Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Links:
About SSR
Adoption Process
About the Dogs
Volunteering
Fostering
Surrendering Your Dog
About Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue (SSR)
Why is SSR called a shepherd rescue if you rescue all types of dogs?
We focus on rescuing all types of shepherds. There are instances in which we rescue a different breed if the dog is in danger of being euthanized.
Can we visit your facility?
SSR does not have a facility for our dogs. All of our dogs live with foster parents until they are adopted. Private meetings can be arranged once you become an approved adopter.
Are the adoption application fee and adoption fee tax deductible?
SSR is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible. The application fee and the adoption fee are not considered to be tax deductible.
Do you require fencing?
It depends on the dog. Some dogs are flight risks and we want to ensure that the dog will not be lost or harmed if it leaves your yard. As a general rule of thumb, SSR does not require a fence.
Do you adopt to someone in the military?
Yes. We adopt to someone in the military if he/she has someone willing to care for the dog while away.
Do you share the information I provide?
No. We do not share personal information with companies, organizations, or individuals outside of SSR. Please see our Privacy Policy.
Adoption Process
What is your adoption process?
After an Adoption Application has been submitted, we check personal and veterinary references, conduct a home visit, and if you are approved help you find the right dog for your situation. Once you are approved you can contact foster parents to arrange a meeting with an available dog. Please see our Adoption Process page for more information.
How long does the adoption process take?
It could take a few weeks to finalize an adoption from start to finish. Typically it takes one to two weeks to complete the reference and vet checks and conduct a home visit. Because SSR is volunteer based, coordinating schedules (yours and ours) can take time. After the home visit, you should hear from a SSR representative within a week regarding whether or not you have been approved. After you have been approved, SSR will work with you to identify individual dogs that would work with your situation.
What should I expect when I finalize my adoption?
You will be required to sign an adoption contract. You will receive all of the medical records obtained by SSR regarding your pet and an SSR tag. The SSR tag identifies your pet in our system and can aid in recovering a lost pet. In addition to the paperwork, an adoption fee will be collected.
How much is the adoption fee?
Effective 9 AM, Thursday, 8/3/17 , the adoption fee is $325 for dogs aged 6 and under and $250 for dogs 7 and up.
What do the fees pay for?
The fees cover the cost of medical expenses (including spay/neuter for dogs over six months old), food, kenneling, and transportation for all of the SSR animals while they are in our care. See Where The Money Goes for more details.
Do you adopt out of state?
Yes, we are willing to adopt to approved applicants outside of VA. Out-of-state applicants must be willing to come and meet the dog. See our Adoption Process page for more information.
Will you transport a dog to me?
No. Depending on the foster, you may be able to make arrangements to meet in the middle should you live some distance away.
Why do I have to have a home visit?
SSR wants to meet any individuals living in your home and ensure that your home environment will be safe for our animals. Typically, we take a tour of your house and yard (if there is one). We want to see where the dog will be fed, sleep, and exercised.
After I’m approved why can’t I have the dog I want?
We strive to make the best match for each of our dogs. If we believe that a certain dog would not be a good fit in your situation, then we will ask that you wait until a better match is available.
Can I have a trial visit with a dog and return it if it doesn’t work out?
We do not typically allow trial visits. After you adopt a dog, we place a hold on the adoption fee for one week in the event that the dog does not work out well in your home environment.
What if I can’t keep the dog? Can I return him/her?
Yes, the adoption contract states that SSR requires you to return the dog to SSR in the event you can no longer keep it. Please note that the adoption fee is not refundable.
About the Dogs
Where can I see available dogs?
We have adoption events across Virginia attended by dogs being fostered near that event. Should you want to meet dogs that may not attend an event, you can make those arrangements with the dog's foster parents.
Can I meet a dog before scheduling the home visit?
You can meet a dog at an adoption event before you complete the adoption application process. You cannot set up a private meeting with a foster unless you have been approved as an adopter. This saves both the adopters and fosters time.
Does the dog I want to adopt have to be spayed or neutered?
There may be instances where the dog is too old or has certain physical conditions that make altering surgery high risk. That said, most of our dogs will be spayed and neutered. Since we often rescue dogs across state boundaries, we also must satisfy adoption regulations in other states. Please see our Spay/Neuter Policy.
How do I know the dog I want to adopt is healthy and up to date on shots?
SSR presumes every dog to be healthy at the time of adoption. Each dog will be examined by a vet, neutered/spayed, and up-to-date on vaccines prior to adoption. This protects our dogs and any pets you might have as well. Note that some of our (otherwise healthy) dogs do have special needs. You will be made aware of them should you want to adopt one of our wonderful special needs dogs.
However, SSR does not guarantee the health of any animals we offer for adoption. When you adopt an animal, you should take it to a licensed veterinarian as soon as possible. Your dog is, to the best of our knowledge, healthy, but you should start a program of preventative veterinary care.
Please keep in mind that rescue animals available for adoption may have been exposed to a variety of diseases and conditions. In some cases, symptoms may not be evident for several days or weeks. If you notice symptoms in the animal you adopted, please take it to your vet for treatment.
How do I know if the dog I want to adopt has any aggression issues?
One of the advantages of being a foster-based organization is that our foster parents learn about each dog they foster and share that knowledge with prospective adopters. SSR fosters are happy to discuss the dogs’ eating habits, training, dispositions, and any issues that have arisen during their stay with the foster. These issues may include medical issues, resource guarding, interaction with people and other animals, aggression issues, etc.
Volunteering
How can I volunteer?
There are many ways to volunteer with SSR. These include helping with adoption events, home visits, photography, social media support and development, transporting dogs, evaluating dogs, fundraising/grant support, advertising/marketing, and administrative duties. Please see Volunteering for additional information.
Fostering
How do I know if my household is right for a foster situation?
SSR will help determine if your home situation is appropriate for fostering. After you submit a Foster Application, we will check your personal and vet references, conduct a home visit, and talk with you about the responsibilities involved with fostering one of our dogs. Please see Fostering for additional information.
As a foster, will I have input regarding which adoptive home is best for each dog I foster?
Yes. SSR fosters help evaluate if approved adopters would be a good fit for the dogs they foster.
What is a foster fail?
A foster fail happens when foster parents decide to adopt the dog they have been fostering. Our goal is to place our dogs in other homes, but occasionally the best match for the dog turns out to be the foster situation.
What does it cost to become a foster?
SSR will pay all expenses related to fostering a dog, including vet bills and any medications needed. We appreciate it when fosters provide a bed and food, but SSR will also cover those items as well. Please see Fostering for additional information.
Surrendering Your Dog
How do I surrender my dog?
We understand that surrendering your dog is very difficult and we want to help you throughout this process. The first step is to complete the Owner Surrender Form. Upon receipt of this form, an SSR representative will contact you and work with you.
