GSP RESCUE is a network of dedicated volunteers who have the capacity to love their breed beyond the regard they hold for their own personal dogs. Rescue dogs come from shelters and pounds, from which they must be pulled, given health care, reconditioned or trained and placed. An unwanted dog may also come directly from a home where circumstances have changed. In these cases, we help the family find an appropriate new home for the dog.

GSP Rescue in the USA is a network of independent groups. Find a group here.

There are many regional GSP rescue groups across the United States and Canada. If you are interested in adoption, volunteering or would like more information on how to surrender your dog to rescue, please contact the group that covers your state or region.

If there is no contact listed for your state, please email us at rescue@gspca.org!

DONATIONS

Thank you for your consideration! Please note that 100% of donations go directly to GSPCA Rescue. Donors may choose the amount to give. Please make sure to include your name in the Notes field on the Paypal checkout page. If you are donating in memory of a dog or a person, or would otherwise like your funds earmarked for a specific dog or cause, please write your dedication in the “Notes” field.

VOLUNTEER

There are always GSPs in need of rescue, and Rescue is always in need of volunteers. There are many ways to contribute:

FOSTER HOMES – Either short or long term. Short term for emergency situations (pull a dog from a shelter that is scheduled for euthanization) or Long term: a dog that has been accepted into GSP Rescue and will need a foster home until he/she is placed. Long term foster homes must have secure above-ground fencing where the dog can safely get off lead exercise. Due to their temporary nature, short-term foster homes, if they don’t have above-ground fencing, must commit to hand-walking the foster (flexi lead or long check cord/leash).

TRANSPORT – Sometimes we need to move a dog from a shelter to foster care, or from temporary foster to long term, or from foster home to adopting home.

INTERVIEW – When someone wants to adopt a GSP, they first complete the application then a phone interview happens. Then, a home check is the last step in the process to approve a home for a GSP rescue. We have a form with guidelines on what to look for and questions to ask.

VISIT SHELTERS – Sometimes shelters have dogs that they believe may be GSPs but we always need visual confirmation before we can accept a GSP into Rescue. (Click here for tips to ID a GSP)Some shelters do not have the capability to take a digital photo and instantly email for identification; in these cases it is easiest for a volunteer to drive over to the shelter and see the dog in person.

FUND RAISING – If you are experienced at marketing or fundraising, you can donate your talents in this area. Our websites are all managed on a volunteer basis so any help there is greatly appreciated, too.

TO VOLUNTEER FOR A RESCUE GROUP NEAR YOU, please visit our Contacts page: rescue.gspca.org/regional.html If there is NO organized group in your area, you can still volunteer (or ask us about starting a rescue group!) just email us and we’ll help get you started!

ADOPT

Owning a companion dog is a serious commitment.  You will need to be able to offer ample time and training.  Fully investigate the breed you are interested in and decide whether or not that breed is the right choice.  It is in the best interest of both the person and the dog.

Shorthairs are sporting dogs.  As such, they have a high energy level and require daily exercise.  Many rescued dogs are given up by their original owners because those owners were unprepared or unable to cope with the activity.  Obedience training is essential.

Shorthairs are medium size, athletic dogs and can be disruptive if their exuberant energy is not channeled into structured exercise and training.

Rescued Shorthairs are typically very versatile and can be good hunting companions, obedience competitors, agility participants or jogging companions.  They have also been used as hearing-ear dogs, search and rescue dogs, service dogs for the handicapped and therapy dogs.  Your GSP Rescue volunteer can help you evaluate the temperament and potential of your dog and will advise you regarding training.

If you wish to adopt a GSP, please visit our regional rescue groups list and choose the rescue that covers your state.

RESCUE PROTOCOL

These Rescue Protocols have been adopted by the GSPCA as protocols to be followed by GSPCA participating rescue groups (“Rescue”).  To remain in compliance, GSPCA participating rescue groups must be substantially in compliance with all Protocols. 

I. INTAKE

• For all owner-surrendered dogs accepted into Rescue, the Rescue shall ask the surrendering owner for the breeder name and contact information and will attempt to locate and contact the breeder and/or notify the stud dog owner to inquire if they will accept the dog back. 
• Rescues will report to their GSPCA regional director and board rescue liaison the breeders who do and do not accept their dogs back.
• For all owner-surrendered dogs accepted into Rescue, the Rescue will receive written release from the owner of the dog relinquishing ownership.
• All dogs entering Rescue will be scanned for a microchip.  For dogs with a microchip, the Rescue will attempt to locate the owner of the dog. 
• Participating Rescues shall place a priority on accepting dogs in their geographical area.  If Rescues are able to cover all the intake needs of their geographical area and still have available foster and adoptive homes, that Rescue may pull from out of their geographical region, but must first contact the local GSPCA participating rescue and receive their written permission.

II. VETTING

• All dogs will be spayed or neutered before placement. In the event that a dog is too young to be spayed or neutered in the opinion of the rescue or a treating veterinarian, the dog may be placed under contract to have the spay or neuter done following placement.
• All dogs will be up to date on veterinary care before placement. Appropriate veterinary care will be determined by the rescue in conjunction with the treating veterinarian and should include, but is not limited to: rabies shot, distemper/parvo/lepto shot, bordetella, heartworm test and heartworm preventative (as is geographically appropriate).
• As much as possible, all dogs will be microchipped before placement. 
• Dogs that cannot be safely placed or pose a significant liability risk if they were to be placed should not be placed by the Rescue. 

III. PLACEMENT

• All dogs adopted through Rescue will be placed through an adoption process.  The adoption process should contain a vet reference check, if applicable and a home visit, if possible.
• All dogs adopted through Rescue will be adopted under an Adoption Contract that requires the adopter to return the dog to the Rescue if at any time they need to rehome the dog. 
• Individual Rescues should establish their own Adoption Placement Protocols to include instruction on these placement issues, including but not limited to, the following:
  • Containment systems, chain link, or short fences;
  • Crating;
  • Apartments or homes without available yards;
  • Dogs are adopted as companion animals and the dog’s ability to hunt is not guaranteed;
  • Sufficient exercise;
  • Cats or small dogs; and
  • Children.
• With very limited exceptions, dogs shall be placed in homes where they are not outdoor pets.
• Rescues shall serve as educators to help inform the public and their adopters on how to practice responsible dog ownership, as it relates to dogs generally as well as how it relates to GSPs specifically. 
• Dogs shall be placed by Rescues locally. A Rescue shall have an out-of-state policy for any adoptions that take place out of their geographical region that is in compliance with these protocols. 
  • To place a dog out of its geographical region, a Rescue must first require that an adopter work with and be approved by its local GSPCA participating rescue. If there is no local GSPCA participating rescue, this requirement is met through the closest GSPCA participating rescue.
  • Once approved with the local Rescue, an adopter must work with that local Rescue for a reasonable amount of time to find a good match. If the adopter is unable to find a good match after a reasonable amount of time, the local Rescue may give its permission, in writing, to the non-local GSPCA participating rescue to place a dog in that home. The adopter should make arrangements for transport and is financially responsible for travel.