I had watched the Echo Dogs site for a number of years before adopting my wonderful girl from them when I retired in July 2011. They were incredibly supportive and helpful throughout the process and checked in with me to see how we were doing, and if I had any questions, within days after Yoffi had arrived. Her foster mom was THERE to answer any questions and the ECHO adoption coordinator could not have been more helpful. When I said I wanted to find a gentle trainer to teach me to help Yoffi be more confident; but I was wary of choosing one who might be harsh with my very "soft" dog, they immediately reached out to their contacts in the NYC area and found me a wonderful, gentle trainer.
Over the years since then, I have found the Echo community incredibly helpful, knowledgeable and supportive -- with ideas, recipes, suggestions and just plain good /kind people offering support whenever needed.
I volunteer to help Echo with the application process (since I don't drive and can't transport and currently don't live in a place that's conducive to fostering). I have volunteered with a number of other rescue organizations in the past -- I have NEVER worked with a group of people who are SO knowledgeable and committed to saving, caring for, and healing the spirit and bodies of these beautiful dogs, in order to place them in homes that will love and care for them forever. The process is pretty detailed and the info gathered extensive, to make sure that every dog gets the right family and every family gets the right dog for their lifestyle and stage of life. The system, I know, can be a little stressful when people are waiting; but the system works. Anyone who follows the Echo FB page will see, week in and week out, how well it works, as pups get pulled from kill shelters and pounds, to be wrapped in the comfort and care provided by an amazing network, totally committed to healing them and giving them the forever good life.
Anyone who has had a German Shepherd dog knows how special they are. This rescue is as special as the breed they care for.
I first became involved with Echo as a volunteer transporter because I live in Lexington Kentucky I am a natural spot to transport to Cincinnati. I have always found their times to be impeccable and count on accuracy in the mileage, they are a wonderful organization who care about only one thing, the dogs. Sometimes people get their feelings hurt and don't understand everything that's involved with fostering and transporting dogs, it is a huge responsibility. I know when I volunteered to foster an elderly white shepherd name Dakota (Jack) they actually did a real home visit and wanted to see my house, my dogs, the compatibility factor,they were very thorough and I was very very appreciative. When Dakota got to me he immediately integrated into our family and when he unexpectedly passed away from a neurological event on December 8th I was devastated. I will foster again once my heart has healed, but Echo is a top-notch group of people and volunteers who again, care only about the animals.
They helped us adopt a wonderful and beautiful dog. Everyone was helpful and they were very thorough in their home visit. When the time comes, we will be adopting another dog from Echo Dogs.
German Shepherds have been a part of my life for decades and the Whites have proven themselves to be some of the most loving and devoted of Shepherds. To say they are special is an understatement. THis is why I have been so thrilled to see a rescue that is devoted to this breed and understands that this breed does not flourish in a shelter setting. They go above and beyond to assure that the dog's needs whether medical or behavioral are fully taken care of and that their dogs are fostered in a family home where their true demeanor can be evaluated prior to placement. This is better for the dogs and better for the potential adopters as well. This is also the most expensive way to rescue so not practiced by all organizations.
June 2015 we suddenly found ourselves needung to make that awful decision to let our GSD Emma cross the Rainbow Bridge. We were stunned & heart broken. Two weeks later it was my intent to stop at a rescue event to talk with a friend who volunteers with another rescue to keep her eyes open for another gsd in a few months. I was walking with my adult daughtets, and then they were gone. I looked over my shoulder and they were holding puppies. Neither my head or my heart were ready for another furbaby, but enter Echo Dogs White Shepherd Rescue. Yes, their adoption process is sometimes long...and painful because the adopter is waiting on pins & needles for the process to be completed. But, they will not place a dog unless they are confident this will indeed be a furever home. History is usually unknown other than awful, so future is a top priority. Also, dedication doesn't even begin to cover these amazing volunteers. In the case of our little guy, the adoption coordinator was checking high kill shelters for WGSD and found a litter of 10 pups and mom due to be euthanized...but not WGSD. Independent of the 501C3 she traveled several hundred miles to save them. Sadly, they were all very sick...mange. worms, parasites pneumonia, and of course mom was heartworm positive. Two of the pups died before she got there and a third once she got them home. Almost lost our little guy & one of his brothers. Breathing treatments every 4 hours, iv's for days, all on her own and out of her pocket. Dedication beyond words. We were finally able to bring him home a little over 4 weeks after the process began last July. We adopted our WGSD in February of this year, still had to go through the process again which began in early November. The delay....after a volunteer pulled her from the kill shelter they discovered she was pregnant....and again this volunteer spent her Thanksgiving night supervising the birth of 8 puppies, and her holidays with 8 pups, momma dog, her 4 resident dogs and a couple more fosters, plus, she helps with transports, and she is the adoption coordinator. This rescue, as a whole consistently goes above and beyond....check #candypups, #echoNala #puppyOlaf just to name a few. They have become family, they work endlessly to change the lives of so many dogs each year, and they don't just rescue dogs, they foster them until they are confident that the dog is mentally and physically healhty, fully vetted, treated for heartwIrm (most are positive) and in our case, ready to rescue their furever family. It is our intent to work with them to be able to learn the transport, and eventually the foster, process so that we can give back to this amazing 501C3 group. Thank you doesn't come close to the live and gratitude we have for our new family.
