German Shepherd Rescue of New England, Inc. |
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(GSRNE) is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to serving German Shepherd Dogs in need. We rely on our fundraisers and donations to continue our work. |
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Greetings!
Happy February and Happy Valentine's Day to each and every one of you! We hope everyone is enjoying the winter and continues to have fun with friends, family, and dogs, finding enjoyable ways to be outdoors. The colder days mean fun for both you and your dog, so grab your dog (or a friend's) and take time to enjoy all the fun outdoor activities.
This issue includes the Board Meeting Report, Birthday Cards for Sale, Remembering Betty White, Cookbooks for Sale, Candles for Sale, Happy Tails featuring Beau, Adoption News: helping 3 females in need and 2 happy males. Take Me Home presenting Blitz, Volunteer Spotlight featuring Deb S, Volunteer & Make a Difference, Thanking Volunteers, and Bringing Back an Oldie but Goodie in the sidebar..
All of our sales items can be ordered on our website at www.GSRNE.org!
Fondly,
E-newsletter staff
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Board Meeting Report
by: GSRNE Board
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Board Meeting
Sunday, January 9, 2022
Attending were Karen McCall, Tina Russo, Kathy Van Zandt, Jeannie McMahon and Treasurer, Briana Sullivan, by phone.
The annual meeting started at 11:30 AM at the home of Jeannie McMahon, and the minutes of the October 2021 meeting were read and accepted as read. We went over the various aspects of GSRNE in alphabetical order.
Administration: The most recent 3-year-term of Karen McCall as president expired, and she requested that we appoint a new president going forward. The Board voted for Tina Marie Russo, and she has agreed to step into the job; we will all continue to work together for the good of GSRNE. According to our By-Laws, a change of officers or board members must be made during the annual board meeting in January, and we are not making a change in board members at this time. We are now filing paperwork in Dropbox where volunteers can look up items as needed.
Adoptions: There were 34 successful adoptions: 15 had been foster-to-adopt placements, 6 dogs adopted from boarding situations and the 13 dogs were from foster homes. We discussed the need for caution when placing a dog directly with an approved adopter when we don’t have a foster home available. This has worked well in most cases; but when it doesn’t work out, we have to place the dog in boarding. When doing home visits, we’ll try to pair a new volunteer with someone experienced. We need more people doing follow-up calls with new adoption applicants, and Kathy V. and Debbie W. are doing very well with that.
Buddy Area: This area has not grown; most are repeat donors. We’ll try publicizing this area on Goggle Groups and in the Newsletter; also, when doing a write-up on a new dog include that the dog needs a Buddy.
Communications (Website, Newsletter, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram): Alan is working on an updated platform for our Website because of technical requirements. The Newsletter is very well-received and a major help in keeping our volunteers informed, but we need to have more people opening their copy. Kathy will remind people on Google Groups to do this. We do have a presence on Twitter and Instagram but need to provide more information for posting. We talked about limiting the responses to group emails when we’re discussing items for GSRNE; in many instances, only one or two people should comment privately to the person who originated the email.
Events/Fundraising: Tina reported on the success of the fundraisers we held to help make up for some of the income lacking when our Auction could not take place because of Covid-19 concerns. The sweatshirts, American Flag Tee-shirts, Beanies with GSRNE insignia, Christmas cards and Family Favorites Cookbooks raised a total of $4,849. Kathy launched the 50/50 Raffle, with the drawing to be held in February 2022, to start raising some income for 2022.
Evaluation Area: Try again to have a training videotape, How to do an Evaluation for GSRNE, so we’ll have it available to send to volunteers interested in doing evaluations. A new person would have to buddy up with an experienced evaluator before doing one as the main evaluator. We do need more evaluators, especially in CT. Dotti had asked that we stress the importance of having the evaluator take a dog in order to assess the reaction to another dog. If that is not possible, and the dog being surrendered is in a shelter, ask to have a shelter dog walk by. In a private home, the evaluator may not have a dog he/she can take, and we would not refuse to do the evaluation in that case.
