Adoption Policy
If you're considering adopting...
Please read before submitting an application:
Before adopting, it’s important to understand the unique needs of the German Shepherd Dog (GSD). This intelligent, loyal, and high-energy breed requires daily exercise, consistent training, and strong, confident leadership. GSDs thrive in homes where they are treated as full members of the family—not left outside or alone for long periods.
Caring for a GSD is a long-term commitment that can last 10+ years. Consider your lifestyle, future plans (such as moving, job changes, or family growth), and your ability to provide proper nutrition, veterinary care, and supervision—especially around children and small animals. GSDs are large, active, and intelligent dogs, so they often require higher food intake, more durable gear, and consistent training, which can become costly. Annual costs for food, medical care, and supplies can range from $2,000 to $5,000+.
If you’re unsure about training or leadership, are you willing to attend obedience classes with your dog? A well-led GSD is a happy, well-adjusted companion—but without guidance, they may develop behavioral issues.
Please take time to reflect honestly on whether a GSD is the right fit for your home. We want every adoption to be a forever one.
Thank you for considering adoption through GHGSDR. For the safety of our dogs and your family, we ask that you carefully review our Adoption Policy below before submitting an application.
Adopter Requirements
To adopt a dog from GHGSDR, you must:
- Be a responsible adult who maintains responsibility for the well-being of your household.
- Live in the Greater Houston Metropolitan area.
- Be able to provide for the training and veterinary care of the dog and to pay an adoption fee to help cover the costs of rescue care.
Application Submission
Your application will help us better determine which, if any, of our current German Shepherd Dogs may be the right dog for you. Be as detailed as possible in your answers. Once your application is submitted, please allow 2–3 weeks for processing. During this time, we will:
- Contact your veterinary and personal references.
- Schedule a home visit if your application meets our initial criteria.
Notify your references in advance that someone from GHGSDR will be reaching out. If you are renting, you must provide landlord contact information so we can verify pet policies and restrictions.
We do not adopt to homes with unaltered pets, unless there is a documented medical or acceptable reason, verified by your veterinarian. Additionally, we typically do not place dogs under 6 months of age in homes with children under 7 years old.
Due to logistical limitations, we may be unable to perform home visits outside the Greater Houston area, which may affect our ability to place a dog in your home.
Veterinary Reference Check
Please list the veterinarian(s) with the most current records on your application and authorize them to release information to GHGSDR. Do not apply if the below information cannot be verified by your veterinarian. Your application will be denied if any of the below requirements are not met:
Your veterinarian must verify the following:
- All dogs in your care are consistently on heartworm preventative.
- All pets are spayed or neutered, unless medically exempt.
- All pets have a history of routine vaccinations, immunizations, and health screenings.
If you have additional information to share regarding the health of your pet(s), please note it in the “comments” section of your application.
Personal Reference Check
We require at least two personal references, including one non-family member. References should be familiar with you, your pets, and how you care for your pets.
Home Visit
During a dog adoption home visit, you can expect a volunteer to walk through your home and yard to check for safety hazards. Be prepared to answer questions about your routine, household members, and experience with pets. The visit is an open conversation, so be prepared to ask your own questions.
For Single-Family Homes: We will assess the condition and security of your home and yard, including fencing, access to shade, water, and shelter. Please note that promises to install fencing in the future are not accepted. If fencing is repaired or installed after the initial visit, a second visit may be required.
For Apartments, Condos, or Townhomes: We understand that not all homes have yards. In these cases, we will assess your plan for providing adequate exercise, potty breaks, and enrichment. You may be asked to demonstrate access to nearby green spaces or dog-friendly areas. We will also verify that your lease or HOA allows large-breed dogs and that there are no breed or weight restrictions.
The purpose of our visit is to see the environment that the dog will be living in to ensure that adequate provisions are made for the dog’s care and to discuss dog ownership with you. Our goal is to ensure that every GSD is placed in a home where they can thrive.
