03/08/2025
A MESSAGE FROM YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Please read this in its entirety as it is, and without assumptions.
This year marks our 10th year in operation and it has been an incredible journey that would’ve never been possible without the support of every single one of you! We have had our share of trials and tribulations like all other rescues but we have also had the opportunity to help so many great and well deserving Dobermans find their forever homes.
As a board, we have continued through COVID, medical issues, deployments, and personal losses. We have also witnessed our members do the same; all while giving dogs a chance that otherwise would’ve never had one. Y’all have helped us with hoarding situations, extreme medically needy dogs, and the nonstop influx of dogs needing rescue.
When Tom and I started this rescue 10 years ago, we never imagined there would be such a need, and to be honest, it’s only grown over the years. With a growing need for rescue comes a growing need for help, and our volunteers have more than stepped up over the years.
My day job is a therapist and I educate about burnout and compassion fatigue. The truth is we are all experiencing it at some level. Between the ever growing animal welfare crisis and the decline in donations and adoptions, we are making the decision to restructure. We will be shifting gears from fostering and adoptions to community support and education…at least that is our goal.
What does look like?
We want to help other rescues and private owners with expenses for unexpected medical costs as well as spay and neuters. Additionally, we hope to provide support in emergent situations where temporary boarding may be needed. Lastly, we will continue to network dogs in need of homes.
What does this mean for our dogs? Dogs in foster care will remain in foster care until adopted. Nothing will change. We are NOT shutting down and we are NOT moving dogs from foster homes to transfer out. This also applies to forever fosters. We will continue to provide for their needs as we always have.
What does this mean for approved adopters? It simply means that the dogs currently available are the only ones available. We will not be bringing anymore into rescue unless they are returning dogs that we have already worked with and adopted out. We understand this may be disappointing, but we have great dogs still available. We are happy to connect anyone approved to adopt to other rescues. We will be in talks with our partner rescues throughout the south to “reciprocate” approval across rescues when possible to make the process smoother. Every group has their own rules, so approval is not guaranteed, but we can certainly provide that information.
What does this mean for those who have already adopted? Nothing will change. We are still here to support everyone who has adopted from us. The community page will remain and we ALWAYS want to see allll the pictures!
What does this mean if you need to return a dog? We will network with our approved fosters and adopters to find a placement for your dog. Failing that, we will work with trusted rescue resources to find placement. We still want to be notified if there is ever a need to return a dog. Once a SHDR dog, always a SHDR dog. OUR DOGS MUST STILL COME BACK TO US IF THEY NEED TO BE RETURNED!!! This change in direction does NOT negate or amend anything in your adoption or fostering contracts. Everything is still applicable as it stands.
I will also continue to provide education on pet loss and grief to our community members and followers as it is not talked about enough.
Please understand this decision has not been made lightly or on a whim. The board has spent many hours trying to find any way possible to continue our mission and this is where we have landed. This has been an incredibly difficult decision to make. As the founder, I never thought this would be something we had to do but logically it is the best decision for not only our board, but all of our volunteers and the rescue as a whole.
Please consider still supporting us as donations will still be needed in order to support our new path. Again, we appreciate every single one of you and we are excited to experience this new venture with you! Thank you SO MUCH for an amazing ten years. We hope to keep fighting for these dogs and our communities that love them as we move forward. Once the details for the application process for grants is completed, it will be available on our website along with the form to request networking a dog in need.
We will be releasing merch soon highlighting our new mission to support our endeavors so please look for them!
SHDR BoD
