Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue

Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue This page honors the legacy of the 3,200 dogs rescued through Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue from 2017 to 2024.

The SSR mission continues under Second Start Rescue. —Jennifer Aufdenberg, Co-Founder

The following is the Order of the Circuit Court for Frederick County, Virginia, entered January 9, 2026.JENNIFER LYNN AU...
01/14/2026

The following is the Order of the Circuit Court for Frederick County, Virginia, entered January 9, 2026.

JENNIFER LYNN AUFDENBERG, et. al.
Plaintiff

v.
Case No. CL24-533

SHENANDOAH SHEPHERD RESCUE, INC., et. al.
Defendant

ORDER

Came this 7th day of January, 2026, the parties, by their counsel, and pursuant to the Code of Virginia, §13.1-672.6, the Court does hereby order the following:

1. Stephen L. Pettler, Esquire, (Custodian), is hereby appointed custodian of the assets of Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue, Inc.

2. The Custodian shall have the following rights and responsibilities pursuant to §13.1-672.6:

a. Access to any and all bank accounts where any monies are that of the corporation or were monies that were moved pending this litigation.

b. Access to any and all financial institutions’ accounts where assets of the corporation may be held.

c. Access to any and all accounting performed for the corporation.

d. May request a full accounting from either party as to where any assets may be located to include any monies which were removed prior to, pending, or concurrently with this litigation.

e. Pay any outstanding liabilities which are deemed appropriately attributed to the corporation.

f. May transfer any liquid assets as he may deem fit.

g. May not sell or dispose of real property or tangible assets without concurrence of the parties or leave of Court.

3. The Court is aware that monies from the corporation’s primary bank account were removed and relocated. The parties shall provide a full and complete accounting of all deposits, their deposit location, any bills paid, and any donations collected when requested by the custodian to allow for the custodian to accomplish his obligations under the Code of Virginia.

4. The Custodian shall be compensated at a reasonable rate for his services.

5. The Court shall place this matter on its April 8, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. motions day for the Court’s review. Neither party nor the custodian need to appear on this day unless there is a need.

6. The Clerk is ordered to disseminate copies of this Order to Glen Koontz, Esquire; Timothy Johnson, Esquire; and Stephen L. Pettler, Esquire.

7. This matter is continued.

8. Signatures are dispensed with pursuant to Rule 1:13.

ENTERED: January 9, 2026

Judge Christopher E. Collins

Every dog deserves a loving home until the end. I’m so glad I was able to give that to you, 🥰I rescued Wash from my lo...
01/13/2026

Every dog deserves a loving home until the end. I’m so glad I was able to give that to you, 🥰

I rescued Wash from my local shelter when he was 10½ years old. I never dreamed we’d get nearly three years together. I had always rescued middle-aged dogs who never lasted more than four years, and yet this super senior defied everything when life constantly tried to take him out.

December 22, 2022 — he accidentally came home with me.

By February 2023, Wash was hospitalized with HGE and pancreatitis. I didn’t think he’d make it.

By Spring 2024, his undescended testicle had grown into an enormous tumor, and he underwent surgery at 11+ years old. He came flying out of anesthesia a brand-new man.

Then, the next year in Fall 2024, he endured a severe foot injury following a spider bite. It took more than $21,000 to save his life, and he was a champ through it all.

In our last year together, in early 2025, he was diagnosed with a splenic tumor and temporarily lost the ability to walk. He was given a very short prognosis of less than a month. Together, we went to acupuncture appointments and started holistic treatment. He started walking again and surpassed his expectancy by nearly a year.

You broke the ‘Curse of the W’, my brave warrior boy!

We lost Wash on October 6, 2025, and the absence of his presence is still so deeply felt.

Wash, I love you and I miss you. You made my life better in ways few could ever understand.

Major - Deadline 12/30/25Message from Palm Valley Animal Society 👇 Major A230427 is a beautiful German Shepherd who orig...
12/24/2025

Major - Deadline 12/30/25

Message from Palm Valley Animal Society 👇

Major A230427 is a beautiful German Shepherd who originally came to our shelter in May as part of a bite quarantine case.

According to the incident report, Major bit an individual who was attempting to break up an altercation between her and another dog. Since being in our care, Major has not shown aggression concerns and has successfully shared a kennel with another dog without issue.

