I was looking to rehome a German shepherd I saved from a kill shelter. She is reactive but not aggressive. I read there whole explanation as to how they want to help German shepherds who have behavior problems. When I heard back from them, they refused to take her because their insurance won't cover aggressive dogs. So when they say behavior problems they don't actually mean dogs with behavior problems. I just thought the lack of transparency was frustrating and sorta lacks integrity. I also learned all it takes to be a no kill shelter is to kill less than 10% of your animal intake. However, I contacted other German Shepherd rescues in the area who also have insurance who accept reactive dogs. It left a bad taste in my mouth that their page talks about surrendering and sorta guilt trips you into thinking you're a bad person for surrendering the animal even if the reason you have the animal was to save it from a kill shelter. You can say all that other stuff but can't be transparent that you accept dogs that fit into your insurance policy and don't have behavioral problems.....after saying you help dogs with behavioral problems.
These guys seemed nice enough at first. But when they declined my application they referenced things I never said or did. One of the other things they cited for declining the application was that I disclosed there were two stray cats that frequent my property. (I didn't want a dog that would eat them) They then said because I didn't vaccinated them, that was one of the reasons they declined the application. Funny enough, even though it is not my responsibility, I had vaccinated one last year just as a precaution for my kids safety... The other one had only showed up recently.
In reality, I think they declined me because I have 7 children, some of them very young. It was probably a liability issue. If that was the reason, they should have said so rather than making up excuses and saying I said and did things I did not say or do.
I would recommend you find another rescue or donate elsewhere.
I filled out an application and with no follow up or phone call I was declined. They still accepted my $20 FEE (donation) but you have to donate before you can fill out an application?? I would not recommend this site. There are too many other sites with GSD that need homes. I believe they are in the DONATION game and not the dog rescue game.
I was looking for a rescue specifically a German Shepherd rescue to devote my time to as they are my favorite breed. I've been with Mid Atlantic German Shepherd rescue now for over three years and all I can say it's the most rewarding work I've ever done. I walk our kennel dogs once a week, along with fostering, home visits and and also help out on one of our committees. These voluteers go above and beyond to help save as many dogs as they possibly can. Their compassion is boundless and their devotation to gsd's and gsd mixes just is amazing. All the volunteers are so helpful and nice and always willing to answer any questions you have. They can help you jump right in to whatever area you feel comfortable in helping the dogs. I am so very happy I found this rescue to devote my time. I think I would have to say my favorite time is when one of our dogs has been adopted and they drive off with their forever family, never looking back. These dogs will always have a little place in my heart.
MAGSDR is an exceptional organization and serves the needs of many dogs and families in the Mid-Atlantic region of the USA. I continue to be impressed by its dedication and commitment to all dogs, particularly those with special needs--expensive medical conditions, very old and frail dogs whose families decide to "dump"them after 10 or 12 years of owning them, those deemed to be impossibly traumatized or have been accused of being vicious, and are abandoned or abused or left to die. Their public outreach and educational efforts have reduced the number of inappropriate placements for those interested in the GSD breed, even folks like us who have owned and loved this breed for almost 50 years. See "Adopt Hank Now" for my personal experience.
I first became aware of MAGSR when the lady who ran the Combined Federal Campaign for my Agency spoke highly of them. I have volunteered by walking the kennel dogs, transporting them to the Vet's, and doing home visits. I have observed many volunteers donating significant amounts of time and effort to help rescue GSDs. Our dedicated volunteers get the dogs out in the extreme heat of the Washington summer and also on cold and blustery days. It is all worth it when I see a successful adoption.
That's very troubling to me. i recently paid the $10 fee under "application" or "apply now" next to Sugar's photo since her description matches exactly what i'm looking for, but if this dog belongs to someone who really wants her back then how can they place her with someone else? That's just wrong! Does this mean if my cat gets lost and winds up at the SPCA they won't return him to me despite his microchip? Why would I chip him then? In any case my payment to MGSR for the application was accepted, so now I'm really wondering about this organization.....Guess i'll have to look into this before I make a final decision about them.
I can not support or recommend the Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue to anyone. I know of a of a dog who was taken into the rescue by a family other then its own and while the dog is clearly micro-chipped and the real owner would love to have her back, they are refusing to let her have her dog back. They are even going to let it get as far as court if she continues to fight for her dog back. Meanwhile, there are so many dogs that could use that spot in the shelter because they don't have a home or the dogs already there could use the money that it will take to fight this in court, while this dog has a loving home that will do anything for her back.
Losing our last Shepherd was so devastating, it took us eight years to work up the nerve to try it again. We started searching through MID-ATLANTIC GERMAN SHEPHERD RESCUE. We we very impressed by the care taken by the organization to not only ensure that we would be good adopters (not just acceptable) but to understand our needs, capabilities and limitations and put us in contact with the right dog. After going through the application process and meeting a couple of dogs, we got a call saying that a dog had come in that we should meet. (He was a MAGSR dog that was returned due to problems his adopted family was having, so his personality was a known factor.) We made the drive to the kennel to meet him and they were right. Nick worked his way into our hearts in the first ten minutes and our connection has only grown deeper over the years. We have since become committed volunteers; fostering dogs, doing transport, manning events and I work on the team that maintains the website. We ended up adopting one of our fosters because we were afraid that no one would have the patience to work through her issues. She has since proved herself to be a little gem. MAGSR volunteers have always been available whenever we have needed help or guidance with our dogs. From the other side, I know that we have always done our utmost to ensure that our fosters are placed in the right homes and that we and other MAGSR volunteers follow-up to ensure that our adoptees are prospering in their 'furever' homes. I volunteer with other carities as well, and I am always impressed with MAGSR's contribution to the rescue and re-homing of abandoned, abused, and surrendered German Shepherds and shepherd mixes.
In the Spring of 2006, after losing my precious shepherd-malamute mix, Bandy, and only 3 months after I unexpectedly lost my husband, I felt terribly alone. I searched the internet to find a new dog with whom I could rebuild my family, and keeping my husband's love of shepherds in mind, I focused on MAGSR, which had a well-developed website and a proven track record of successful rescue and adoption support since 1999. The volunteer who did my home visit and recommended me as a postential adopter stayed in touch and worked with me when I selected Sam to come home with me in a "foster-to-adopt" status. When Sam swallowed a bumblebee that stung his tongue sending him into anaphylatic shock, she was there to help me rush him to the emergency vet, and MAGSR covered the costs of the emergency treatment that saved Sam's life. As soon as I adopted Sam, MAGSR volunteers called me to follow up on Sam's placement, offering me tips for Sam's adjustment and training that made the transition seamless and supported our growing bond. My experience with MAGSR as an adopter was so impressive and satisfying that I was inspired to become a volunteer, and became active with the group in the fall of 2006. MAGSR is a well-run, knowledgeable, all-volunteer organization that goes the extra mile to guarantee and improve the lives of German Shepherds and shepherd mixes and the loving families and individuals who are committed to providing these deserving dogs with a "furever" home. My work with MAGSR today seeks to support these strengths and further MAGSR's contribution to the rescue and re-homing of abandoned, abused, and surrendered German Shepherds and shepherd mixes.