Financial Area: Our treasurer, Briana S., reported that our total income for 2021 was $88,277, with $15,793 of that coming from the sale of our merchandise, including the annual calendar (we sold all the calendars we had printed, which made a profit of $4,632.59). The total expenses were $105,175, with the two biggest expenses being foster dog medical expense of $34,026 and foster dog boarding and training for $41,282.
Foster Area: We do not have a designated Foster Home Coordinator, so Dotti E., Diana T., Tina R. and other members are sharing the responsibility and discussing dogs on Monday night conference calls.
Debbie V. is doing the initial interview when a Foster Home Application comes in.
Foster Supplies Area: Peter A. and Jim H. have been moving supplies as requested. Some toys and supplies are sent by mail to a new foster home. We’ll ask Frank M. to store some supplies for the CT area.
Follow-up Area: Lucy M. gets information for the Newsletter to feature an adopted dog once a month and should be included on emails received with adopter updates and notices of a dog’s passing. Information is saved on the Master Dog List.
Fundraising: Tina R. initiated some successful fundraisers in 2021 and has some ideas cooking for 2022. She’s looking into a different kind of T-shirt sale and Christmas ornaments that look appealing. Loueen L. has designed All Occasion Cards to follow up on the success of our first ever Christmas Card offering and the GSRNE Cookbook she created.
Hotline: We have a Coordinator for the Adoption Hotline, Surrender and also General and Foster Hotlines and keep track of the numbers of calls received. The Adoption Hotline received 534 total calls in 2021 and sent out 290 Adoption Applications; 75 were rejected for No Fence, 7 for children younger than the minimum age and 246 for other reasons. The Surrender Hotline handled 365 contacts over the past year. We need more volunteers helping with each team of volunteers, and the coordinator of each area should be training new people so we’ll always have people for back-up if someone gets sick or can’t continue in their role.
Intake Area: Diana T. is our Intake Coordinator and has help from the previous coordinator, Dotti E. We are getting more requests than ever before about German Shepherds needing safe haven, and we need more volunteers helping in this area. Diana and Dotti are ready to train interested applicants to help with this crucial area. They responded to 365 contacts in 2021, often handling 5 or 6 at a time.
Legal: We’re looking for someone who specializes in Animal Law and willing to work with a rescue organization as needed.
Mail: Our main post office box is in Wayland, and the mail is picked up on a regular basis by Deb S. or Fran P., sorted and sent to the volunteers to be taken care of. Checks and financial items are sent to our treasurer, Briana S.
Membership: The renewal reminder needs to be sent in early March. The one that was sent for 2021 brought in a good response.
Photography: Loueen L. is our coordinator and reviews sample photos submitted by volunteers interested in photographing dogs in foster homes. Because we have foster homes in all New England states, we need more volunteers in this area.
Transport: We have a good team of volunteers who respond to requests from our Coordinator, Barbara J., but we need more people helping when dogs need to be moved from an owner or shelter to a foster home.
Training: We work with several certified trainers when a dog in foster care needs help beyond what most foster homes can provide on their own. This training means that more dogs become adoptable.
Volunteers: Our coordinator, Jeannie M., would like to schedule a Coordinator’s Meeting in the Spring. We’ve held these in past years, and it really helps to have coordinators in closer contact with each other, As new members volunteer to help with GSRNE jobs, Jeannie responds to them and alerts the coordinators that new help is available.
Working Dog: Mary F., certified trainer, will respond to calls that come in from owners who think their dog might have working capability and to calls from departments looking for a working dog.
Other: We’re evaluating our banking relations and considering options available to handle payments for GSRNE merchandise.
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Coming soon - GSRNE Birthday Cards!
by: GSRNE Staff
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COMING SOON IN MARCH!
