Adoption Process
Home Visit: A home visit is to ensure that the adoption will be successful. The best way for us is to have an in-house conversation with all the household members and a pair of trained eyes that will help eliminate any potential problems around your house and yard. Our adoption counselors want to see that the home is safe for the dog and address any potential hazards to your new dog before they join your household. Finding the right fit for a forever home is part of that responsibility. The home visit is intended to support the adoptive family, answer questions and provide resources to ensure this will be the right match. We may substitute digital resources to conduct virtual approvals where appropriate and to process adoption paperwork and payments to complete adoptions. You may be asked to submit references to be approved, submit pictures and videos in place of an in-person home visit or join video calls for your home visit and to meet qualified matches via video calls prior to a physical meeting to take your newly adopted shepherd home. Thank you so much for navigating these varied methods with us as we provide shelter for shepherds in need and find them forever families. We ask for you patience as we are an all volunteer organization trying to make sure our shepherds will head to families who are prepared to cherish them for the rest of their lives.
Submit Application
We seek adopters with previous GSD or large breed experience for the best fit, and prefer to adopt within our local geographic region. If renting your home, your landlord must complete ShepHeroes’ Landlord Permission Agreement for your application to move forward.Interview
After submission, you'll receive an email indicating status of your application and information on assignment to an adoption counselor (AC).Home Check
After your interview, your AC will arrange for your home visit (HV). All household members & resident dogs should attend that meeting.Meet the Pet
After your HV and once approved, you'll be able to meet potential matches. All household members & resident dogs should attend the meetings.Sign Adoption Contract
Once you've found your perfect match, you review and sign the adoption contract.Pay Fee
Our adoption fees are: $450 for dogs under 12 months, $350 for dogs 1-6 y/o, and $200 for dogs 7 y/o and older.Take the Pet Home
Once you've signed all the paperwork, you can take your new pup home!