Sedona Shepherd Sanctuary – A German Shepherd Rescue

Please note: Sedona Shepherd Sanctuary is a rescue and not an open shelter. We almost always have a waiting list of dogs needing to enter our program. We will do our best to assist you with placing your dog, however, we can not guarantee acceptance of owner dogs. Our first goal is always to try to keep your dog with you while we search for a proper home.

In order to enter either our owner referral program or surrender to us, you must fill out an owner referral application. To be eligible to enter our program, your dog must be fully vaccinated. If your dog is under 5 years old and not neutered or spayed, we can help you find a low cost option.

Two options for placing your dog on your own are listing via www.rescueme.org or www.adoptapet.com. Almost 4 years ago we wrote a blog - An Open Letter To German Shepherd Fans. Unfortunately, not much has changed in 2025 or in 2026 except more shelters are not taking owner surrendered dogs. We will do our best to help you.

For when an owner needs to find a new home for their adult and senior dog outside New Jersey.
Please note:  Due to overwhelming number of dogs needing our services for finding a forever home, we are not able to take in any owner surrendered dogs outside of New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania.  If you live in New Jersey and have a dog that is YOUNGER than 5 years of age, please reach out to German Shepherd Rescue of New Jersey or Garden State German Shepherd Rescue for help placing your dog. 

Sedona Owner Referral Program

In order to enter the owner referral program, you first must fill out an owner referral application.  Prior to meeting your dog, it MUST be up to date on rabies. We will then schedule a time to meet your dog and see if they can fit into our program.  While we specialize in adult and senior dogs, there are some limitations to what services we can provide.  We do not have the ability to provide financial support to owners and we do not have the ability to take in dogs with significant temperament issues.  We do work with a number of trainers and have other resources and contacts that can be of assistance.

The goal of the owner referral program is to allow you to keep your dog while we work to find a suitable home.  The adoption application for a Sedona Owner Referral Dog is no different than a Sedona Foster Dog.   You can be comfortable knowing that we screen applicants just as thoroughly and that we work with you, so that you are comfortable with the potential adopter.   Please email us at contact@sedonashepherd.com for the owner referral application.

Surrendering a dog to Sedona

At this time we have a limited number of spaces available and most are allocated to rescuing dogs that are located at the highest risk shelters.  We work with many shelters throughout New Jersey as well as a number of rescue groups.  If you are out of time for placing your dog, we can work with you to let you know the best location (be it another rescue or shelter) to surrender your dog.  We will work with that organization to continue to help find a home for your dog. If we are able to accommodate an owner surrender there is a $200 surrender fee. (We will waive the fee for economic hardship).