Central Illinois German Shepherd Dog Rescue

You must be 18 years or older to fill out this application. We do not adopt dogs to minors.

IMPORTANT: you may use the TAB key to move to the next answer box in the form below. The ENTER key will submit the form. Do not hit ENTER until you have completed the form!

Note that incomplete applications will not be responded to.

Your first name
Your last name:
Your e-mail: (We need this in order to confirm that we have received your application and for further contact with you.)	Please double check to make sure you typed your correct email address!
Evening phone:
Cell phone (if you have one):
City and state you live in: (this rescue is located in Urbana, Illinois. Please do not apply for a dog if you are many states away. We do adopt out of state, however, Florida, Georgia, Colorado, or New York, etc are too far away. If you live many states away from this rescue, please do not fill out an application, but instead, visit Petfinder.com for a rescue closer to your location.)
The fees for adopting a dog through this rescue are a total of $275 for adults and $325 for puppies	I understand this.
Personal references are not asked of you here, but will be requested prior to adoption.
How long have you been employed by your current employer? If not currently employed, please explain.
Do you have other pets?
Who is your current veterinarian?
Please give information for your previous vet if you don't have a current vet and have owned pets before.
Veterinarian's phone:
IMPORTANT: If you are not interested in a dog currently available through this rescue, please do not fill out an application today, but wait until you see a dog you are interested in.
Do you prefer a male dog or a female dog?
What color preference you have for a German Shepherd? (we prefer that you give the name of a specific dog on our site that you are interested in)
What age of dog would you prefer?
Note: Those considering a senior citizen (dog over 7 years old) may qualify for medical care financial aid, please ask if interested.
Although we traditionally first contact you via e-mail, a rescue volunteer may wish to call you about setting up an appointment to visit with one of our adoptable dogs. In general, which weeknight evenings are you available to receive such a call? How late in the evening may we call you?
Who is this dog for?
Who will have primary responsibility for the dog's care?
Does anyone in your family have allergies to dogs?
Have you considered the long term commitment of time and financial resources required for dog ownership?
Are you committed to the adoption adjustment time period any dog will have, when going to a new home? (this time is at least 2 weeks)
All of our dogs are crate trained for their own safety and to allow for a smoother adjustment in their new home. Are you committed to continuing to use a crate through the adjustment period?
Have you and your family discussed the pros and cons of owning a German Shepherd Dog?
Is everyone in your family or household (including roommates) enthusiastic about getting a dog of this type?
Have you owned a German Shepherd or any dog before?
If you answered yes to the above question, please provide a brief history
What is it about a German Shepherd Dog (or a specific dog at our rescue) that interests you?
What other breeds have you considered?
What are the most important characteristics that you would like to see in a German Shepherd? (examples: active, calm, playful, intelligent, loving, protective, dominant, submissive, independent)
Note: Aggressive and severely problematic behavior animals are not put up for adoption, if they demonstrate any of these behaviors while in our care.
To facilitate the bonding process, obedience training is highly recommended. Would you like to have lessons with your new dog?
In order to keep your dog well adjusted, you must continue to take him to play dates, dog classes, a dog park, etc. Do not keep him at home and then wonder why he becomes overly protective.
How do you plan to discipline the dog?
Which best describes your current residence?
Your home is located in a:
Note: If you rent or lease your residence, or live in a mobile home park, proof of permission to have a large German Shepherd Dog will be required before an adoption is finalized.
Do you have a fenced yard and, if so, please explain the type of fence, height, and number of gates it has.
Can children easily open the gate(s)?
If your yard is not fenced, do you have a secure dog run?
What improvements, if necessary, will you make to secure your yard?
If you do not have access to a fenced area at your home, how do you plan to exercise your dog and allow your dog to eliminate?
Have you checked your yard for dangerous articles, plants, or anything the dog could use to climb and/or jump the fence (i.e.. Dog House, Picnic Table), or dig under the fence?
If you have a pool, is it fenced?
Do strangers (Meter Readers, etc.) require access to the area your dog will occupy?
Do friends, relatives, and children have access to your home, property, and/or car without your supervision?
Are you willing to instruct your children and other people who visit your home on the proper handling and care of German Shepherd Dogs?
If you have children, you are aware that large dogs can accidentally scratch or knock over a young child. German Shepherds are very protective of their home and their home's children. We will only adopt dogs proven to behave well around children to families that have children.
Are there any distractions outside the yard that may disturb and/or upset your dog? (Neighbor's dog, loose dogs on the street, neighborhood children)
Approximately how many hours each day will your dog be alone?
Do you travel out of town? If so, how will the dog be cared for during your absence?
Are you gone often?
Would you consider taking the dog with you?
Will the dog be kept primarily indoors or outdoors?
Where will the dog sleep at night?
How many pets do you currently have?
What kinds of pets to you have, how old are they, and what is their gender?
Are all your pets spayed/neutered?
Note: It is our policy not to adopt our pets to homes where the other pets are not already spayed/neutered. If you'd like to adopt, you may, but will be unable to bring the new dog home until the other pets are spayed/neutered. Approximately 8-12 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year and approximately 5-9 million are euthanized (60% of dogs and 70% of cats). — Annual Shelter Statistics, ASPCA The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) answers the question Why Spay or Neuter? (PDF—15K). This low-cost surgery keeps your animal healthier and helps fight pet overpopulation. If you show your current pet or are involved in bona fide canine activities where the dog must remain intact, proof must be supplied of active participation in a breed club: registration and breeder references. It is at the Central Illinois German Shepherd Dog Rescue's discretion whether of not we choose to adopt to the given situation. All of our dogs are spayed/neutered before they are placed.
Where did you get each of your pets and how long have you had them?
Where are your pets kept?
How many people live in your home?
How many are children?
Please list the ages of the children.
How did you hear about our organization?
Thank you for taking the time to complete this questionnaire. Your answers will permit us to more effectively match your needs with dogs in our program. If you have any comments or concerns about adopting a rescued German Shepherd Dog, about this program and its mission, or any additional comments or questions you might have, please tell us in the space below. We are always interested and open to your viewpoint. We do reserve the right to refuse any adoption. CI GSD Rescue is a registered, incorporated, Not For Profit Organization in the State of Illinois. All Donations are tax-deductible. Note: After submitting this form, you should be taken to a page that states "Thank you for submitting your online form." If you are not taken to this page, your browser may not support this online form. Contact us if this is the case at