Main Content

Our Mission

ShepHeroes is a foster based non-profit animal rescue organization with a deeply experienced team of volunteers focused on carefully placing German Shepherd Dogs into loving homes that match the dog's temperament, activity level, and needs.

Our dogs receive veterinary care and reside in volunteer foster homes while waiting for loving homes, and are altered, vaccinated and microchipped prior to adoption.

We focus our efforts on sound German Shepherd Dogs who are at risk due to abandonment, neglect, and abuse or significant change in circumstances. For the safety of our volunteers and adopters, we do not accept aggressive dogs into our program.

Our volunteers are heroes! Please join us with your time and talents to lend a hand to help our furry friends. Our needs range from virtual to hands-on tasks.

Are you interested in becoming a financial hero and supporting the rescue and welfare of abandoned shepherds? Norcal German Shepherd Rescue Inc. dba ShepHeroes is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization EIN #82-5263051, so your much-appreciated donations are tax-deductible and used solely to benefit the dogs in our care.

Adoption Policy

Our dogs are available to meet approved adopters through appointments and at various posted events throughout Northern California.

Since each GSD we rescue has been let down by their previous caregivers, we are committed to ensuring that their second chance is a forever one. Our adoption application allows us to find the best possible match for them and for you.

The decision to adopt a pet is an important one that we take seriously. Please take the time to read the questions and carefully complete the application. Please include full explanations with as much information as possible - this will help us with the review of your application

If renting, your landlord's consent is required to proceed with your application. Our landlord permission form is embedded in the application and is required before your application can be processed.

We primarily assist at-risk dogs and serve adopters in Northern California. We are currently focused in the following counties:

Alameda, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Marin, Monterey, Napa, Placer, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo, and on a limited basis the Ft. Bragg area of Mendocino County and Lake Tahoe region of Washoe County, NV. Our area of coverage shifts based on volunteer resources.

As an all-volunteer rescue, we may not respond as quickly as we would like. We appreciate your patience while we work through the adoption process. Our goal is to respond to you within a week of your application.

1. 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.

2. Interview
After submission, you'll receive an email indicating the status of your application and information on assignment to an adoption counselor (AC).

3. Home Check
After your interview, your AC will arrange for your home visit (HV). All household members & resident dogs should attend that meeting.

4. 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.

5. Sign Adoption Contract
Once you've found your perfect match, you review and sign the adoption contract.

6. Pay Fee
Our adoption fees are $400 for dogs under 12 months, $350 for dogs 1-6 y/o, and $200 for dogs 7 y/o and older.

7. Take the Pet Home
Once you've signed all the paperwork, you can take your new pup home!

Recommended Pets

Recommended Pets