Garden State German Shepherd Rescue

12/23/2025

*IN NEED OF INMEDIATE FOSTER *

Gunner is a 1-year-old sweetheart who came from a tough situation. He was saved by a kind neighbor who, unfortunately, wasn’t able to keep him long-term. Now, Gunner is safe with us—but he urgently needs a foster home so he can settle into a loving environment.
Gunner is a very shy boy who just needs someone patient and understanding to help him learn that the world can be a safe place. He is not aggressive and does not show fear-based behaviors—he’s simply unsure and looking for reassurance. With time, consistency, and kindness, Gunner has all the potential to become an amazing companion.
✨ What Gunner Needs:
• A calm, patient foster
• Someone willing to help build his confidence
• A loving home where he can learn to trust
🏡 Fostering Information:
• Fosters always have the first right to adopt
• If you’re interested, please visit gsgsr.org and complete a foster application
• If you already have an approved application and are interested in Gunner, please email us with your application number
Help us give Gunner the fresh start he deserves

More pictures in comments.

12/22/2025

12/13/2025

Adoption Pending....thank you all for help in sharing

🐾 Meet Bailey – Our Newest Rescue Pup! 🐾
Please welcome Bailey to our rescue program! 💙

Bailey is currently available through our foster-to-adopt program, as he will need to be neutered before his adoption is finalized. Once that is completed, his foster family will fill out the adoption paperwork.
Bailey is a 14 month-old, friendly, big boy who loves:
Going on walks and hikes
Playing at the dog park, which he does great
Spending time with people

He is crate trained and already knows sit, paw, and down. Bailey walks well on leash but will benefit from continued training. He does well with children; however, we recommend a home with kids 10 years and older to help with training and playtime.

If you’re interested in fostering to adopt Bailey, please visit gsgsr.org and complete the foster application form.

**If you already put in an application and are interested, please email us your AA number or your name on application. **

Help us give Bailey the loving home he deserves

12/12/2025

✨ Strawberry’s Journey — Now Scarlett! ✨

Garden State German Shepherd Rescue was recently contacted about an accidental litter. The family who owned the dogs knew they couldn’t keep all the puppies, and as they grew more and more attached, they reached out for help—quickly.

They wanted to be sure each pup would find a wonderful home. When we arrived to pick up little Strawberry, tears were shed. Her owner’s only request was that she go to a good home, and we promised she would,Strawberry went straight into a foster home, where it didn’t take long to discover her big personality.

This confident little girl was clearly ready to take on the world—or maybe even land a modeling contract at 8 weeks old (don’t miss her video strutting in her designer coat!) ❤️. Also the video of her walking under the leaves. Its quite adorable 😍 she will make you smile

Though her foster family loved her, they realized she needed more than they could offer at this time. With heavy hearts, they made the loving decision to let her move on to her forever family.

Now renamed Scarlett, she has found the perfect match—a home with a high-energy Belgian Mal who can keep up with her bold spirit, and most importantly, a young boy who will fill her days with adventure, laughter, and love.

At Garden State German Shepherd Rescue, dogs come into our care all the time.
If you have an application on file and the dog you hoped for gets adopted, don’t worry—we will reach out about others who need you.

You’re always free to decline, but being on file helps us match more dogs with great homes.

Shelters everywhere are full. We encourage everyone to also check their local shelters.

In fact, we often send approved applicants to adopt from partner shelters after one of our temperament testers meets the dog.

Our mission is simple: get dogs into loving homes, whether through us or through our shelter partners.

As a foster-based rescue with no physical facility, our ability to save dogs depends entirely on the incredible people who open their homes and hearts. To all our foster families—thank you. You make stories like Scarlett’s possible.🐾❤️💕🐶💗😊

12/10/2025

Two Hearts, one leash, endless adventures. Congrats to Scarlet on her entry into the GSGSR Family.

12/05/2025

We wanted to update everyone on the progress of Ollie, the German Shepherd who had been placed on the euthanasia list at the Perth Amboy Animal Shelter. Perth Amboy animal control picked up Ollie when he was dumped and tied to a tree in July 2025

From the beginning, Ollie showed only fear, never aggression. He struggled to come to the front of his kennel, and although he never attempted to bite anyone, there were conversations behind the scenes labeling him a “risk.” One dedicated shelter volunteer, Tanya Caceres however, believed in Ollie. She worked with him every single day, sending GSGSR videos of his slow but steady progress. Still, he remained too fearful for the shelter to feel comfortable, and they scheduled his euthanasia for 11/18/2025.

