Thulani Senior German Shepherd Rescue

Home
United States
San Juan Bautista, CA
Thulani Senior German Shepherd Rescue

Thulani rescues abandoned and/or terminally ill senior (age 10+) German shepherd dogs in California, and finds permanent homes for them.
(35)

The Thulani Program rescues abandoned and terminally ill or very old German shepherd dogs from California and Nevada, and finds permanent or adoptive foster homes for them

06/21/2024

Now that summer has officially arrived, Gizmo is out and about town with his foster dad, enjoying some of his favorite activities including visiting farmers markets and trips to the coffee shop. Gizmo is an outstanding companion and a perfect gentleman in public.

Gizmo is looking for his forever coffee shop companion. Will it be with you? Please apply at https://tinyurl.com/GizmoTSGSR or email us at [email protected] if you want to know more about him.

06/20/2024

Spark is wishing all of his Thulani friends a very happy First Day of Summer! He also wanted to share a very important PSA regarding the warmer days ahead. While our pups love good outdoors time, it’s also important to be very careful in extreme heat, especially with seniors, as they are especially vulnerable in the heat!
A few tips for keeping your dogs cool and safe:
-Bring water and a collapsible bowl with you on outings and ensure there is fresh, clean water at home that is regularly refreshed.
-Take walks in the early morning and evenings to avoid peak heat hours, dogs can quickly overheat due to exposure and/or injure their paws if the ground surface is too warm
-Never leave your pets unattended in the car if it’s over 70 degrees. Dogs and cats can’t sweat like humans, so they pant to lower their body temperature. If they’re inside a car recycling very hot air, panting gives no relief, and heatstroke can happen quickly.
If it’s too hot for us to stay comfortable in the car, in the yard, or on a walk, it’s even hotter for our furry friends.

Happy summer and stay safe!

06/18/2024

It’s International Picnic Day! With sunny days ahead and a Thulani rescue pup by your side, anyday is the perfect day to celebrate the good things in life with a picnic! Pack up a lunch and some of your pup’s favorite toys and get outside to enjoy some fresh air and playtime together!
We know Meeko and Pete sure love being outside!

06/17/2024

We are thrilled to announce that Mighty Max has been adopted! His story shows how the Thulani community came together to help this special senior, who has a full life despite being blind. After Max’s initial foster was unable to keep him due to the resident dog not accepting him, we put out a plea for help and a prior Thulani adopter stepped up to foster him! It was meant to be because this wonderful family ended up making sweet Max a permanent part of their lives. We couldn’t be happier for Max and his family!
If you have any questions about fostering-to-adopt, or fostering in general, send us a message and we’ll be happy to speak with you!

06/15/2024

HAPPY TAILS! Thulani alumni dog Butch, adopted in August 2023, is one cool dude at age 14! He recently got a bath with a full brush out and is sporting his summer look. A perpetually happy, mellow guy, Butch is ready to do some lounging on his beds!

06/13/2024

It’s Woman Crush Wednesday and this week we are re-introducing you to adoptable pup Lorelie. This girl is perfect for anyone interested in a smaller GSD as she’s only 53 pounds and enjoys short walks. She is probably best as an only-dog since she’s a bit picky when it comes to making new canine friends, but she’s always happy to hang with her humans.

If you’re interested in learning more about Lorelie, find more information here: https://tinyurl.com/LorelieTSGSR

06/11/2024

Titus is available for adoption! This sweet 11-year old has been with Thulani for quite some time now, and we can’t figure out why! He is affectionate towards all people and is fairly laid back, though his morning walks certainly get him excited!

If you are looking for a dog who is loving and easygoing, Titus may be the right fit for you! Fill out an application or get in touch with us if you have any questions about Titus! https://tinyurl.com/TitusTSGSR

06/07/2024

Did you know that June is Pet Preparedness Month? This is a great reminder to include your pets in your emergency plan and to have a separate kit that includes their necessities! Do you have your kit prepared already? Let us know!