GSRNE Birthday Greeting Cards will be available to purchase in March
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Remembering Betty White
by: GSRNE Staff
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We think all of you will agree with us that the world was indeed a better place because Betty White was in it. We’d like to thank everyone who generously donated to GSRNE in honor of her 100th Birthday. To witness throughout the day all the love and support that was shown to so many shelters and rescues all over the country, was amazing!! We had a wonderful outpouring of Love for our Dogs and Rescue. GSRNE received over $3500.00!
What an exceptional life she lived to be loved by so many.
Rest In Peace, Betty the world needs more like you...♥️🐾
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Cookbook For Sale
by: GSRNE Staff
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Candles For Sale
by: GSRNE Staff
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Check out our exclusive collection of GSRNE candles. Try our amazing scents that are perfect for Fall as well as upcoming Holiday gift giving!
29 fragrances. Still 100% soy..... burns evenly (same product as before but new company and more scents). Candles are 16 oz and cost $19.99 plus shipping and handling.
CANDLES
* Our candle products are all 100% all natural soy, hand-poured in small batches, fused with natural blends of only the highest quality fragrances, and colored to match both mood and "eye" sense. A long burning and soot free candle. Choose from a variety of styles to decorate every room in your home. Indulge yourself with our Spa fragrance, be inspired with our Pure Soy line, create your own scents with our clamshells, evoke your memories with the Hometowne Illuminations and create any mood with our classic line.
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Happy Tails: Beau
by: GSRNE Staff
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Beau #516 was adopted by Sue and Jeff in 2019 when he was about one and a half years old. They have adopted five German Shepherds over the years, three from GSRNE, and in addition to Beau, also currently give a home to Zoey (GSRNE #436). They agreed to first foster Beau when GSRNE needed someone to step up but then became another “failed” foster home, though his adoption is also of course a “success” situation. Sue describes Beau as a sweetheart. His favorite toy is a ring-shaped Frisbee which he loves more than anything. He will play tug-of-war and fetch with it nonstop, leaping into the air to catch it. When guests come to the house, he barks at them not so much as a protective measure, but to get their attention: he then drops the Frisbee at their feet, asking them to play. |
The family now lives in eastern California, which offers new adventures for a GSRNE German shepherd. Beau spends a lot of time in his backyard watching for coyotes and deer but also gets to run in the desert. Sue drives out to the desert, far from other cars and houses, where Beau can run faster than she’s ever seen a dog run, but still stay within her gaze. He, along with Zoey, who is happy to just trot around, investigates the sagebrush looking for lizards. He very occasionally will disturb a jackrabbit, and then the chase begins. (The rabbits are very smart and can run about 40 miles per hour, so he has not caught one yet.) Sue tells us it is very funny to hear him barking like a hound dog, not a shepherd, as he chases them. He stays nearby, however and is smart enough to come back to get some water; so he is never too far from Sue. Beau and Zoey are wonderful companions for Sue and her family. |
Adoption News: Helping 3 Females in Need
by: The Adoption Team
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The last adoption done in 2021 was for Sunny, who is now GSRNE # 594. At one year old, Sunny was in a shelter and really needed someone who would understand how to help her. She had lived in a crate most of her life and had no training and very little confidence. In foster care, she started to gain some self-control, and with regular exercise, issues like "mouthing" and chewing on items other than toys, gradually decreased. After two training sessions with our certified trainer, Sunny was learning to "Look" to her foster parents for directions, learning “Place” and “Leave it”. She enjoyed meeting and walking with other dogs and their people, and her adopters have told us that she's affectionate, loyal and playful. Sunny especially likes playing fetch, going for walks and playing with her treat ball and Kong crinkle bone. She was adopted on December 31st and is a loving and much-loved little girl!
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Next to be adopted was Shea, on January 4, 2022. At two years old, this girl had already had other homes after having been rescued from living on the streets. The owners who called GSRNE had not had her for very long but wanted very much to do right by her. They discovered that she was nervous around young children, and theirs are two and four years old. A veterinarian prescribed Trazodone for her, and it did help, but the couple did not want to keep her medicated. In foster care, in a calm environment, Shea became a different dog; her adopters tell us that she's the most affectionate dog they've ever seen. She loves to give kisses and stay close and really enjoys her walks and play sessions. Shea is GSRNE # 593.
