By Holly Galbus

ESTABLISHED: 2015  savingshepherdsofmn.org

WHO THEY ARE:

501 (c) (3). German Shepherd Dog rescue located in Roseville, Minn., founded by Lisa Veit, Randy Lenz, a retired K-9 officer, and Tressa Hinrichs. Rescues are housed by 10 to 12 active foster families in the area. The group relies on volunteers and donations for support. 

PASSION: 

“I love the breed, says Veit, who began rescuing Shepherds six years ago. “They are very loyal, and are very good family dogs.”

Saving Shepherds of MN is grounded in love, dedication, and determination in the rescue of German Shepherds and Shepherd mixes. They are committed to “fully vetting” dogs before adoption. A large portion of donations go directly to veterinary care, and the group works to find helpful avenues for any behavioral challenges a dog may have.

VOLUNTEER COMMITMENT: 

Volunteers are needed to transport animals to foster homes. There is also a need for more foster families; applications are available online.

BY THE NUMBERS: 

In 2016, 117 dogs were adopted, and in 2017, 142 were adopted.

IN ACTION: 

In September, the group hosts an annual Rally for Rescue at Hansen Kennels in Scandia, Minn. It is their largest fundraising event and includes social time for dogs and their owners to get to know each other, demonstrations in agility and search and rescue, silent auction and food.

Periodically, the group will organize a fundraising event, such as a grocery bagging day at Cub Foods, to raise money for an individual dog that needs extensive and costly veterinary care.

HOW TO HELP: 

The organization’s website offers a variety of ways to support their work. Donations are welcome via PayPal and Amazon Smile, to help with the costs of food and veterinary care. There is also an option to sponsor a specific dog.

TWO ALUMS. Behr, 7, and Bailey, 2, are Shepherds owned by Cate Kautz, of the Twin Cities. “We got Bailey as a pup when Saving Shepherds rescued a litter,” she said.

“Behr is rather famous. He was their first placement as a new rescue. He came from a terrible situation (abandoned in an empty house for months, only to be sentenced to die when found because some[one] thought he was aggressive). Saving Shepherds pulled him, posted a photo which I saw. Immediately, I was in love. So, here we are, going on three years with him, and he’s a wonderful boy.”

Kautz continues to volunteer for Saving Shepherds, often doing home visits. “Great, great group!”

“Juno was part of the J Crew we took in from the Humane Society.” said Lisa Veit. “They were a breeder surrender due to her having unfit living conditions and over 60 dogs on her property.  The Humane Society deemed them all aggressive and did not treat them, so we took them with no medical care whatsoever. Juno was diagnosed with canine resporatory coronacirus, bordetella bronchieseptica, mycoplasma cynos. Juno was malnourished and spent many weeks at the vet office getting well. He was so shy when we took him we had to carry him out to the kennel; he pancaked to the ground if anyone tried to touch him, but he was NEVER aggressive. Sweetest dog!”

Holly Galbus is a freelance writer based in Rochester.