Rescue Information
Thank you for your interest in Great Pyrenees Club of America’s Rescue program, we are a small all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization devoted to placing orphaned and displaced Great Pyrenees in suitable, loving homes. Every dog adopted is current on all vaccinations and has been spayed or neutered. It is strongly recommended that the dog be micro-chipped. Dogs in states where Heartworm, Ehrlichia, Lyme Disease and Valley Fever are a problem should be tested.
Please let me tell you a little bit about our adoption process. Potential adopters are welcome to complete the Adoption Application, or contact a local rescue representative. After a family/individual has submitted an Application to Great Pyrenees Rescue and a preliminary screening process has occurred, arrangements will be made for a Rescue volunteer to visit the potential adoptive home to ensure that the dog is going to a permanent, loving home where all members of the family want a dog of this particular breed, and are willing to provide a suitable environment. Further, we could not possibly suggest potential adoption matches without first knowing your family and situation. The right dog may be available immediately, or it may take several weeks or months until the pyrfect match is made. An improper placement, or one in which all the details are not known, can end tragically – usually for the dog.
When you take ownership of your rescue dog, you will be required to sign an Adoption Contract detailing the level of care that is required for all Great Pyrenees Rescue Dogs. The Adoption Contract includes the requirement that if, for any reason, you are ever unable to keep the Rescue dog you are adopting, the Rescue dog must be returned to the care of the local rescue group that you adopted from. (Thus, if an adoption does not work out, the dog must be returned, as our adoption contract states.) The Adoption Contract also recommends adopters to enroll in (group) obedience instruction, at a training facility of their choice, after adoption. All responsible dog people, regardless of what breed they ‘fancy,’ will tell you that basic obedience training is crucial for developing a happy relationship with your pet, and it is especially important for a livestock guardian dog. Training helps the dog bond with the new owner and will increase communication between the two so there are fewer misunderstandings. To help defray our veterinary expenses, there is an adoption fee for all adopted rescue dogs. We provide follow-up counseling to make sure the dog settles into the pack (family) well and remain friends with our adopters for years to come…
A fenced area is required, though exceptions may be made if a rescue organization chooses to do so. Young children cannot effectively manage an adult Great Pyrenees on lead. A dog friendly home includes a fenced yard. Fences make good neighbors and keep dogs safe.
Homes with another canine must have either a fenced yard or an appropriate style/size kennel.
We do not recommend dog containment systems such as invisible fences, on our rescue dogs, “Because electronic ‘Invisible’ fencing does not reliably contain this type of dog (nor does it prevent what a Guardian Breed could view as ‘intruders’), we cannot place a Rescue Dog in that home situation.”
While most local Pyr Rescue groups will not ship a dog out of their area to an unknown destination, many groups network together to transport dogs in need of re-homing to a new-home location in a neighboring state or region. You will then be expected to travel to the dog’s foster-home to meet it prior to adoption unless the applicant cannot physically travel to where the rescue dog is located to meet/adopt a rescue dog. Applicant must pay shipping costs and shipping is at the discretion of the Rescue Group.
You may also wish to purchase the following books:
The Complete Great Pyrenees, by Paul Strang and James Giffin
Great Pyrenees: A Complete Pet Owner’s Manual, by Joan Hustace Walker
A New Owner’s Guide to Great Pyrenees, by Kim Lasley
Secondhand Dog, by Carole Benjamins
Please understand we are all volunteers, also with the responsibilities of a family, home, career, and foster dogs. We do not operate a shelter facility — we rescue in the privacy of our homes and in licensed boarding facilities.
To complete an on-line application please visit our Adoption Application page. Your application will be sent on to the local rescue group in your area that will be in touch with you.
We are excited to get to know you, and to get another Great Pyrenees into a safe and loving home. Thank you again for your interest and we look forward to receiving your Adoption Application.
Have a PYRfect day!
