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About Us
Our Mission
German Shepherd Rescue Victoria Inc. is a registered charity made up of a committee of experienced people who are passionate about the rescuing and rehoming of our beloved GSDs, to loving forever homes. We are a not for profit organisation made up solely of volunteers who donate their time and energy to our cause.
Our mission is to use all our available resources to rescue and rehome as many GSDs as we possibly can within Victoria. We aim to save dogs from being euthanised, abandoned or neglected, and we are committed to ensuring they are rehomed to safe and loving homes. Along with our core objectives, we are also committed to supporting the public with advice, referrals and education.
How do we do this?
Through a network of volunteers made up of transporters, foster carers, dog trainers/behaviourists, administrators, fundraisers and donators who all work together to make this happen.
Where do we get our dogs from?
Our dogs come from a variety of sources such as: GSDs who have found themselves in pounds or shelters, and via referrals from other rescues and owners wishing to surrender their dog for many different reasons.
HOW DOES THE PROCESS WORK?
Once first contact has been made, we organise for a behavioural and health assessment to be completed by one of our trained volunteers. Following the assessment, we match the dog to a family on our waiting list, or advertise it in order to find a forever home. Ideally, we then transport the dog directly to its forever home, avoiding the need for foster care. If a dog coming into our care requires Veterinary care or behavioural support, we generally transport to an experience foster carer until such time that it is ready to go to a forever home. When in foster care, the rescue pays for all food, beds, collars, leads and Veterinary treatment.
What do we need to make this happen?
We have wonderful volunteers and foster carers to help us. Without the kindness and generosity of people, we could not do the work we do. As with all rescues, we also rely significantly on donations. The cost of Veterinary treatment is by far our greatest expense however, we also use donations to pay for food and supplies, to equip our foster carers with what they need to care for our dogs.
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Who we are
Hayley joined GSRV in 2014, she decided to get into rescue when she learnt about back yard breeding after purchasing her first puppy who had many medical issues. She has since made it her mission to better the lives of German Shepherds in need and to educate on the risks of buying backyard bred dogs. After moving through the GSRV ranks, Hayley now oversees, and assists with, the day-to-day running’s of GSRV.
A Vet Nurse for many years, Trisha is also a qualified canine behaviouralist, specializing in scientifically proven reward based training techniques. At GSRV Trisha assists foster and adoption homes with behavioural and medical support. Normally she has at least one, often more, of our Foster dogs living with her for rehabilitation before rehoming. Her beautiful natured GSD "Finn" has been the saviour of many a stressed and frightened rescue dog that arrives at Trisha’s home.
Her life was impacted significantly when she rescued Georgie. Watching how far a troubled dog could come in only a few months, Ange wanted to do more! How could she help more German Shepherds just like Georgie? The obvious answer was to start her own rescue; and in 2014, German Shepherd Rescue Victoria was founded.
Gary joined GSRV in January 2015 after realizing the team were so busy running around saving dogs that no one had time to do the ‘boring’ things like bookkeeping and governance, with all the strict requirements for charities this is of course an essential role. Gary offered his services and the Committee enthusiastically accepted his offer.
Vanessa joined the team in 2018 after a chance encounter with Ange who passionately spoke about GSRV, the work involved and the need for Volunteers. Having been an animal lover all her life and the proud owner a much-loved German Shepherd, she just knew she had to be involved in some way, so she eagerly put her hand up to Volunteer. Vanessa now takes care of the placement of foster dogs, as well as providing foster cares with ongoing support. Vanessa also confirms the finalisation of all dog adoptions; she loves nothing more than hearing the stories from the new proud parents and how their Rescue dog has changed their lives and the silly antics they get up to.
Andrew joined the GSRV Volunteer Team in 2016. After owning German Shepherds for over 25 years, he was looking for a way to give back to the breed. Andrew began following the GSRV Facebook page and shortly after took the opportunity to get involved. After many assessments and dog transports, Andrew has gone on to join the committee in the role of Volunteer Coordinator, introducing and supporting new volunteers as well as engaging with existing volunteers. Andrew and his family continue to experience the many rewards of the German Shepherd breed, including the adoption of rescue dog, Xena.
Kathryn decided to join GSRV in 2019, her aim was to volunteer her time to improve the lives of German Shepherd Dogs in need. Initially starting out as a transporter, Kathryn quickly took on the role of Adoptions Coordinator. Having had German Shepherds all her life, Kathryn has just taken on her first rescue, 8-year-old Bear, formerly known as Rusty.
Jess joined GSRV in 2017 as a foster carer. After taking in and rehabilitating some of our most reactive dogs she decided to take her involvement a step further, in 2018 Jess joined our committee and took on the role of Adoptions Coordinator. Finding she had a knack for helping animals in need, Jess changed her career path and now works as an Animal Welfare Supervisor. When Jess isn’t rehoming animals, she is doting on her gorgeous GSRV foster fail Beau!
Jacqui first came across GSRV on Facebook and applied to volunteer as a foster carer. It wasn’t long before she joined the Committee raising well needed funds and working on marketing with a focus on social media.
Jacqui enjoys engaging directly with all of the wonderful followers and supporters of GSRV via our Facebook page.
