Before you apply to adopt, please take the time to research the German Shepherd breed and consider the following questions to ensure that the German Shepherd is the right breed for you:

Do I have the time needed to commit to training and exercising a German Shepherd?

Your German Shepherd should complete a basic obedience class in order to ensure that he will be a well behaved member of the family. He will also need to be properly socialized, which involves taking him to public places on a regular basis so that he gets used to interacting with different types of people, dogs and children. As for exercise, German Shepherds need, at minimum, an hour of vigorous exercise daily.

Do I have the financial means necessary to provide for the care of a German Shepherd?

To keep your German Shepherd healthy, he will need to be fed a high quality dog food, receive regular veterinary care (including annual check-ups, vaccinations, heartworm and flea preventative and any emergency care that may arise). There are also other costs such as bowls, appropriate collars and leashes, training, toys, treats, shampoo, bedding, crate, etc. You can expect to spend a minimum of $1,500 per year to maintain your German Shepherd.

Am I the right type of owner for a German Shepherd?

German Shepherds are a head-strong, intelligent breed. A German Shepherd requires an owner who will provide strong, consistent leadership, without which undesirable behaviors may arise.

Am I ready to commit to owning a German Shepherd?

Owning a German Shepherd is a long-term commitment, as they can live 12 years or longer.

Is the German Shepherd the right breed for me?

Besides having a strong personality, German Shepherds are big dogs, reaching from 50 to 100 pounds at maturity. German Shepherds are also big shedders; many GSD enthusiasts have nicknamed them "German Shedders" because they are constantly shedding. GSDs also "blow" their coats twice a year, meaning they shed their fur profusely, and it often comes out in large clumps. Be prepared to vacuum a minimum of twice a week and have a lint roller handy.

For more information on the German Shepherd breed, please read the links in the About the Breed section of our website.

Once you have done your research and have decided that the German Shepherd breed is for you, please read the following Adoption Policies for Second Chance German Shepherd Rescue Houston before filling out an Adoption Application:

1. Applicant must be a responsible adult, 21 years of age or older, who can afford to provide all necessary care for a German Shepherd.
2. Applicants must provide two personal references and a veterinary reference and must agree to complete a home visit. Preferably, applicants should live in the greater Houston area. If we are unable to find a volunteer to complete your home visit, your application will be respectfully declined. Completion of the application process is not a guarantee of approval to adopt.
3. The applicants' home must have a fenced yard, with the exception of apartment and townhome dwellers. Barbed wire, invisible fencing, and fences shorter than 5 feet in height are unacceptable, as they pose a safety hazard.
4. Applicants who live in an apartment or rent a home/ townhome must provide written authorization from their landlord granting permission to keep a German Shepherd (specifically) on the property. This protects both the applicant and the German Shepherd should an issue arise in the future. Details on the landlord letter will be emailed to you after your application is received.
5. The applicant's new German Shepherd will be a part of the family, but a German Shepherd should NEVER be left alone with any children at any time. All interactions with the German Shepherd and children should be supervised at all times.
6. Applicants must be able and willing to provide adequate exercise and stimulation for a German Shepherd. Without such stimulation, unwanted behaviors can quickly surface. Different dogs require different types/amounts of exercise which is why it is important to choose the German Shepherd that best fits your lifestyle.
7. All pets residing in the applicants' home must be spayed or neutered. If an applicants' pet is unaltered due to medical reasons, those reasons must be explained in detail on the adoption application.
8. We do not reserve or "hold" dogs. There is no guarantee that the dog you apply to adopt will still be available for adoption once your application has been processed. Our dogs are not adopted on a "first come first served basis", rather dogs are placed in the home environment that best meets the dog's needs.
9. Adopting a dog can equate to a 10-year or longer commitment. Marriage, children, moving, etc. are all factors to consider when adding a new dog to your family. If you can commit to keeping your dog through these changes and more, you are ready to adopt!

10. Adoption fees are non-refundable. Our adoption fees are as follows:

    Puppies 6 months and under: $325

    Adults 7 months to 6 years: $300

    Seniors 7+ years: $250