GSGSR members refused to give up. They spoke with many people in township of Perth Amboy—including a police officer who insisted it was “too late” once the vet signed off on euthanasia. Wanting to understand the situation, one of our members contacted the vet directly. He explained that he had never examined Ollie; the shelter simply tells him which animals to euthanize.

We kept pushing. More calls were made, and we asked if a behaviorist could be allowed into the shelter to evaluate Ollie. Dr.Lori [email protected], stepped in, spent time with him, and the very next day was able to take him out of his kennel. Outside those bars, Ollie was a different dog.

GSGSR then found a loving family willing to give Ollie the forever home he deserved.

We owe everything to our incredible team of volunteers—a dedicated group who refused to stop fighting even when every town official ignored their pleas. Their persistence saved a life.

Please enjoy Ollie’s photos, and remember: you are the voice of the animals. We cannot save them all, but we can change the world for one dog when we work together.

Ollie, you are so loved thanks to the family that opened their home and heart to you.

11/28/2025

ADOPT Forrest; he is wishing for the greatest gift this holiday season—a loving home to call his own https://www.gsgsr.org/forests-page

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving!

Garden State German Shepherd is grateful for all of our incredible volunteers. We are grateful for each and every person who shares our posts, spreads the word, and supports our mission. Every donation—big or small—helps keep our dogs vetted, healthy, and receiving the care they deserve.

Rescue is not easy. There are highs and lows, triumphs and heartbreaks. But thanks to you, the journey is worth it. To everyone who has opened their heart and home to adopt one of our dogs, thank you for giving them the loving second chance they needed.

It’s not about us—it’s about you.
You are the ones doing the hard work, helping these dogs grow, heal, and transform in their foster homes. You help them arrive scared and leave confident, loved, and ready for a better life.

From all of us at Garden State German Shepherd—thank you. 🧡🐾
Share your pet.

11/26/2025

Happy Thanksgiving, GSGSR family! 🧡🐾

11/24/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17Muto6okq/

Courtesy post for the Perth Amboy NJ Shelter. FLORA has been waiting patiently for a family to adopt her. Please consider providing the love and home she needs.

11/23/2025

Congratulations to Ivy and her new family; looks like love is in the air.

11/23/2025

Congratulations Simba you are Adopted :)

Simba is waiting for his forever family to adopt him, keep sending in applications. We aren't finished reviewing qualified applicants yet — a goofy, lovable 8-month-old German Shepherd who’s ready to start his next adventure.
Simba was surrendered due to his owner’s medical issues, entirely through no fault of his own. At about 70 lbs, he’s a big-hearted puppy with an even bigger desire to be close to his people. If Simba had his way, he’d spend his days happily glued to your side like a giant, furry shadow.
He’s friendly with other dogs, though he can be a bit pushy and enthusiastic—think excited playground kid energy. Calm or quiet dogs may find him a bit overwhelming, but he genuinely means well. He’s also good with dog-savvy kids ages 12+ who understand Shepherd energy and puppy enthusiasm.
Simba is crate trained, though because of his past, he shouldn’t be crated for more than 4 hours at a time. He loves going for walks, playing fetch like it’s his full-time job, and being involved in whatever his humans are doing. He’s young, smart, and eager to learn—everything you want in a shepherd.
⸻
Simba’s Perfect Home 🐾
He would thrive with a family who can offer:
• An active lifestyle — regular walks, playtime, and exercise
• Commitment to continued training (he’s smart and loves to learn)
• Dog-savvy kids 12+
• A home without small animals
• A confident dog companion who won’t be overwhelmed or a family where he can be the solo star
• Plenty of human time — he loves being near his people
• Limited crate time (no more than 4 hours at a stretch)
⸻
Simba is full of love, joy, and goofy puppy charm. If you’re looking for a loyal companion who will make you laugh daily and stick by your side through life’s adventures, Simba may be your perfect match. 🐶❤️