What should you include in your pet emergency kit?
Food: Keep several days’ supply of food in an airtight, waterproof container.
Water: Store a water bowl and several days’ supply of water.
Medicine: Keep an extra supply of the medicine your pet takes on a regular basis in a waterproof container.
First aid kit: Talk to your veterinarian about what is most appropriate for your pet’s emergency medical needs.
Collar with ID tag and a harness or leash: Include a backup leash, collar and ID tag. Have copies of your pet’s registration information and other relevant documents in a waterproof container and available electronically.
Traveling bag, crate or sturdy carrier: ideally one for each pet.
Grooming items: Pet shampoo, conditioner and other items, in case your pet needs some cleaning up.
Sanitation needs: Include newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags and household chlorine bleach to provide for your pet’s sanitation needs.
A picture of you and your pet together: If you become separated from your pet during an emergency, a picture of you and your pet together will help you document ownership and allow others to assist you in identifying your pet.
Familiar items: Put favorite toys, treats or bedding in your kit. Familiar items can help reduce stress for your pet.
For more information, we encourage to to visit https://www.ready.gov/pet-toolkit

06/05/2024

Greetings from Clarissa! She’s happy to share that her recent surgery went well and she is back to her normal self, most notably enjoying her favorite hobby, squirrel watching!

Clarissa is available for adoption, learn more about her and fill out an application here: http://tinyurl.com/ClarissaT

06/04/2024

Welcome to new dog Reginald T! Reginald (A0055880931, fka King Joey) came to Thulani from Oakland Animal Services on May 30.

Here’s what he has to say: “Hi, my name's Reggie and I can't wait to meet you. The Oakland Shelter staff were fantastic, but I really like the freedom of my new home with Thulani.”

Reginald is settling in at his foster home, stay tuned for an update.

06/03/2024

Drumroll please! Announcing Mr Monday! This week the honor goes to Spark T, an adoptable 8 year old male German Shepherd Shepherd mix. Spark is a large, athletic senior who loves the outdoors. This friendly boy has an affectionate, goofy personality. He would love for you to adopt him!

If you are interested in making Spark part of your family, please check out his bio and fill out an application. This doesn’t commit you to anything, it just gets you into our system so we can chat with you about him. https://tinyurl.com/TSGSRSpark

06/02/2024

Now is the perfect time to add a Thulani dog to your family to join you on your summer adventures. Whether it’s relaxing at home or heading out to explore nature, there is certainly a Thulani dog to match the rhythm of your life!

If you aren’t able to adopt or foster, consider sharing this post so we can help these dogs find their forever families!
Find each dog’s individual bio here: http://thulanidogs.org/available-dogs-2/

05/31/2024

If you are wondering how to pronounce Thulani, you are not alone. There are many different ways to say the word “Thulani,” depending on where you are from. We at TSGSR say “Too-lah-nee.” However you say it, we hope you also say that you love what we do for the senior pups!

05/30/2024

We are sad to share that Roo, fka Rusty, went to the Rainbow Bridge on Valentine’s Day. Roo was the last of the Fab 5 (Gibbs, Maleta, Ebony, Charity and Rusty) that Thulani rescued in March of 2021.

Roo’s adopter said this about her beloved giant boy: “Roo was more than a dog- and I love and admire dogs- but he was an extraordinary being, a magical roux of huge, generous handsome plushness and the most loving and good-natured of souls. He had no meanness or ability to be suspicious; he was filled with boundless optimism and he had an untouched innocence and yet was wise. And so very humorous!”

We are comforted knowing how deeply Roo was loved by his forever family and we know it’s never easy to lose a loved one. Thank you to Roo’s family for taking such wonderful care of him 💕and for sending us these photos to honor his life. Being a part of Thulani means accepting that our time is limited with these precious pups, but also a wonderful reminder to cherish each day we have with them. Rest in peace Roo!