As a German Shepherd, Major requires more mental and physical stimulation than we can provide in a shelter environment. The lack of appropriate outlets for her energy is beginning to impact her well-being. She has started to display signs of kennel anxiety, including jumping in her kennel and occasionally redirecting her frustration toward her kennel mate. In playgroups, Major does very well. She greets other dogs politely, plays appropriately, gives fair corrections, respects boundaries, and walks well on leash.

A deadline has been set for Major, as she needs an environment that can provide consistent enrichment, structure, and individualized attention. Without these outlets, her anxiety will continue to worsen, and her overall quality of life will continue to decline in the shelter.

If your organization is able to offer the environment Major needs to thrive before Monday, December 30th, please reach out to our Rescue Team!

[email protected]
Edinburg, TX

I hope every SSR pup out there is being spoiled and reminded just how amazing they are 💞
12/24/2025

I hope every SSR pup out there is being spoiled and reminded just how amazing they are 💞

This is River Song (aka Penelope SSR 1948 (Shenandoah)). I adopted her in July of 2021, six months after my previous bes...
12/22/2025

This is River Song (aka Penelope SSR 1948 (Shenandoah)). I adopted her in July of 2021, six months after my previous best bud passed. I had looked at several different pups, but something about her face just pulled at me. She was scraggly from having had mange, and had heartworm, a massive ear infection in both ears, and allergies that made her scratch herself 24\7 the first day or two until we got her on some allergy meds. It took a while, but with the help of our awesome vet, we got everything cleared up.

Her listing said she probably didn't want to do a lot of hiking, but she turned out to be a great hiking buddy, although now that she's ~10.5, she's slowing down a little bit. 🙂 She loves riding in the car and goes everywhere with me, and she, her grandma, and I also go on lots of rides together during the week. I also wanted a cuddler and... got the exact opposite. 😃 She loves being petted, but if you want to lay down next to her, she will just give you her patented "really?" look and then get up and go lay down somewhere else.

She is kind of a reactive mess, barking at delivery vans, mini-vans, muscle cars, motorcycles, bicycles, etc., along with female dogs, and about 30% of the men we meet. She has gotten better with training, but may never completely be non-reactive. That's ok, I just adjusted our walks and hikes to avoid her triggers and we do fine.

She is goofy and a doof, but she is a great dog and I can't imagine my life without her.

I have been waiting here patiently 💔Will anybody ever give Carson a chance?
12/19/2025

I have been waiting here patiently 💔

Will anybody ever give Carson a chance?

Mama may have been left behind to spend the rest of her life having babies on the streets, but I am so incredibly thankf...
12/19/2025

Mama may have been left behind to spend the rest of her life having babies on the streets, but I am so incredibly thankful for the street feeding team we were able to find for her.

When we went back to look for her at the beginning of this year, she was a bag of bones—hairless and unable to walk.

Now she’s pregnant again and will have her puppies under the trailer she calls home. But her belly is full every night, and she’s finally starting to understand that she is loved.

I just want to take a moment to thank the local street feeders of Texas. You have one of the toughest jobs, you are constantly under attack, and these dogs are alive because of you. 🩷

Recently, I came across these photos of Captain, aka Tre, and felt a tinge of sadness.He was one of the last dogs I resc...
12/13/2025

Recently, I came across these photos of Captain, aka Tre, and felt a tinge of sadness.

He was one of the last dogs I rescued before the takeover, arriving at the ER just five days before everything was taken from us.

If anyone knows how he’s doing, I’d really love to know.

Everybody, this is Carson. He’s a senior dog who landed in boarding after his owner was found deceased. We originally re...
12/05/2025

Everybody, this is Carson. He’s a senior dog who landed in boarding after his owner was found deceased. We originally rescued him as an injured dog from TX back in 2020.

This handsome guy desperately needs an adopter or foster. Carson is an older gentleman, calm and low energy. He loves being outside watching the birds fly.

Carson is an easy boy to hang out with. He doesn’t ask for much. He loves car rides, running in the yard, or just being a couch potato. He really needs more exercise. He’s a little chubby but still wants to play.

Unfortunately, Carson has a bite history which has limited his prospects.

If you’re interested in fostering or adopting this big teddy bear, please reach out. Please, we’re kind of begging.

He is being boarded through Second Start Rescue in Wi******er, VA

Address

Mission, TX

Website

https://medium.com/@jenniferaufdenberg/aufdenberg-v-202c41770eaa

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