Application Approval
Once all reference checks and the home visit are complete, an adoption coordinator will contact you. If no further concerns arise, and we believe you can provide a loving, responsible home, you will be notified of your approval and may begin visiting dogs.
GHGSDR is a 100% volunteer organization. Please allow 2-3 weeks to process and review your application. In most cases, applicants are approved or declined within 5-10 days.
Finding the Right GSD
After approval, your adoption coordinator will help match you with dogs that fit your home and lifestyle. Our dogs are placed in foster homes where they receive love, structure, and care. Foster families play a key role in assessing each dog’s temperament and adjustment needs.
You may meet a dog multiple times to ensure a good fit. All family members must be present during these visits. Additional meetings may be arranged to introduce your current pets to the dog, either at the foster home or a neutral location.
Foster families have deep insight into their dogs and will help determine if a match is appropriate. Their feedback is essential in the final decision-making process. GHGSDR’s Board of Directors has final approval on all adoptions.
Some dogs may require additional obedience training, which will be discussed during the adoption process. Please take these suggestions seriously to ensure a successful adoption.
Adoption Contract
Once a match is confirmed/approved, the adoption will be finalized through a signed Adoption Contract between the adopter and a GHGSDR representative (typically the foster or placement coordinator). This agreement outlines your responsibilities and our commitment to supporting you and your new companion.
The adoption donation fees* for our GSDs are as follows:
- Puppies 6 months and under – $425**
- Adult dogs – $400
- Senior dogs (six years and older) – $225
* All adoption donation fees are non-refundable (after the two-week adoption trial period).
** Puppies that have not been spayed/neutered at the time of adoption will require a spay/neuter deposit of $150, which is refunded once GHGSDR receives written evidence of the surgery.
Returning an Adopted GHGSDR Dog
We are committed to making every adoption a lifelong match. However, we understand that unforeseen circumstances may arise. If you find that you are unable to continue caring for your adopted German Shepherd, we require that the dog be returned to GHGSDR.
Two-Week Trial Period: All adoptions include a two-week trial period. If you determine during this time that the dog is not a good fit for your home, you may return the dog and receive a full refund of the adoption fee.
Returns After the Trial Period: If you need to return the dog after the two-week trial period, we will accept the dog back into our program*. However, adoption fees are non-refundable after the trial period has ended.
*Effective November 2025: We are unable to accept the return of any dog that has caused serious injury to a person or another animal, whether the incident occurred on public or private property. Please refer to our FAQs page for more information.Return Process: To initiate a return, please contact our placement coordinator at placement@ghgsdr.org. We will work with you to arrange a safe and timely return of the dog. Please provide as much notice as possible so we can prepare an appropriate foster placement.
No Rehoming: Under the terms of the Adoption Contract, adopters may not rehome, sell, or transfer ownership of the dog to another individual or organization. All dogs adopted through GHGSDR must be returned to our rescue if the adopter can no longer provide care.
Our goal is to ensure the lifelong safety and well-being of every dog we place. We are here to support you and your dog throughout your journey together.
How to Adopt
1. Browse Our Pets
Explore our Available GSDs to find a dog whose personality and needs match your lifestyle. Each profile includes photos, temperament notes, and a brief medical history.
2. Submit an Application
Complete our adoption application form to tell us about your home, experience with dogs, and what you’re looking for in a companion. This helps us begin the matching process and schedule a home visit.
3. Meet and Greet
Once your application is approved, we’ll arrange a meet-and-greet with the dog you’re interested in. This is a chance for you, your family, and any current pets to interact with the dog in a safe, supervised setting.
If the meet-and-greet doesn’t work out, no worries – our placement team will continue helping you search for your new best friend.
4. Finalizing the Adoption
If it’s a good match, we’ll guide you through the adoption contract and adoption fee. You’ll receive medical records, training resources, and support as you welcome your new family member home.