05/28/2024

Have you ever had questions for us regarding adoption, fostering, volunteering, or how we operate? Or maybe there’s a dog you’ve been eyeing and want more information about? To try and best respond to the needs of our Thulani community, we recently launched a weekly Question Box via our stories, where you can ask any and every question you might have for us.

We hope this initiative will be useful to you, it certainly helps us better understand what we can do to keep our community informed! You can access our stories by clicking on the Thulani logo in the top left corner of this post. Stories last 24 hours but we will be saving and sharing each question, along with our response, in our highlights.

05/22/2024

Thulani is a Zulu word meaning “to be cared for” or “to be comforted.” You might be surprised to know that Thulani Senior German Shepherd Rescue didn’t start with an aging senior, but rather with a 3 month old puppy who had been badly abused, mistreated and neglected. He lived only a few months before passing, but he enjoyed every moment. His fosters named him Thulani and agreed to give him the best life possible for the time he had left, even knowing his dire medical condition. This selfless act reminded us that there are incredible people willing to provide a great final chapter for dogs with limited life expectancy.

Stay tuned for more posts about our history and what we do! In the meantime, check out our available dogs at https://tr.ee/thulanidogs

05/21/2024

Meeko T is quite the snuggle bug! After she gets back from her evening walk she wants to get into her bed, but she gets restless and can’t settle down. When her foster mom covers her up with her cozy blanket, Meeko falls asleep almost immediately!

Meeko will be available for adoption soon. In the meantime, please contact us at [email protected] if you want to know more about her.

05/20/2024

Happy National Rescue Dog Day from Gizmo and the entire Thulani team! We are happy to celebrate these pups every single day, though today we are extra grateful for the joy and unconditional love they bring into our lives. Each dog has so much to offer to the lucky families that bring them home and we love being able to make that happen.

Learn more about Gizmo and all of our adoptable dogs here: https://tr.ee/thulanidogs

05/18/2024

New family member DaisyMae T was introduced to a tradition in her new family--the group treat fest. She says she likes this tradition!

We can’t be happier for Miss DaisyMae, second from left, as she lifts her head in happy anticipation. She joins sibling dogs Odinn T (Thulani alumni), Lady J, and Wyatt J. There were Happy Tails all around at this adoption!

05/17/2024

Happy 3-year adoptaversary to Jackson! We were so happy when his family recently wrote to share a Happy Tails update! They said:

“Jackson is one of the happiest GSD’s we have had (8 so far with 3 from Thulani). He always has a smile on his face and is a people person.

He has two younger siblings and they are thick as thieves. It took him a little while to accept each of them as they were pups, but now he is an awesome older brother.

His favorite thing is to garden with me. He waits every day to head out and the smile and excitement on his face is evident.

Thankfully his vet checks show him to be in perfect health, something that amazes his Vet every time. But, we can’t deny he is moving slower, getting grayer and losing his hearing. We will continue to cherish every day with Jackson!”

Thanks again to Jackson’s family for the update and for giving him a lovely home to enjoy his golden years in, we are so happy to hear how much he’s loving life!

05/16/2024

This May marks the 6 month anniversary since Sasha (fka Sweet Pea) was adopted! This week, her adopters said “because the weather was warm today, we gave her a bath. Model performance - patient, not fighting us, stood still until we released her - then 3 mighty shakes, an energetic zoom around the yard, and settled into a towel dry session and now she’s all fluffy and nappy.”

We think she looks beautiful!! Happy adoptaversary Sasha!

05/03/2024

Happy May to all! We have NINE Thulani pups looking for their forever homes this month!

