IMPORTANT: Saving Paws Rescue is a 100% volunteer organization. We try to work as fast as we can, but due to the high volume of inquiries and contact, it may take up to 7 days before we can respond after an application is submitted. We thank you for your patience.
Policy Information
If you are interested in adopting a dog, the first step is to fill out an Adoption Application. Please review the Saving Paws Rescue (SPR) Policies below as well. This is required in order to setup an appointment to view/adopt any of the dogs. Thank you for looking!
SPRAZ Out of State Adoption Policy
We appreciate potential adopters wanting to give a homeless German Shepherd Dog a loving forever home; however, adoptions outside of the state are rarely approved. SPRAZ requires all family members including other dogs to come for a meet and greet. In addition, a home visit is required after the dog has been in the home for a period of time. Transportation costs (to and from should the dog not work out) have also contributed to our policy decision. We recommend you contact a reputable rescue near you that can help you find the perfect fit for your family. We are sorry to disappoint you and wish you the best as you look for a new member of your family.
SPRAZ Adoption Policy
Our adoption process begins with the completion of our online adoption application on our website at www.savingpawsrescue.org. A member of our Volunteer Adoption Team will review the application for completeness and perform a background check of the references provided. Once an application is approved, a phone screening will soon follow. Lastly, a home visit will be conducted by our volunteers after the dog has been placed in your home to ensure that both the dog and new adopter are doing well.
Our adoption fees range from $250 – $500. Most adult GSDs are $350 and puppies are $500. This amount only partially covers the cost of veterinary care, microchip, and all the expenses involved in the temporary care and adoption of our dogs. Special consideration may be given to those willing to adopt older dogs or dogs with special needs when approved by the Executive Director.
We require all our adopted dogs to be spayed or neutered, have a rabies vaccination and be microchipped. If this is not done prior to their adoption then SPR will allow the dog to leave on a foster-to-adopt agreement. Until the dog or puppy is spayed or neutered, SPR will maintain legal ownership of the dog. Our Adoption fee covers the spay or neuter, DHPP & Rabies vaccines and a microchip. For dogs adopted in Maricopa County we also transfer the license to the new owner.
Saving Paws Rescue generally does not cover the actual costs of a dog with the adoption fee alone. Donations (monetary and in-kind) allow the rescue to continue to rescue and save more dogs. For dogs that come to us with critical illnesses such as valley fever, pneumonia or a fractured leg, the costs can quickly escalate into the thousands. Our adoption fees are not increased to cover these additional costs. Saving Paws Rescue’s Volunteers work tirelessly to save, rehabilitate and re-home our dogs. Our mission is to find the best matched home for each and every dog.
SPRAZ is a specialized rescue working with strong athletic breeds. Mental and physical exercise is a key element in successfully adopting our dogs. SPRAZ policies restrict us from adoption of our dogs to adopters who reside on a 2nd story or above residence. Apartment, condominium or townhouse applicants must be on a 1st floor with an outdoor patio. Additionally, SPRAZ will restrict the placement of dogs that do not meet the criteria of being appropriate for placement in this setting. SPRAZ restricts the dogs available to seniors or special need younger dogs on a case by case basis. Before completing our application SPRAZ recommends all adopters seek confirmation from your landlord for renters and HOA for owners that our breed will be approved. SPRAZ will look for a first floor location when outdoor patio/yard space is accessible.
Adoption Application
Once your application has been submitted, please be patient as all staff members are volunteers and are not compensated for their time and expenses; many juggle family and full-time careers while volunteering at Saving Paws Rescue. As a result, it may take up to 5 days to process an application. Thank you!