Southeast German Shepherd Rescue

We have adopted 3 dogs from this rescue and donated a lot of money to this rescue. We absolutely love our coordinator and everyone that helped us find our new babies. As long as this rescue is around we will continue to adopt from them. If you are looking for a GSD, SGSR is the best of the best in NC.

This review is not so much a negative or positive action. I will not post this on there face book page [see below] but you can read between the lines. One, I’m writing to help others better understand this organization from my prospective and why I can understand some people being upset because they do not know what they are up against if you decide to proceed with them for adopting or volunteering.
I have been associated with them for over 6 years, on both sides of the spectrum, adopting and as a Foster volunteer. [3 month Fostering, could not take the excuses any longer for a dog that need medical attention]
SGSR is a non-profit and we as donators are entitled to see there 990 IRS forms. Beware with them they will give you runarounds to see them but all you have to do is request them in writing per the IRS if you want to see the true facts and figures behind this organization. I finally received a copy after many e-mails and finally saying I would contact the IRS.
#1 question to ask your self is why do they make this so difficult? I checked with other non-profits {503} c, and had there forms within a very short time and e-mailed them directly to me of contacting them without any excuses per IRS rules for non-profits. If I would have checked and got SGSR forms and noted they have a problem filing the forms on time that would have been a RED flag not to expect them to follow up with my questions or issues since I was just a volunteer they feel they have the right to order around.
They also want to have you do reviews on there Face book page. Why? Again look at there likes/dislikes ratio. Then look at other non-profits working in the same line of business and compare.
#2 how can a company have so may reviews when they have only been in business since 2010? Look at others who have been around for over 15/20 years with no where near SGSR numbers, then check into what is called Boosting FB which is when a company pays someone or even FB to monitor and to make sure they should get better results than other organizations buy increasing there likes. This makes new lookers think they are better than others and have more viewers verses competitors. Google and with others you can reply where everyone gets a good look at your comments and can make comments for all to see and that stay on Google. SGSR has no problem contacting you privately and requesting you to remove a negative comment on FB that they don’t want others to see and will even directly or indirectly request other family members to put pressure on to get the post removed as they see fit.
Again, look at the numbers they display on FB verses other reviews and then ask yourself, how?
#3- If you do use this non-profit do not listen to the phone promises, threats, and don’t believe they will follow through with what they say verbally. GET IT IN WRITING and not through there FB which they can control is the only way to have a written paper trail if needed later.
#4- The bottom line is this non-profit has cost other non-profit’s my loyalty, and financial backing, and I would suggest if you go on with any of these type of organizations please look closely before using them and remember it is about the dogs not about a few directors that have lost touch of what there main purpose is in my opinion.

These wonderful animals need support and help and many volunteers are trying to do well but are only as good as the directors behind the non-profit supporting them which there is a lot missing from this non-profit in my opinion.

SGSR provides a very extensive service in matching German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs) with new homes. I'm stunned that there are any negative reviews of the organization because I have seen how much effort they put into saving, caring for, and out-placing the GSDs. We first approached the organization about 4 years ago, and it did take some time for us to get "matched" with a GSD who would fit in with our family. However, the wait was worth it for us as well as -- I hope! -- the GSD. I have worked with some of the organization's people in the Hampton Roads area, and they have all been great and easy to work with. If the organization appears to have super-high standards, that's for the benefit of the dogs, not an insult to any person. Remember, it's all for the dogs.

DO NOT adopt from this organization. They want your $30 and that's it! We paid up front for our application, understanding it's no refundable and without questioning or speaking, they said no because we have not had a heart worm prevention on record since July of 2015. NO QUESTIONS as to why we declined prevention or why we no longer give the medication/prevention to our dog. Had they contacted out vet, they would have learned of his diagnosis and medical condition. Ironic, that a family that rescued a GSD and has been on a cancer journey with their beloved pet, followed medical advice during treatments and other medical issues, was declined. They state they are serving the community by rescuing these wonderful dogs, but they don't have a handle of their own rules or do they take the time to educate themselves. We are now purchasing a puppy through a breeder. This will be the first pet we have not adopted through a rescue.

This organization is only interested in getting as many application fees as possible. We waited 5 weeks before we were contacted the first time. Since then we have talked to our vet and he stated that the volunteers may have good intentions but are so unorganized and that he only hears complaints about them. Shame on them.