If you aren’t able to adopt or foster, consider sharing this post so we can help these dogs find their forever families!
Find each dog’s individual bio here: http://thulanidogs.org/available-dogs-2/

04/30/2024

Mr. Monday this week is featuring Gizmo! This kind boy is a lover of the outdoors and prefers spending lots of time by his humans’ side. He is friendly with other dogs, though he can be selective at times when meeting new dogs. If you are interested in adopting Gizmo, learn more about him here and fill out an application! https://tinyurl.com/GizmoTSGSR

04/26/2024

Wow, time flies! Tessa has been with her adopter for 10 months now. Living a relaxed life in the country, they couldn’t be happier! We are grateful to Tessa’s mom for giving her a wonderful second life in her golden years.

Please consider adopting a Thulani senior and changing their world forever. Check out our available dogs at http://thulanidogs.org/available-dogs-2/

04/25/2024

Thulani alumni Ginger T, adopted in November 2021, is doing great! She enjoys getting frequent big hugs (her favorite) and belly rub downs. This sweet girl is also best buddies with her canine siblings. Ginger is all smiles with brother Tennessee and is very content to be “Big Spoon and Little Spoon” with sister Lita. She is one lucky girl to have such a wonderful, loving family.

04/22/2024

Thulani dog Clarissa is ready for her forever home! Her mass removal surgery was successful and she is recovering well with her foster mom in Southern California. Clarissa is friendly and affectionate, great with kids, and good with other dogs. This gorgeous 8 year old girl will make the “pawfect” addition to your family!

Want to know more? Check out her bio at http://tinyurl.com/ClarissaT or email us at [email protected].

04/16/2024

Thulani senior Pete was such a good boy when he got his rabies vaccine booster on Saturday that he deserves an extra treat or two. Remember to keep your dogs vaccinations up to date and don’t forget to give them a special reward afterwards.

Pete is available for adoption, check out his bio at http://tinyurl.com/PeteThulani

04/16/2024

Did you know that the “nose prints” of dogs are unique just as our human fingerprints are? How cool is that? Spark was excited to share this fun fact, plus a close up of his own nose print! A fun fact about Spark is that he is a loving and goofy boy who is full of affection to share! Are you interested in adopting him? Learn more about him here: https://tr.ee/thulanidogs

04/13/2024

Adoptable 1 year old pup Sesame, aka Chunk, loves cuddles with older dogs! His foster mom shared this very sweet photo of him with his housemate, 11 year old Thulani alumni Sarah T.

Chunk would be fine as an only dog but would thrive best in a home with a family that has a fellow canine brother or sister (or two!) to play with. Find out more about this expert snuggler at https://tinyurl.com/SesameBunThulani

04/13/2024

Amazing Gracie! This sweet girl, formerly Gracia T from City of Stockton Animal Shelter, was adopted in June of 2023. Although it took Gracie some time to fully embrace her new surroundings because she had clearly been trained not to jump on furniture, she is now feeling right at home and even taking over the bed, to her adopters' delight. Wishing Gracie and her forever mom continued bliss. 💖

Address

PO Box 1065
San Juan Bautista, CA
95045

Telephone

+18337364679

Website

http://www.thulanidogs.org/, https://linktr.ee/thulani_rescue

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Thulani Senior German Shepherd Rescue posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Thulani Senior German Shepherd Rescue:

Videos

Happy International Picnic Day!

June Adoptable Dogs

Now is the perfect time to add a Thulani dog to your family to join you on your summer adventures. Whether it’s relaxing at home or heading out to explore nature, there is certainly a Thulani dog to match the rhythm of your life! If you aren’t able to adopt or foster, consider sharing this post so we can help these dogs find their forever families! Find each dog’s individual bio here: http://thulanidogs.org/available-dogs-2/ #adoptdontshop #seniordoglove #thulani #rescuepup

