Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue (SSR) Story

Mission Statement

Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue (SSR) is a 501c3, all-volunteer rescue focused primarily on the rescue of German Shepherd Dogs. We are based out of the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, but expand our reach and work to save German Shepherd Dogs in heavily populated areas throughout the country. While our rescue is a new organization, our volunteers have been rescuing German Shepherds for many years. Our hope is to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home every German Shepherd in need. After years of dedicating our lives to other German Shepherd rescues, we decided to venture into our own rescue to expand our reach into uncovered territories by our current rescue. We have a strong passion to help the breed, but would like to extend a helping hand to the various shepherds in need: Shiloh, Dutch, Belgian, etc. We are also very passionate about trying to help rescue dogs on the west coast and southern states, where there are more dogs dying in shelters than there are rescues to keep up with them.

Co-Founders

Jennifer Quesenberry Aufdenberg, Co-founder
Without divulging too much into the background, I stumbled upon rescue after going through a particularly hard time in my life. I decided to join a local GSD rescue and had no idea what was to come. I had grown up with dogs and always loved them, but actively involving myself in the rescue of others was a completely different ballgame. Once I signed up with the local rescue, my very first volunteer assignment was to evaluate a nine month old puppy that was being surrendered. I didn’t have experience with the breed or evaluations, but I went anyway. My life changed forever. I wasn’t an approved foster at the time, so I decided to take the puppy home anyway – I couldn’t leave him behind, as the owner said he was going to take him somewhere in WV. It was my first real experience owning a GSD, a puppy at that. It was a rough first night, but we instantly became inseparable. I have never felt such love toward another dog, as I did towards Echo. Thus began my lifelong journey into the rescue and care of the German Shepherd Dog!
Kaitlin Vazquez, Co-founder
Kaitlin has since moved on to other things, but we thank her for helping to co-found the rescue to help it become what it is today.  Here's her story: I got my first German Shepherd (and first dog ever) three years ago, two months before my husband went on deployment. I was in love with him from the second he was born and I hadn’t even met him yet. When he finally came home to us, he was everything I had dreamed he would be and more. To this day I have a better understanding of him than I do most things, and I consider myself lucky to know the unwavering love of a German Shepherd. I want every dog to have a home as safe and happy as mine, and I want every person to experience this wonderful breed. I can’t imagine a better way to spend my life than living on a big plot of land with a dozen foster dogs running around, enjoying the life they almost had taken away from them.