We were very excited to rescue through this agency in hopes of adopting a Shepherd in need of a loving home. We passed the vet check, and went on to the telephone interview. My husband and I were both very optimistic after the phone interview and excited for the next step in the application process. We were told we would be in contact with a volunteer in our area soon, and would be scheduling a home visit. Two days after the telephone interview I received an email stating that our applicaiton would not be considered because we have a perimeter fence. I had explained in detail on both the application and during the telephone interview that we live on a very large farm with over 200 acres of land. We would only be using the fence to train on boundries, however the fence is not used (we have ample land, so there really is no need for a fence). Our current dog is 80% inside, and goes outside on pretty days when we arent home. I am shocked that this agency was not willing to proceed with the home visit to see that we have the dream home for one of their rescues. We have been told numerous times by our vet that any dog that we have will have won the lottery with the life they would have with us.

P.s. Multiple dogs that are ready for adoption on their page state "no fence required". Why wouldnt we have been considered for one of those dogs?

I wanted to adopt from this rescue, but decided not to and support another. One of there " best" volunteers I met at a horse event. What a absolute stuck up *itch. How she talks to people and feels she is above them. She also has or works for a mortgage company and has a horse farm near wake forest. When I found out she is associated with them it was a turn off.

Fantastic rescue! Very professional. For the people complaining about being denied, the vetting requirements are things everyone should be doing for their dogs anyway. Spayed/neutered, rabies and distemper shots and current on prevention medicines such as heartgard or frontline. They need to be sure the dogs go where they will be taken care of and I respect them more for it.

SGSR has been an amazing group to work with. We have adopted two dogs through them, both through their Phoenix program. We couldn't be happier, in fact we enjoyed working with them so much that we have volunteered to transport dogs, and have attended some of their events when possible. I would recommend them to anyone because their 1st priority is always the weflare and best interest of the dogs!

Not only am I a volunteer, but I'm a 4 time adopter. Awesome rescue to volunteer for and adopt from.

I love this rescue! they truly care for each and every dog they bring in to their rescue. I did not have a difficult time going through the application process and still keep in touch with both my dog's previous fosters and my adoption coordinator on FB. It did take a few months but they explained that everyone who is a part of the rescue team is a volunteer who does this in addition to their current jobs and families. I could not imagine the time (and money) they must put in to each pup. To the people saying they are impossible to adopt from--at least the rescue errs on the side of caution when adopting out their dogs, making sure they only go to great families

Thank you SGSR for matching us with our amazing dog. We are forever grateful for all the work you do.

Thank you SGSR. You took a puppy from a humane society that already had a home. On Tuesday my family ,my wife my 3 year old and myself, went to said humane society and to see a German Shepherd puppy. We decided we would like to adopt him. We filled out the paperwork and was set to pick him up Friday. We we bought a new crate and some toys for him. We have been asking our little girl if she is exited about the new puppy. Then we get a call Thursday morning saying he was given to your people by accident. The woman who we talked to doesn't work on Wednesday but said set he left a note for the people that do, but unfortunately they didn't see the note before giving him to you. Thank goodness a woman from the board is so understanding. She told us that it's to late now he is with the rescue and their is nothing we can do other than fill out their application wait tell they finish training him and hope that we will be considered for the German Shepherd we were already promised. Not only did she refuse to give him back, but she refuses to talk to us over the phone. The only communication we got was via email or Facebook messenger. She also refuses to let us talk to whoever is above her. So thanks again for helping us.

I had the same experience. No interview, no site visit and had just had my current German Shepard at the vet and was turned down by SGSR stating that I did not pass vet interview. I emailed them several times stating my dog is current and well cared for, no reply. We are a loving home with a current GSD and I feel like weren't given a chance. We are heartbroken.

This organization does not want to give people a real chance at adoption. The only interview was to call our vet and then make the determination to deny our application. No interview, no site visit, no checking references. My wife and I are professionals, I am retired and volunteer in my community. We raised a shepherd from a puppy, she lived fourteen years and was well trained and cared for. We have family members that own Shepherds. The girl at the organization told my wife that my wife could not be a animal lover because my wife "did not even know how to spell Shepherd correctly" I replied with an email only to get a snide reply also. People are rude, arrogant, and demeaning.

We adopted our first dog through Southeast German Shepherd Rescue and had a wonderful experience with their volunteers, adoption coordinators, and foster homes. The rescue is very professional and well-organized. We were motivated by the good, sacrificial work that we saw through SGSR and decided to become a foster home with the organization this year. We are huge supporters of this group and can't say enough good things about them.