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Our
Featured Adoptable
German Shepherd Dog
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Sadie who is no
longer starving
Sadie is
a sweet female, about 8 years old, that had been fending for herself for a long
time. Though her coat is nice when she arrived at rescue, it was matted and dirty.
Still, since she is heartworm negative and does not have fleas, we suspect she may
have been dumped by her previous owners. When she came to rescue, Sadie was so
underweight that she has muscle wasting from her body. This was from a long term
starvation, 4 to 6 months at least.
The lovely Miss Sadie has been
into rescue now for several weeks and has put on a little weight but a dog in this
condition can not eat lots of food to gain too quickly. Many small meals a day are
needed to avoid kidney failure. We began by giving her 8 meals a day (about 1/4
cup at a time and have been increasing the amount every few days). Her vet exams
have gone well and her hips and spine are good but she has such little muscle that
she can only walk or play ball (which she loves) for a few minutes at a time.
Wasting is sometimes referred
to as "acute malnutrition" causing muscle and fat tissue to
"waste" away. The body will combat malnutrition by breaking down its own
fat and eventually its own tissue.
Characteristic symptoms of starvation include:
* shrinkage of vital organs,
such as the heart, lungs.
* chronic diarrhea
* anemia
* reduction in muscle mass and weakness because of it
* low body temperature
* decreased ability to digest food because of lack of digestive acid production
* irritability
* immune deficiency
* swelling from fluid under the skin
So far we have gotten her
through the diarrhea, swelling from the fluid and she is digesting her food well
now but still being fed multiple times a day. Given the TLC she has missed, Sadie
should recover fully but needs a loving family that will treasure her as she
should be treasured.
If you are interested in
adopting a new family member from our organization, please complete the online
adoption application. |
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How To Adopt A New Friend
If you are interested in adopting
a new family member from our organization, please complete the online
adoption application. This is the fastest method but if you prefer, you may contact us by
e-mail so we can send
you an application.
 Our
adoption fee of $100 to $250 is based on each dog and it's needs. Senior dogs, special need
dogs and senior citizen adoptions are $100; all others are $200-$250. The adoption fee helps
cover expenses for the dogs while in the rescue program including the vet check, vaccines,
heartworm testing, stool check, spay/neuter plus other necessary veterinary care and training
to get the dog ready for adoption.
Everyone
must submit an application before an appointment is made to come and meet the dogs.
We work BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.
Our Mission and Objective
To find loving forever homes for adoptable German Shepherd Dogs
placed in shelters, strays and owner turn-ins. Provide needed medical care, training and
rehabilitation to neglected, abused or sick German Shepherd Dogs until they are ready for
adoption.
Goals
- Lower the number of unnecessary euthanasia of healthy, adoptable pets.
- Inform and educate about responsible humane treatment of animals and the importance of
spay/neuter.
- Bring attention to the plight of shelter pets in animal control facilities.
- Work toward insuring law enforcement agencies prosecute to the fullest extent of the
law, persons found guilty of cruelty and inhumane treatment of animals.
Who We Are
The TBGSR is an all volunteer non-profit pet
rescue organization for German Shepherd Dogs. We are supported by private donations, adoption
fees, fund raisers and bequests from individuals and businesses. All of our pets are
spayed/neutered prior to adoption. They are up-to-date on all vaccinations and heartworm
negative. We are dedicated to helping our adoptable animals find good homes where they will be
safe, well cared for and loved for the rest of their lives. Caring for these animals allows us
to learn more about their personalities and helps us to place them in a home best suited for
them.
Donations and Volunteering...
Tampa Bay German Shepherd Rescue welcomes
volunteers who wish to help. We are always in the need of foster homes to house dogs while
going though medical care while getting them ready for adoption. We have a list of items that
are on our wish list: Check them out and please do what you can!
Anyone wishing to make a donation toward our
rescue efforts can do so by sending a check to Tampa Bay German Shepherd Rescue at the
following address:
Tampa Bay German
Shepherd Rescue
11904 Mc Mullen Loop
Riverview, FL 33569
To all those that have donated funds to help with
vet bills & expenses and all those that have opened their homes to foster, we can not
thank you enough. You are true heroes!
Temporary Foster Homes Always Needed
When our facilities are full, this means we have
to turn down worthy candidates and can not pull dogs from shelters because space is at such a
premium. All dogs are spayed/neutered, wormed, treated for fleas, vaccinated and on heartworm
preventative. We provide a crate, leash, collars and food.
If you have the time, the patience and loads of
love to spare, we need you to help us brush up the skills that make these dogs
adoptable loving pets. PLEASE
EMAIL US for more info.
Wish List
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Loving Foster Homes
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Donations to our vets (heartworm treatments, spays/neuters, emergency
surgeries, heartworm and flea preventative & medications)
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PetsMart gift cards to get supplies as needed
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Iam's, Eukanuba, ProPlan or Nutro Large Breed Dog Food
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Throw rugs 24" x 36" up to 48" for the crates
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Someone to make crate pads
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Gift Cards for gas stations for transporter
Is The GSD The Right Breed For You?
 The
German Shepherd Dog (GSD) is a wonderful breed, but it is a "high
maintenance" animal not suited for everyone. If you are unfamiliar with our
favorite breed, please take the time to educate yourself about it. You can start right
here by reading the following.
"Top
10 Reasons
Why a GSD May Not Be
the Dog for You"
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German Shepherds require a serious commitment. Many of
the dogs that come to rescue organizations have no training. It is
important that the new family puts time and effort into training their
rescue dog.
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These dogs have a high energy level. The very energy
that allows these dogs to be police, search, guide and herding dogs is
often the reason these dogs are surrendered. If you’re looking for a
couch potato you may want to consider a different breed.
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German Shepherds are highly intelligent. If they are
not given a job to do they will often come up with their own.
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Click
Here to VOTE FOR US every day!
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Salute to our
Happily Adopted
Senior Dogs
In a world where most
families considering rescue automatically think of adopting a puppy, we rejoice each
time a senior dog is placed! And considering the pros and cons, why wouldn't anyone
prefer to share their home with an older dog?
- No potty training...
- No accidents to clean up...
- No trips outside to do their business every 2 hours...
- No chewed shoes, table legs, or worse...
- Already know their Doggy Manners...
- Daily exercise requirements are less demanding...
- Calmer and generally less disruptive...
- Just as loving...
- Just as lovable...
- Bond just as quickly with their new loving family.
Senior dogs want nothing
more than a warm pair of feet to lie next to, a snuggle with their favorite people
from time to time and a forever family to love. The dogs pictured here are all living
happily ever after. Thank you to all that have opened their hearts & homes to
these wonderful older babies!
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Donations
are always needed for
medically needy rescues
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And please remember that in Florida
Heartworm Preventative
is a year-round responsibility.
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We're all living happily ever after!
THANK YOU
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