Bianca, a senior, 9 year old sweetheart, came into our home and quickly into our hearts, 3 weeks ago. Many people have criticized me for adopting Bianca because she is an older dog. Well here's the deal. I never thought twice about adopting Bianca, even when I knew she was nine years old. I believe that older dogs deserve the love, happiness and a home as much as younger dogs. When she was found she was 50 pounds underweight, she had been shot, had heartworm, has lyme disease, arthritis, and only God knows what else she may have endured. She also has been one of the best things I have ever done. She instantly took hold of my heart. I love coming home to be greeted with her jumping around with excitement, tail wagging, her cries of joy and all those wonderful kisses because I'm finally home. Joe laying on the floor with her laughing and cuddling and Bianca bombarding him with tons of kisses. Oh and playtime is a must...she loves fetching and catching the ball, playing tug of war with her rope and goes through at least a dozen commands, I've lost count of those and realize she knows more as each day passes. She never leaves my side, follows me everywhere I go, knows to "go to your room" when told to do so. She knows she's home. She knows she's loved. My life is enriched because of you Bianca, whether our time together be for only a month, a year or for years to come. I did not rescue you Bianca,but you rescued me and I am forever blessed that you did.
Thank you to Echo Dogs White Shepherds for Adoption for giving me the privilege to be loved by this beautiful baby girl.
After the loss of our 15 year old dog, we were looking for another dog. Echo went above and beyond our expectations. We got the best dog for our family. They took the time to make sure we were right for Angel. They even made follow up calls to make sure we were doing good. They are always there! I will always use them in the future and recommend them to friends.
My wife and I are both volunteers with and clients of Echo Dogs White Shepherd Rescue.
As volunteers with the organization, we work assiduously to ensure that all of the dogs that come into our home as fosters are nurtured and given as much love, attention, and delicious home-cooked food as they can handle. In evaluating applications for adoption, we painstakingly analyze the lifestyles and expectations of potential adopters in order to match our foster dogs with the most appropriate home that will enable them to thrive and meet their full potential.
In addition to our role as volunteers, we are also satisfied adopters ourselves. The third member of our pack, Lana, pictured below, is a former Echo Dog and we are just thrilled with her.
We have been with Echo Dogs for about a year and have been consistently awestruck by the passion, knowledge, and dedication of the volunteers and adopters. What I have found most wonderful in my role as a volunteer, adopter, and member of the Echo Dogs community is that whenever someone has a question or concern about their dog, they can go to the Echo Dogs Facebook page, ask their question, and receive support from an active community of knowledgeable volunteers, adopters, and other people affiliated with the organization.
This rescue goes above and beyond to help the White German Shepherd and WGSD mixes. They have a very strict adoption process and that is there for a reason. They do what is best for the dog - period. They try to match an adopter with the dog that they like, but unfortunately that doesn't always happen. They do everything in their power to make sure that the match is going to be permanent - that the dog will not be returned. Sometimes people get upset if things don't move fast enough or if they do not get the dog they want, but this is a group of volunteers who have outside jobs and families and their own dogs and foster dogs to take care.
As far as going above and beyond, one example of this is Puppy Olaf. You can follow him on Facebook at #EchoDogsPuppyOlaf. This puppy came to the shelter at six weeks old and was soon very sick. Once they were told about him, he was immediately moved to a local vet. They soon realized that he was too sick to be there and needed 24/7 emergency care. He was moved about an hour away and upon arrival, that vet felt he was too sick and asked them if they wanted to euthanize him. They said NO - do what you can and let's try and save this puppy! During an ice storm several days later it was suspected that he had intussusception and needed emergency surgery. That facility did not have the equipment needed to confirm this and said he needed to be moved another hour away to another facility. There was no way to get him there in the ice storm. The vet said he would probably die without the surgery if this condition was what he had. ECHO DOGS chose to have that vet go ahead with surgery, without confirmation, to try and save Puppy Olaf. That was a life saving decision and now Puppy Olaf has been adopted and lives the life of a superstar! This rescue ROCKS!
We were trying to adopt a dog from them paid all fees had all background checks excellent references and had had WGSD for 20 years. We wanted to take a foster dog in that was here locally. Because we commented on their facebook page that we didn't understand why it was taking so long we were refused adoption. I was told it was my own fault as I dare to comment on their page. The responsibility of a 501(c)3 charity is to place animals in homes and we were verified as an exemplary home but since I dare comment on the process we were refused any dog. Purely based on spite not on fitness, they broke our hears because they could. Using a charity to hurt people and keep animals from loving homes is not what they should do.