Remembering Roo 💕

We are sad to share that Roo, fka Rusty, went to the Rainbow Bridge on Valentine’s Day. Roo was the last of the Fab 5 (Gibbs, Maleta, Ebony, Charity and Rusty) that Thulani rescued in March of 2021. Roo’s adopter said this about her beloved giant boy: “Roo was more than a dog- and I love and admire dogs- but he was an extraordinary being, a magical roux of huge, generous handsome plushness and the most loving and good-natured of souls. He had no meanness or ability to be suspicious; he was filled with boundless optimism and he had an untouched innocence and yet was wise. And so very humorous!” We are comforted knowing how deeply Roo was loved by his forever family and we know it’s never easy to lose a loved one. Thank you to Roo’s family for taking such wonderful care of him 💕and for sending us these photos to honor his life. Being a part of Thulani means accepting that our time is limited with these precious pups, but also a wonderful reminder to cherish each day we have with them. Rest in peace Roo! #thulanirescue #adoptdontshop #rescuepup

Jackson's 3-year adoptaversary 🩵

Happy 3-year adoptaversary to Jackson! We were so happy when his family recently wrote to share a Happy Tails update! They said: “Jackson is one of the happiest GSD’s we have had (8 so far with 3 from Thulani). He always has a smile on his face and is a people person. He has two younger siblings and they are thick as thieves. It took him a little while to accept each of them as they were pups, but now he is an awesome older brother. His favorite thing is to garden with me. He waits every day to head out and the smile and excitement on his face is evident. Thankfully his vet checks show him to be in perfect health, something that amazes his Vet every time. But, we can’t deny he is moving slower, getting grayer and losing his hearing. We will continue to cherish every day with Jackson!” Thanks again to Jackson’s family for the update and for giving him a lovely home to enjoy his golden years in, we are so happy to hear how much he’s loving life! #thulanirescue #adoptdontshop #supersenior #rescuepup

May Adoptable Dogs 💛

Happy May to all! We have NINE Thulani pups looking for their forever homes this month! If you aren’t able to adopt or foster, consider sharing this post so we can help these dogs find their forever families! Find each dog’s individual bio here: http://thulanidogs.org/available-dogs-2/ #adoptdontshop #seniordoglove #thulani #rescuepup

Adopt Gizmo!

Happy Tails with Gracie

Adopt Meeko!

Meeko knows how to strike a pose! This energetic 8 year old is the perfect size companion for someone that wants a somewhat athletic, mobile dog. She is curious and can get excited upon seeing other dogs on leash, and would do well with a family that is committed to continuing her training as she is still working on her manners. Meeko will be available for adoption soon! If you are interested in adopting her, get in touch with us at [email protected] #adoptdontshop #seniordoglove #thulani

Remembering Nikita ❤️

We are sad to share that Nikita went to the Rainbow Bridge on March 8, just a few months short of 11 years old. We are grateful for the happy life she was able to enjoy with her foster families, and for the immense love they shared ❤️ Please join us in remembering this sweet girl. It’s never easy for us to say goodbye to our Thulani dogs, but we are comforted in knowing how much bliss she was able to enjoy in her final years. #adoptdontshop #seniordoglove #rainbowbridge

April Adoptable Pups 💖

No April Fools’ jokes here, we have NINE Thulani pups looking for their forever homes this month! If you aren’t able to adopt or foster, consider sharing this post so we can help these dogs find their forever families! Find each dog’s individual bio here: http://thulanidogs.org/available-dogs-2/ #adoptdontshop #seniordoglove #thulani #rescuepup

Postcards from Buddy 💙

Thulani adoptee Buddy (formerly known as Buck) was adopted in October 2022. Since then, he’s been lucky enough to go on several road trips with his family, who wrote in to share some updates on their recent summer travels in their Airstream! They wrote: “We made some long stops during our travels and Buddy was admired by all with his beautiful coat and demeanor. There was an Airstream convention in Wyoming, visiting family in upstate NY, then more family in Ohio and upper Michigan. It seems that Buddy now understands that going out in the camper ends by returning home. He’s a happy camper now and has been out on multiple trips.” Thanks to Buddy’s family for sharing this update and their wonderful photos! If you’d like to share a Happy Tails update with us, feel free to send us a direct message or email us at [email protected] #adoptdontshop #happytails #dogadventures #thulani

Sesame Bun Turns 1!

