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“We also found that shelters were reluctant to adopt out Shepherds because they feared walk-in adopters would not know how to properly train them. They felt this would result in more owner-surrenders, or worse, that more dogs would be dumped on the streets,” said Erik. With years of experience to back their contentions, the shelters had some justification for their thought process. To change this perception, the system needed to change how rescued German Shepherds were trained or re-trained as the case may be. The area needed a go-to-organization for German Shepherds, so these misunderstood dogs would have an understanding intermediary to facilitate being properly rehomed. Hence early in 2008, the Hoffers put their actions where their beliefs were, establishing South West Florida German Shepherd Rescue. “Our mission is to rehabilitate as many German Shepherds as we can, then find them quality homes and families in our local area. We formulated a plan that included bringing the dogs into our home, which meant
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they had to be properly vetted. Our mandate was that we would not re-home a dog that we would not adopt ourselves,” Erik told us. South West Florida German Shepherd Rescue has placed almost 400 dogs and contributed thousands of dollars to their community for animal welfare. “Money we collect goes to the Animal Welfare League of Charlotte County, a 501C3 animal shelter in Port Charlotte. It pays for the animals’ medical care (for all breeds), provides the hospital and medical resources we need to assist us in inoculations and spay/neuter operations for animals we acquire.” “We accept dogs from shelters as far north as Tampa and as far south as Naples. We turn down almost eight out of 10 dogs presented to us because of temperament. Our goal is to save as many German Shepherd Dogs as we can, but some are too far gone to be rehabilitated. We just can’t save them all,” said Erik. Two of their success stories: Pearl, Meet Caos (formerly known as Goosey). Barbara and Doug knew they wanted a German Shepherd as a companion for Pearl, their Border Collie. When Erik received a call from LaBelle Shelter that they were holding three German Shepherd Dogs, he immediately made a visit. “I knew we already had homes for the two females, who were as sweet as could be,” said Erik. “The male however, was undernourished, with skin lesions and ear infections. But, there was something in his eyes, and I promised him that I Continued on following page. would return.” g
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