Every year thousands of dogs are dumped in shelters. Some find new loving forever-homes, others are euthanized. Those are the lucky ones. There are still others who find themselves left on the street destined to be hungry, cold and lonely; others are left chained in backyards and forgotten, left to slowly starve to death. This is no life for a breed as nobel as the German Shepherd Dog (or any other breed either).
If you are thinking about adding a dog to your family please consider adopting one from a shelter or rescue organization. Dogs of all shapes, sizes and ages find themselves homeless. Most of them are turned in because their "owners" didn't have time for them; or because they grew too big; or because they were too active... All things that could have been avoided if people took a little time to learn about the GSD before running out and buying one. Shelter and rescue volunteers will work with you to help match you up with the right dog for you and your lifestyle. Below are some links to rescue organizations that deal specifically with German Shepherd Dogs.
German Shepherd Rescue of New England, Inc - Providing rescue and adoption services for German Shepherd Dogs throughout New England .
German Shepherd Dog Rescue of Utah - Works to place loving German Shepherds into permanent homes serving the intermountain west, accepting and placing dogs in Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona and Nevada.
German Shepherd Dog Rescue and Australian Cattle Dog Rescue and Adoption Directory - an online informational resource for parties seeking dog and puppy adoption from a rescue organization or shelter.