German Shorthaired Pointer
Rescue of the SF Bay Area
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Pure breed rescue began when compassionate people realized what happened to greyhounds when they were no longer able to race. Greyhound rescue groups all over the country began an effort to save retired and rejected greyhounds from being put to death. Other people began wondering what happened to other purebred dogs when they were abandoned in animal shelters.
In the early 1990’s the American Kennel Club sent out a letter to breed clubs urging them to become active in “saving their own”. The word went out to club members, in the hopesome of them would agree to accept responsibility. Laura Hansen, of the German Shorthaired Rescue of the SF Bay Area who belonged to German Shorthaired Pointer Club of California, decided to do her part, expecting to see only a few shelter dogs per year. When she began taking dogs from shelters in 1991, she received a phone call from Eddyce Mueller of Palo Alto. Eddyce and her husband, Lou, had been rescuing Shorthairs since 1984, when they adopted their first dog from the Humane Society of the Santa Clara Valley. The Muellers and Laura began working together, and over the years, several other individuals joined the group. Julie Duarte rescued in Sacramento Area, Kathleen Rummel in Redding, Jane Garassino in Napa, Freda McCrea in the Santa Clara Valley, and for a time, the Tille family in Fresno. There were a few other individuals who helped these people. However, over time, volunteers were lost as they burned out.
Our group is comprised of people who adopted the Shorthairs from Laura Hansen, became familiar with the breed, and wanted to be sure the abandoned Shorthairs in the San Francisco Bay Area would have an opportunity to find good homes with people familiar with the breed. All of the group has owned and fostered Shorthairs and is committed to helping needy dogs.