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Our third adopted girl is Raven (now Lucy), also one year old who was placed in a shelter by her owners because of fights that broke out between her and another unspayed
female in the home. The ACO could see the potential in Raven and helped us introduce her to an approved adopter couple who agreed to give her a chance by fostering her to adopt. She had been nervous about meeting new people and also needed help with her confidence level, but they have been doing very nicely together and have adopted Raven, who is GSRNE # 595. They tell us that she plays nicely with the neighbors' dogs and gets lots of trail walks, using a long leash. They are going to training classes with her to help build up her confidence level and are seeing progress. They shared with us that she is “Velcroed” to both of them, and they think she's an awesome girl!
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Adoption News: And 2 Happy Males! Packer & Carver!!
by: The Adoption Team
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I know his name is familiar to a lot of you… Packer GSRNE #559, was originally adopted in November 2020 and returned to GSRNE four months later. After all this time he has finally found his forever home!! His new Dad is actually good friends with GSRNE’S Willow's (dad/adopter), and they work together. Packer’s new family is hoping to adopt a female companion friend for Packer from GSRNE in late spring early summer.
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GSRNE’S Carver has found his forever home!!
Carver is a sweet dog that likes everyone he meets. When we met him, we knew he was going to make someone a very nice companion. With his easy going, playful personality, he’s the perfect family dog! At the time we were asked to help him, it was close to Christmas, and we wanted to move him into his forever home. He seemed a good match for an approved adopter, a widower and his daughter, who is studying and working part-time. We asked if they would foster Carver with the option to adopt him. The Dad had grown up with German Shepherds and had lost their previous dog to cancer, and Carver took to both him and his daughter right away. They were looking for a dog who would enjoy going for daily walks and short trips in the car, and this boy is doing that and more as their family member, now officially adopted as GSRNE #596.
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Take Me Home: Blitz
by: GSRNE Staff
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Blitz, a 5-year-old male, came to our attention when a shelter contacted us asking if we could help this fun, regal boy. His original owners, an elderly couple, could no longer care for him properly and brought Blitz to a shelter, where he unfortunately became confused and despondent.
We were fortunate to have a foster family who would help this stunning boy build his confidence. They started Nose Work with Blitz as a way to help with that, and he got a great start in his new life. His foster Mom said she put an item two rooms away and six feet off the floor, and Blitz found it in less than a minute! She has even taught him to “alert” by sitting.
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Blitz also enjoys being brushed with a Furminator, taking apart stuffed toys, chasing squirrels away from the bird feeder, mealtimes and being close to his people. However, he continued to have some behavioral quirks, such as refusing to go willingly into a crate or use stairs to get to the second floor; he would also become anxious when visitors came to the house, requiring a controlled introduction. Once he became more comfortable, he would take treats and play ball with company. To help him work through some of these issues as well as reinforce basic training, we moved Blitz to a board-to-train facility with a trainer we’ve worked closely with in the past. After a few weeks, Blitz has made tremendous progress and is now ready to find his forever home with an adopter who will give him the patience and understanding he needs. |
Volunteer Spotlight: Deb S.
by Marie O.
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Hometown: Framingham, MA
How long have you been a GSRNE volunteer?
Since 2008.
What do you do for GSRNE?
I’m an all-around volunteer – whatever area needs help, I’m there. I’ve worked on the adoption team, conducted home evaluation visits and adoption meet-ups, been a foster home support person, helped with T-shirt sales, staffed information tables, helped out at special events, and coordinated the USPS mail sent to the organization.
Do you have a GSRNE dog?
Yes, Rocket (GSRNE #207) was my first. He was my heart dog. Now I have Georgie (GSRNE #392) and Zeke (GSRNE #469).
How did you get interested in GSRNE?
