#102 in United States, #11 in California, #1 in Sacramento
#4 in german Shepherd
Service areas:
We partner with 24 animal control agencies, seven rescues, and several veterinarians who reach out for placement throughout Northern and Central California, supporting at-risk German Shepherd Dogs. We limit our adoptions to Northern California based on volunteer resources. We are generally focused on the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Marin, Monterey, Napa, Placer, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, and Yolo, and, on a limited basis, the Ft. Bragg area of Mendocino County and the Lake Tahoe region of Washoe County, NV.
"Teddy and I found each other 5 1/2 years ago, through the help of ShepHeroes, and he is truly my heart. I honestly can’t imagine my life without him in it."
— ann b.
Adoptee
"Shep Heroes goes above and beyond to save GSDs, responsive, adaptable, super caring, finds a way to help a dog even when stretched to the limit. great group to work with, so proud of the team!"
— ginny h.
Volunteer / foster
"We’ve adopted 2 beautiful dogs from Shepheros and they are both so came well adjusted, trained, all shots/surgeries as part of our adoption process and we are fully supported with anything we need from them! Such a fun group too!"
— michelle m.
Adoptee
"They rescued my sweet boy and then he rescued us."
— cecilia v.
Adoptee
"The founder is so committed to providing quality care to her rescues. I’ve been impressed with the number of medical foster dogs the group has saved for a small organization."
— christine w.
Adoptee, Supporter, Fan
"Hello. We have adopted 2 German Shepherds with ShepHero’s! Our dogs are 2 years old and 9 months old. We have been so happy with our process with the rescue that I became a foster with them as well. I love coming to the events and bringing our pups. I love if I wear a ShepHero’s shirt out around town I have other fellow adoptee’s come up to me and tell me about their journey and share photos of their pups."
— allie g.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster
"We foster failed and adopted a dog from shepheroes who was very well behaved and also had a great temperament. The people who volunteer for this dog rescue take a lot of care with their rescue dogs, and treat them like their own. They analyze each potential doggy’s personalities before rescuing them to make sure they are sound dogs, and will even rescue dogs with medical problems. We had such a great experience that we still foster for them!"
— jen c.
Adoptee
"Amazing work with German Shepard!"
— teri o.
Fan
"As a long-time fan, supporter, volunteer, foster mama and adopter of ShepHeroes dog rescue, I can confidently attest to the incredible work they do for shepherds and shepherd mixes in need. The dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment to providing a safe haven for abandoned and neglected dogs that flood our animal shelters throughout Northern California is truly remarkable. As a volunteer foster mom for ShepHeroes, I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the positive impact the organization has made in the lives of countless dogs. The volunteers at ShepHeroes go above and beyond to ensure that each dog receives the love, care, and medical attention they need to thrive. Foster homes provide a nurturing environment, allowing the dogs to heal both physically and emotionally. Providing a safe space, time to decompress, heal, and trust again is essential to the transformation of these dogs. It is heartwarming to watch their personalities shine through with playful joy, kisses, and silly shenanigans. Each dog's journey is unique, but the love and care they receive from ShepHeroes volunteers make all the difference. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this amazing organization and will continue to say yes every time to watch each dog blossom under the care of ShepHeroes."
— jackie t.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
"Excellent rescue group!!"
— andrea c.
Adoptee
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.
You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?
You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
Does your dog display reactivity to other pets or people? Maybe they’re a new rescue pup and are still settling into your home. Or they were sick growing up, so you missed their critical socialization period. Possibly they’ve had a bad experience after being raised as a normal puppy.
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
Looking for a space to play with your dog no matter what the weather’s like outside? Look no further than our list of the best indoor dog parks in the United States! These climate-controlled spaces are growing in popularity as pet ownership increases throughout the country. As a bonus, many of them also offer dog training, boarding, grooming, or daycare services on the premises.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks to plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.
Discover the German Shepherd Dog, a breed celebrated for its intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. Known for its impressive size and smooth, graceful movements, German Shepherds excel in various roles, including as guide, therapy, bomb detection, and police dogs, while being a devoted family companion.
Discover the Labrador Retriever, a breed celebrated for its playful nature, affectionate temperament, and trainability. Labradors are known for their friendly demeanor and adaptability, making them perfect family companions and versatile working dogs. As one of the most popular types of retrievers, Labs are ideal companions for various lifestyles and are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as an excellent breed for families.
Discover the Golden Retriever, a popular breed celebrated for its affectionate, playful, and trainable nature. Considered a large dog, Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland for hunting and retrieving game beginning in the 1860s. Today, they're recognized by the Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club (AKC) as one of the most beloved companion dog breeds.
Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a distinct breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Often confused with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a separate breed of British origin, the American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff) is considered a medium-sized dog. While both breeds share some similarities, the AmStaff is generally larger and has been developed as a distinct breed in the United States.
Discover the Australian Shepherd, an AKC breed celebrated for its trainable, playful, and affectionate nature. Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd is actually a native breed to the United States, originally developed to breed on farms and ranches. Considered a medium dog, Australian Shepherds were bred for herding beginning in the 1950s. As one of the high-energy breeds, Aussies are known for their boundless energy and need for regular exercise, including aerobic exercise.