Join us in wishing Sesame Bun a happy 1st birthday! 🥳 🎉 🎈 This loving pup is looking for his forever home, where he’d be happy to live with other dogs and also cuddle close to his human(s). Learn more about him here: https://tinyurl.com/SesameBunThulani Happy birthday Sesame! We love you! #adoptdontshop #thulani #rescuepup

Happy Tails with Sasha 💜

Sasha (formerly Sweet Pea) sends her love! Three months after joining her forever family, she is loving life and settling into her routine, and already shares a special bond with her family. Her family says “She looks forward to meals, routines, and 2 or 3 walks a day! We’re still working on her being alone, but it’s only been 3 months with us (and she was 6 in the shelter). We’re so lucky to have her.” We are so happy to hear from our Thulani families, thank you to Sasha’s family for sending this update and for taking such wonderful care of her! #adoptdontshop #rescuepup #thulani #seniordoglove

March Adoptable Pups 💚

March may be your lucky month as we have TEN loving Thulani pups who are ready to add endless extra love into your lives. If you aren’t able to adopt or foster, consider sharing this post so we can help these dogs find their forever homes! Find each dog’s individual bio here: http://thulanidogs.org/available-dogs-2/ #adoptdontshop #seniordoglove #thulani #rescuepup

We were blown away when we saw these beautiful photos of Sesame Bun! At only 11 months old, Sesame Bun is much younger than our typical Thulani dog, which is because his mom Trudy was saved by Thulani in 2023, and was pregnant at the time! Sesame is looking for his forever home! Growing up in a large pack at his foster home, Sesame Bun is dog friendly; he’s playful with the younger members, but respectful of the older dogs in the pack. He is very intelligent and food motivated and is learning his basic obedience commands. He would be fine as an only dog but would thrive best in a home with a family that has a fellow canine brother or sister (or two!) to play with. He is an expert snuggler as well and would love to be by your side at night, warming your lap and showering you with kisses. Does he sound like the perfect addition to your family? Fill out an adoption application today! https://tr.ee/thulaniadopt #adoptdontshop #thulani #rescuepup

National Love Your Pet Day! 💖

It’s National Love Your Pet Day! In other words, just a regular day of going crazy for our pups in the Thulani community 😉 Nonetheless, we love finding any excuse to show our adoptable dogs a little extra love! 💖 Do you have a Thulani dog you’re celebrating today? Please feel free to send us photos or share them in the comments! And check out http://thulanidogs.org/available-dogs-2/ to learn more about our adoptable dogs! #adoptdontshop #loveyourpetday #thulani #seniordoglove

Adopt DaisyMae!

DaisyMae is happy to report that she is loving life with her new foster family! 😍 She is energetic, affectionate, and overall a wonderful companion. She would love to be your walking buddy out on the trail. Does she sound like the perfect addition to your family? 💕 Read her detailed profile to learn more about her: http://tinyurl.com/DaisyMaeThulani #adoptdontshop #thulani #seniordoglove

Adopt Pete!

Pete is sending his love! This goofy guy LOVES to play ball and his tail practically wags nonstop. If you think this happy-go-lucky pup sounds like he could be your perfect pal to play fetch with, fill out an adoption application today! https://tr.ee/thulaniadopt #adoptdontshop #thulani #seniordoglove

Happy Valentine's Day from Meeko!

Happy Valentine’s Day from Meeko! This friendly 8 year old is looking for a forever family and promises to be the sweetest valentine! She is the perfect size companion for someone that wants a somewhat athletic, mobile dog. She is curious and can get a little excited upon seeing other dogs at a distance, and would do well with a family that is committed to continuing her training to ensure her manners stay in check. We are still getting to know Meeko, and she will be available for adoption soon. If you are interested in making Meeko your forever valentine once she becomes available for adoption, please email us at [email protected] #adoptdontshop #thulani #seniordoglove #valentine