As an avid petfinder stalker, I thought what a great way to network dogs, but now one of the rescues who had e-mailed out info on Dieks is asking for a bio and some pics so they can place him on petfinder. I'm wary.
I don't want this guy going to the average, alpo feeding, may or may not train, first time dog owner. Especially after he tested well for S&R and after being told that his potential is much greater than what he is now (with a good trainer and some age he will be really awesome)
Perhaps I'm coming off judgemental, or acting like my dog deserves a superior home than other dog in need, but I'll wait for that perfect one. Do working homes check petfinder? Ultimately that is where I want him, or at least a pet home where work is a part of a daily routine. Any little known working dog rescue networks I should look into or should I let him go on petfinder and list all of my crazy criteria?

I found a nice Mal on PetFinder once as a courtesy post. I contacted the owner and she made no secret as to her exact criteria required of the potential adopter.

The dog I found was a relative of Toni and Caterina, and I passed muster, but at the last minute she decided to keep him.

As long as YOU get to pick the adopter, and the final decision is YOURS, I don't see why you can't put him on PetFinder.

Also, I will PM you a website for just GSD that you might want to place him on as well.

--Kel

I have been in rescue for over 10 years and Petfinder is great! Like with any thing else you have to weed out the crazies but it gives you such a wide audience to get the word out about your rescues. It has helped me place the dogs that I do want that special home for. Especially dogs that needed a job. I am a trainer and my dogs all work. I check petfinder and thats how I got my cattle dog.

Some words of advice. Post as much information about the dog as possible from his weight and height to his temperament. Also where you are wiling to place him. I get calls from all over the US. Be specific about what type of home you are looking for. This way it will decrease the amount of people that are not a good match and you dont have to send 20 emails that tells 20 different people what the dog weighs.

I even post my rescues on craigslist. Again you have to weed through the crazies but there are great home that are looking for dogs on the site.

There are other groups that focus on Agility prospects ect. Let me know if you want any of those.

Good Luck

Your ACD looks a LOT like mine, mine is a Petfinder !
Mine has a few less speckles.
Is yours from the Northwest?

Mine is from Fresno CA. I think that he is part McNab from the info I got. His breeder was not a great guy and the people he sold him to sucked. I got him at 8 months when they took him to the Fresno county shelter.

I have used Petfinder with much success. Having fostered some dogs myself I understand your concerns. I would list him as stated by Erika, and make sure you list a working home needed and describe what a working home is. Have the sight list him as a courtesy post so you get toscreen the potentail adopters. If he is purebred you might also list him on that specific breed rescue and again, list for a working home.

We found Jethro and then Skipper through Petfinder. They were at a nearby municipal shelter. We visited the day Jethro was posted (which was the day he came into the shelter) and then one of the shelter workers recommended we take Skipper too because Skipper and Jethro had already made friends on that first day.

The farm/rescue I used to manage used pet finder to post all of our adoptable animals. Worked well.

If you ask the place that wants his info to post your email, not theirs, you'll still be able to arrange his home, just as Kelly was talking about.