Over 150 malamutes seized in Montana (fall 2011), including several pregnant moms and puppies. Please follow their story, and help where you can.
The Alaskan Malamute Assistance League, our national rescue organization, is following this tragic event and coordinating local rescues & supporting members of the great malamute family. Please see this site for information on where your donations are most needed. Please be sure that any donations go directly to the local humane society (link on the AMAL site), or to AMAL (who will help coordinate care, fostering and placement of the dogs once they can be released).
Please give these malamutes all the support you can! and please, support only reputable rescues and responsible breeders.
Please give these malamutes all the support you can! and please, support only reputable rescues and responsible breeders.
Rescue Dogs - a Wonderful Opportunity!!
Kingston, a Grand Old Man
Most rescue dogs are wonderful companions just looking for their "forever home." Some just found themselves in rescue through the ups and downs of their owner's lives, through no fault of their own. Others found themselves unwanted for ... well, just being a malamute! adopted by a family unprepared, or unwilling, to deal with their needs, and a little guidance and patience can go a long way. A few need that special person to help bring out the best in them, who will understand the quirks they came with, whether by birth or circumstance.
But, whatever the situation - all have something to offer! and you should ask yourself if your future companion might not be waiting for you in rescue.
Rescue gets everything from young puppies (though more frequently they come in as young adolescents) to dignified elders. A rescue dog is often the perfect choice for people as you don't have to go through the trials of puppyhood. This is an especially good option if you simply do not have the time to commit to raising a puppy with the training, socialization and time necessary to transform that rambunctious puppy into an agreeable companion. Rescues have also frequently been fostered by, or at least worked with, the rescue organization volunteers. This gives you a very valuable opportunity to know a great deal about the quirks, habits (good and bad), health issues, and personality of a particular dog before entering into an adoption.
Rescue dogs have also - as a rule - been thoroughly checked by a veterinarian, treated for health issues, and spayed/neutered.
Young adolescent dogs frequently need some training - as do all youngsters! But the rewards are great, and the training time usually less than responsibly raising a young pup through all the puppy stages, adolescence and into adulthood. Older dogs often come in already with the "basics", and adopting a middle-aged or older dog is often the perfect choice for people who want to enjoy life with a malamute but aren't quite equipped or interested in going through the preliminary training. Adopting an older dog is often perfect for working families who are gone for good chunks of the day.
This is not to say that a dog will come "perfect" - any malamute, indeed, any dog, needs ongoing training and time, whether adopted as a pup from a breeder or as an older dog from rescue. But raising a dog who has had a start in life already can be ideal for many families.
And do not ignore the tremendous rewards of adopting a "senior citizen". Many of these dogs are content to simply be with you, and are very easy to live with. They also have a certain dignity that only comes with age, and a presence to them that cannot be found anywhere else. I have fostered or "puppysat" for a few of these elders, including the handsome Kingston pictured here, and it is an extraordinary experience. These guys have a lot to offer anyone! and are an especially good choice for people who might not be able to handle a more rambunctious and energetic youngster.
And, when you go to a rescue site, just look at those faces - all they want and need is some love, understanding and guidance. Sometimes a puppy is the best choice for a prospective malamute owner, but not always, and we always encourage those who inquire to at least consider a rescue first. We are happy to talk to you about these options.
Even if you do not adopt a rescue, please do support these deserving groups - and support all of their efforts to reach out to the very deserving dogs they work with. And if you get a pup from a breeder, be sure they support rescue as well.
But, whatever the situation - all have something to offer! and you should ask yourself if your future companion might not be waiting for you in rescue.
Rescue gets everything from young puppies (though more frequently they come in as young adolescents) to dignified elders. A rescue dog is often the perfect choice for people as you don't have to go through the trials of puppyhood. This is an especially good option if you simply do not have the time to commit to raising a puppy with the training, socialization and time necessary to transform that rambunctious puppy into an agreeable companion. Rescues have also frequently been fostered by, or at least worked with, the rescue organization volunteers. This gives you a very valuable opportunity to know a great deal about the quirks, habits (good and bad), health issues, and personality of a particular dog before entering into an adoption.
Rescue dogs have also - as a rule - been thoroughly checked by a veterinarian, treated for health issues, and spayed/neutered.
Young adolescent dogs frequently need some training - as do all youngsters! But the rewards are great, and the training time usually less than responsibly raising a young pup through all the puppy stages, adolescence and into adulthood. Older dogs often come in already with the "basics", and adopting a middle-aged or older dog is often the perfect choice for people who want to enjoy life with a malamute but aren't quite equipped or interested in going through the preliminary training. Adopting an older dog is often perfect for working families who are gone for good chunks of the day.
This is not to say that a dog will come "perfect" - any malamute, indeed, any dog, needs ongoing training and time, whether adopted as a pup from a breeder or as an older dog from rescue. But raising a dog who has had a start in life already can be ideal for many families.
And do not ignore the tremendous rewards of adopting a "senior citizen". Many of these dogs are content to simply be with you, and are very easy to live with. They also have a certain dignity that only comes with age, and a presence to them that cannot be found anywhere else. I have fostered or "puppysat" for a few of these elders, including the handsome Kingston pictured here, and it is an extraordinary experience. These guys have a lot to offer anyone! and are an especially good choice for people who might not be able to handle a more rambunctious and energetic youngster.
And, when you go to a rescue site, just look at those faces - all they want and need is some love, understanding and guidance. Sometimes a puppy is the best choice for a prospective malamute owner, but not always, and we always encourage those who inquire to at least consider a rescue first. We are happy to talk to you about these options.
Even if you do not adopt a rescue, please do support these deserving groups - and support all of their efforts to reach out to the very deserving dogs they work with. And if you get a pup from a breeder, be sure they support rescue as well.
Some Malamute Rescue Organizations:
- Alaskan Malamute Assistance League (AMAL) - the National organization supported by AMCA, our National breed club.
- Washington Alaskan Malamute Adoption League (WAMAL) - our primary local rescue organization
- Cascade Alaskan Malamute Enthusiasts Organization (CAMEO) - a small rescue organization serving southern WA and northern OR