Char-Wills German Shepherd Rescue asking for help adopting dogs
May 26—NEW RINGGOLD — Char-Wills German Shepherd Rescue has seen an increase in the number of rescues housed at the facility and is in search of caring people to adopt.
"Unfortunately, we are getting more dogs every year," said Diane Buhl, president of the board of directors and founder.
Char-Wills, which completed construction of its facility at 2 E. Railroad Ave. in August 2020, has 15 kennels. Sixteen dogs were housed there as of Friday.
"We're continually getting calls," Buhl said.
In 2022, the shelter took in 402 dogs, an increase from 348 in 2021. As of Friday, the rescue has already taken in 179 in 2023, she said.
Rouge was one of them. Suffering from heartworm, he came in as a stray to the Terrebonne Parish Animal Shelter in Gray, Louisiana.
An organization called Good Flights, a Greater Good Charities program that saves at-risk dogs, flew him to New Jersey. He then went to a shelter in Maryland before being picked up by Char-Wills in York.
"He's very sweet," Buhl said.
Kristen and Patrick Urey, of Cumberland County, liked his personality so much they decided to adopt him.
"He is just very playful," Kristen Urey said.
She said Rouge brings back memories of Colby, their 10-year-old yellow Labrador retriever who died recently.
"There's just been a void," she said.
Specializing in German shepherds, Char-Wills' rescues come from shelters across the U.S., as well as owner-surrendered dogs. The shelter cares for them and places them up for adoption to pre-screened owners who can provide a safe, loving home.
Tucci, 3 years old, is another dog that came in as a stray from Louisiana. A Schuylkill County resident adopted him.
"He's friendly. He's confident, gentle," said Rachel Taras, a volunteer with the shelter and board member.
Most of the dogs that come to the shelter are between 10 months and 6 years old, and on average they stay about two weeks, Buhl said.
Nicholas, a German shepherd who came from Texas, has been at the shelter for about 5 months. The 3-year-old had been hit by a car and only has three legs.
"He's a very smart dog," Buhl said.
She cautioned that German shepherds can be a handful and are not suited for everyone.
"They can be overprotective and need a lot of exercise and training," Buhl said.
Anyone interested in adopting a dog is asked to go to charwillsrescue.com to fill out an application to get approved or make an appointment to visit by calling 570-943-2624
Contact the writer: amarchiano@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6023