When I was adopting Rocket, I knew I wanted to be a part of this organization. I had such a loving feeling with everyone who helped me with Rocket, and they became my family. I wanted to give back to the organization because they gave me the privilege to adopt the most wonderful dog I’ve ever had. I will do anything for any GSRNE dog who needs help.
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What would you say to prospective volunteers?
Please don’t be shy! Please show your passion for whatever aspect of the organization that interests you. And be persistent! Because it is an all-volunteer organization, sometimes it takes time to get a response; don’t let that deter you. We need volunteers with a variety of interests, from becoming a foster home to helping transport dogs, and everything in between. Not only are you helping the dog, but you’re also helping their humans, too!
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In This Issue
- Board Meeting Report
- Birthday Cards for Sale
- Betty White Tribute
- Cookbooks for Sale
- Candles for Sale
- Happy Tails: Beau
- Adoption News: Helping 3 females in need
- Adoption New: And 2 happy males, Packer and Carver!!
- Take Me Home: Blitz
- Volunteer Spotlight: Deb
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Love IS Adoptable!
Forever Homes Wanted!
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To see all the dogs available for adoption please check out Available Dogs
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We thank all Volunteers for being a part of our pack.
Volunteer News:
GSRNE is happy to announce we have a new Website Coordinator. Samantha (Sam T.) who has been with GSRNE for 9 yrs. We know her well from many events she has helped to coordinate. She’s been a
fabulous volunteer who is always willing to help and is an organized individual. She has become a vital part of our group, and we are pleased she will take on more responsibility.
Congratulations Sam!
We would also like to thank Briana S. for her hard work and dedication for many years as Website Coordinator in addition to many other roles. She is our treasured Treasurer, which has become a full-time job as we’ve grown. She is happy to continue to lend a hand to Sam as she settles into this Coordinator role.
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Donations For Our
Foster Dogs
Thank you to so many of you for helping our foster dogs by sending us several of our requested supplies on our Wish List.
Most items provided to our foster homes for the dogs' care and training are generous donations from people like you. There are many items on the list that we need, but currently, we especially need toys for our foster dogs.
Our Wish List has a link that will bring you to our continuously updated list of items that you can order through Amazon.com. We have now updated the list to show which items we need more by being listed first and/or showing the priority level.
If you would like to help, please visit our Web site and go to our Wish List tab or click on this link: Wish List
to view the items.
The shipping address is included on the Amazon Web site when you "check out". You will see a shipping address to choose called GSRNE Foster Dogs Wish List. The shipping address will be automatically added to your order once selected.
For privacy reasons, Amazon will not share your address with us unless you add it to a "Gift Card" during the Checkout Process. We never share your information with other organizations and will only use it for the purpose of acknowledging your generosity and providing you with a receipt for tax purposes.
Thank you for all you do to help our GSDs in need!
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Foster Homes Needed!!
If you love the breed and want to help, consider fostering. GSRNE pays all the expenses. You provide the love and care. We receive several hundred calls for help every year from Shelters and Owners looking to place a dog with GSRNE. We cannot help them all but we need Foster Homes to help those that we can. Some of our Foster Homes become so attached to their Foster Dog that they become the dog's Forever Home. We love every happy ending but that also means we need a new Foster Home for the next dog in need. To learn more about fostering, please visit www.gsrne.org/foster/
When you look at the wonderful dogs available for adoption and you read the Happy Tails in our Newsletter and online, remember that GSRNE was able to help these dogs because of our Foster Homes.
Fostering Basics
A fence is required. Dogs are at the greatest risk of escape when they are first introduced to a new location. Children living in the home need to be age 10 or older.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.What does the foster home do?
You provide a safe and stable environment for the foster dog until he or she finds a forever home. You take care of your foster dog like you would your own dog - play, exercise, grooming and basic manners training. You also provide periodic reports to GSRNE about the dog's progress, personality, likes & dislikes so that GSRNE can find the right match for him or her.
