SEGSP Rescue FAQs
Questions about Adoption Process and Policy

1. I’m interested in adopting. How do I find more information?
   1. Please see our adoption process here.​
2. I live outside the Southeast states. Can I still adopt from SE GSP Rescue?
   1. No. We only adopt to the seven states that we have volunteer coverage for (AL, MS, NC, SC, GA, TN, FL). We have a sister network of rescue organizations. Please support your local rescue. You can find your local rescue at https://www.gspca.org/programs/rescue/
3. We have children under six, are there exceptions to the no fostering or adopting for families with children under six rule?
   1. No. This is a safety rule. Rescue dogs have history and breeding that we are not fully aware of and small children are unpredictable. More bite incidents occur with small children than with any other group of people. It is for the safety of both the dog and the child that we do not adopt to families with children under six nor do we allow them to foster. We would be glad for you to consider rescue when your children are older.
4. I’ve filled out the adoption application. Do I need to fill it out again for each dog that interests me?
   1. No. As long as your housing or family situation has not changed, your application is good for life.
5. I submitted an application. Was I approved?
   1. We do not approve or deny adoption applications. If you received confirmation that your application went through via email (please be patient, this is a process that has to be done manually by volunteers and can take up to a week when we are busy), we have your application. The only reasons you would not be allowed to adopt is if you have children under six residing in your home, if you are outside our region, or if you have a history of animal abuse or neglect.
6. I did not get confirmation that my adoption application went through. Do I need to fill it out again?
   1. If it has been longer than two weeks, yes, you likely need to fill out another application. We recommend using a computer rather than a cell phone as there is a known issue with mobile browsers and our website that we cannot fix where it says that the application was submitted, but we never receive it. We also recommend taking screenshots of your application.
7. What are your adoption fees?
   1. Our adoption fees vary. When a dog becomes available, their adoption fee will be listed with their biography on our website.
8. Do you transport dogs?
   1. We do assist with transportation for adoptions within our region, but we do expect that adoptive families will be willing to drive a substantial portion of the drive to bring home their new family member. We do not do commercial transportation for adopted dogs.

Questions about Available Dogs

1. I would like an update on a specific dog. How do I find that?
   1. All updates are provided on social media. When a dog is available for adoption, they are listed on our website. Until then, they are still undergoing temperament evaluation and vetting.
2. Can you help me find a specific dog that suits my family’s need?
   1. No. We are all volunteers with lives and jobs in addition to the work we do for rescue. It is the responsibility of the interested family to watch the website and contact foster families for any dogs that might be a good fit.
3. Can I be put on a waiting list for puppies?
   1. No. All of our dogs are adopted out to the family who is the best fit for the dog who expresses interest with the foster family directly after having filled out an application. We do not keep waiting lists of any kind. It is not common for us to bring in puppies and when we do, they are in high demand.
4. I was interested in a specific dog and I’m wondering if they have been adopted.
   1. If a dog was listed for adoption and is no longer listed, they have been adopted.
5. I see a dog on a courtesy page that I am interested in. What is the difference between the courtesy page and the dogs available for adoption on the other pages?
   1. Courtesy posted dogs are not available through Southeast GSP Rescue. These are dogs being rehomed by their owner or safe where they are and being offered for adoption by the agency they are currently with. We do not vouch for the health or temperament of any dog that is on our courtesy page.
6.  I have questions about a dog I saw on social media. How can I contact the foster family?
   1. When the dog is available for adoption, they will be listed on our website. Until then, we ask that you respect our foster families as they work to vet and socialize the dog in their care.
7. I have very specific desires for a GSP (e.g. markings, size, sex). Can you alert me if you get a dog that matches my preferences?
   1. No. We simply do not have the staff for this. We appreciate that you have specific taste. If you are looking for a rescue dog, it may be a long period of time before we have a dog that suits your preferences and there are no guarantees that you will be the best fit for that dog. If you should choose to utilize a breeder, we ask that you choose a responsible breeder. Responsible breeders will health test their dogs and sell them on a contract that specifies that they will take the dog back at any point in their life should the family not be able to keep them.

Questions about Lost/Found GSPs

1. I’ve found a GSP. What do I do?
   1. Please have the GSP scanned for a microchip, post on your local lost and found social media pages and notify the local shelter as well as nearby veterinary clinics. If you send us a picture, a description of when and where the dog was found, and how the dog’s owner can reach you, we can also post the dog as found. We cannot take possession of a dog without permission from the dog’s owner. You can contact the state coordinator in your state to discuss your options if you cannot locate the dog’s family.
2. I’ve been made aware of a GSP in a shelter. Can you help?
   1. Please send the information to the state coordinator for the state in which the dog is located. It is preferred that you send the actual shelter listing including the animal’s ID number and pictures if possible. Social media posts are sometimes not visible to our staff.
3. I’ve lost my GSP. What do I do?
   1. Please send photos as well as a description of where they were lost and any specific instructions (e.g. do not chase) with contact information for anyone who may have information to [email protected].

Additional FAQs

1. I would like to surrender a GSP. What do I do?
   1. Please contact the state coordinator for the state in which you reside to discuss your options. This process is not quick and we may not have space, but the state coordinator is the only one who can tell you for sure. The process will be quicker if you send a full description of the dog (e.g. age, sex, vetting information, temperament) as well as photos on initial contact.
2. I’m interested in helping out. What can I do?
   1. Our greatest need is for foster families. Fostering is not for everyone. It is hard work. It requires an application and a home visit and we do ask that families be open to any GSP in need rather than one that suits their preferences if they are simply looking to adopt. If fostering is not for you, there is a different application for other opportunities (e.g. transport, visiting shelters, social media, fundraising, etc.). If you are interested in donating, we welcome donations, but we do not earmark them for a specific dog. All donations are used to support all dogs in rescue. It is rare that we can accept in-kind donations, but if you are considering an in-kind donation, please contact the state coordinator in the state in which you reside.
3. Where are you located?
   1. We do not have a physical location. We operate out of foster homes in the seven southeast states that our rescue covers (AL, MS, NC, SC, TN, GA, FL)
4. I am an SEGSP Rescue adopter and I have an alumni update. Where do I send it?
   1. Great! We love alumni updates. Please send to [email protected]
5. Do you accept English Pointers, Viszlas, Weimaraners, Wirehaired Pointers, or GSP Mixes?
   1. We do not intentionally bring in mixes. There are wonderful breed specific and all breed rescues that cater to these breeds of dogs. Our adopters are looking for GSPs and it can be very hard for us to adopt out a non-GSP.
6. I don’t like to do business via email. Is there a phone number I can call?
   1. There is not. Although our staff may occasionally correspond via text or phone using their personal devices, we do not have an official phone number and we do not give out their phone numbers. We work primarily via email and all of our correspondence starts with email. If you are looking to adopt, you will be required to fill out the online application and sign your contract electronically.