Arf's German Shepherd Rescue, Inc. of Wisconsin

puppy OUR MISSION

AGSR specializes in the rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing of homeless German Shepherds, mostly acquired from Wisconsin shelters. These dogs have no advocates and are frequently scheduled for euthanasia (even puppies!) because there just aren't enough homes for all the dogs that need homes right now. Our foster homes are almost always full with shelter dogs, so we generally do not accept owner surrenders. If you think you need to give up your dog, please read the helpful article "Find The Dog A Home".

All adult German Shepherds are first temperament-tested, then fostered in AGSR volunteer homes. While in foster care, the dogs calm down from the stress of the shelter. They are fully vetted (spayed or neutered, vaccinated, checked for heartworm and internal parasites, dewormed, and micro-chipped). They are house trained and begin basic obedience training (sit, off, down, come, etc). The fostering period allows us to get to know each shepherd's personality and is our most valuable tool when matching our dogs with their new homes.

We are all volunteers and there are not enough of us to respond to all the casual inquiries made to us so when we receive your Adoption Application, we know that you are sincerely interested in eventually adopting a German Shepherd. We will respond within 7 - 14 days to discuss your application and the qualities you want in your new German Shepherd.

If you would like to volunteer to become a foster home for AGSR, please fill out a Foster Home Application.

And how we wound up doing this...

ARF's GERMAN SHEPHERD RESCUE actually started in 1999, when founder, Terri, and her husband came upon a very sick German Shepherd puppy being sold outside the Weyauwega Exotic Animal Fair for $20. Terri knew she could use the Wisconsin Dog Rescue to contact a shepherd rescue, so she paid* for the sleepy little fellow and promised her husband the pup absolutely wouldn't be staying forever. (Terri had owned two GSDs in the past and knew how attached she became to the breed). The German Shepherd Rescue asked the couple to foster the pup for just two months, until they had room to take him in. Pistol pistol-crooks (jokingly named because the worms, anemia, and the maggot living between the skin layers of his neck made him the most lethargic puppy ever) spent the rest of the summer sleeping at their feet, or going for short walks at the dog park as he became healthier. Three weeks later, Terri was calling to say they HAD to adopt Pistol; he'd kicked in that Shepherd Charm and won the couple over.

After Terri became listowner for Wisconsin Dog Rescue, she decided volunteering for shelters and other rescues wasn't enough; she wanted to save the other "Pistols" out there, too. She filed the paperwork to become incorporated, followed closely by the 501c3 paperwork, and Arf's German Shepherd Rescue, Inc. was founded in March 2002.

IN MEMORY OF TERRI TINSLEY
JUNE 5, 1964 - DECEMBER 9, 2003

Terri Tinsley was killed in a car accident on December 9, 2003. Her passing created a void in the hearts of countless animals and people across the state of Wisconsin and the United States. Her joyous spirit, dedication to animals, tireless leadership and genuine compassion will never be forgotten. Terri left behind a legacy of love, hope and kindness. Terri was a beloved wife, incredible friend, dedicated rescuer and a true inspiration.

Everyone on the AGSR Board and ARF Resuce is strongly motivated by a desire to always do what is in the dog's best interest. We are the advocate for the dogs in all cases. Our goal is to match the dog with the best possible home and to match you with the best possible dog for your circumstances. We are all volunteers and do not receive any compensation for our hard work.

FAQ's: Can I come to your facility to look at the dogs up for adoption? The answer is no, our 'facility' is the individual homes of the volunteers who foster for us. You first need to put in an application, be approved and then we move onto the meet and greet portion of the adoption process.

Can I get an intact dog, I'd love for my children to experience the birthing of puppies? Absolutely NO. Just take a look at all the dogs (GSD's and others) on Petfinder that are homeless. A better experience for your

children is to volunteer at a local shelter or rescue and see all the people working to find homes for all

the homeless animals out there! Please leave the breeding to the expert reputable breeders! Puppies cost far more to vet, vaccinate, and feed than you will ever get for them.

To read more about AGSR policies and procedures, visit the Application area.