2. How do I know if the foster dog will be a good fit for me and my family?
We work with you to determine what general type of dog will adapt to your household for a successful fostering experience for you & the rescue dog. We also provide strong support for you & help is only a phone call away.
3. How much does it cost to foster a GSD for GSRNE?
There is no cost to the foster home. GSRNE reimburses you for the foster dog's food and pays for all authorized vet care. In addition, GSRNE loans you a crate, feeding and water dishes, bedding, brushes, collars, leashes, & of course, toys!
You will find more information about our Foster Home Requirements at
If not you, who?
Please Foster
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If you can't adopt...FOSTER.
If you can't foster...DONATE,
VOLUNTEER, EDUCATE
& NETWORK. Tell your friends about GSRNE and fostering.
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Bringing Back an Oldie but Goodie! |
There is a new volunteer ….Maria O, who is working with Gail VH on the newsletter team. She will be highlighting volunteers in each edition.
Since I’m Volunteer Coordinator, I get to suggest people I think would be interesting and have been with GSRNE a long time!! When you hear from her you won’t be surprised!! It’s a good thing!!
Thanks!
Jeannie M
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Save The Date
GSRNE’s biggest fundraiser, our Auction, will be rescheduled to the spring of 2022 due to the fact that Covid is still hanging around!
Our new date is
April 24, 2022
Since the funds that we count on for the Auction are not available to us this year, we encourage anyone who has any new ideas for fundraisers to contact us so that we can keep on helping the loving dogs we take in!
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Future/Ongoing Events
GSRNE is always looking for people who want to help develop events. If you would like to participate in one of our future or ongoing events, just check out our events tab on our website. If interested, please contact us and let GSRNE or Jeannie know if you can help.
Information Tables
Whether for a certain holiday or event, local stores all want information tables. If you want to participate or be an organizer of events, when our communities are free to open up again, let us know at
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If you like to shop on AMAZON as much as we do please consider choosing GSRNE - German Shepherd Rescue of New England as your charity.
By choosing 'GERMAN SHEPHERD RESCUE OF NEW ENGLAND' as your AmazonSmile charity you can help our homeless dogs. It's easy to sign up and AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your purchase amount to the rescue.
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Volunteer - And Make a Difference
GSRNE Staff
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"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." -Winston Churchill
-JOIN THE GSRNE FAMILY!-
We've always believed when you choose to dedicate your own time to help others, you feel capable and are rewarded with a sense of purpose. Becoming a GSRNE volunteer is a great way to meet other people who love helping dogs. Sure, we know that volunteering makes us feel good. Did you know that, when you volunteer, you are improving your life and maybe even your health? The truth is that volunteering will bring a world of rewards you might never have expected... Socially, the benefits of volunteering show up quickly and have long-term effects... So many of our volunteers have created wonderful friendships that have lasted a lifetime.
All dog rescue groups need volunteers to operate successfully, and German Shepherd Rescue of New England, Inc. (GSRNE) is no exception! Volunteering a little bit of your time goes a long way in helping a needy German Shepherd. If you would like to learn more about our volunteer programs, go to: https://gsrne.org/gsrne-live/volunteer/
Events are fun for our volunteers and get us out into the public to share our stories and information about the Shepherd breed. If you are interested in helping out or want more information, check out the link below.
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For more information, Please contact
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German Shepherd Rescue of New England, Inc. (GSRNE) is an all volunteer, 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to providing veterinary care, evaluation & adoptive homes for the countless numbers of German Shepherd Dogs who are left in pounds to await uncertain fate, are owner surrenders (divorce, death, etc.), or are from abuse or neglect situations. We help provide a safe harbor for German Shepherd Dogs that might otherwise be destroyed.
For more information contact us at:
GSRNE, Inc.
PO Box 299
Wayland, MA 01778
24-hour hotline (978) 443-2202
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"The Shepherd's Watch" E-Newsletter Staff
Gina Dantuono / Design
Gail Van Hoesen /Editor
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