The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) reports that more than 7.6 million domestic animals enter shelters each year in the United States. Sadly, nearly 3 million of those animals will never leave. Your decision to adopt a Maltipoo from a rescue is a big step toward ensuring that one special animal leaves a shelter alive. For that animal, you are the hero!
If you are considering getting a Maltipoo, you’ll want to check out the incredible book “The Complete Guide to Maltipoos”. It’s written in an easy-to-understand way but still has the expert knowledge to help any new owner successfully raise their Maltipoo from puppy to old-age. It’s widely available, so pick up a copy if you see one, here is the link to grab one on Amazon, or you can download the audiobook version here.
Adopt a Maltipoo
Bringing any pet into a family is considered an “adoption” by definition. Rescuing a pet from a shelter is taking that adoption process to a higher level. You are actively saving a life. Rescued animals seem especially grateful to the person who saves them and provides them with the chance of a good life!
The United States Humane Society estimates that 25% of dogs in shelters are purebred. It may be anticipated that Maltipoos are among the high number of shelter dogs available for adoption. The APPA census indicates that approximately 30% of all households in the US own at least one dog. Considering the number of households in America, that percentage represents 70-80 million dogs! Nearly 30% of those dogs were rescued from shelters.
(This information comes from Petfinder.com.)
Of the dogs in shelters, about 25% are relinquished by their owners. The reason for giving up a dog varies. The Humane Society reports that 29% of people who bring their dog to a shelter for rehoming do so because their place of residence does not permit animals. Divorce, death, and illness account for 30% (10% each) for relinquishing a dog, and behavior problems account for 10% of the reasons specified. Financial issues and lack of time is given about 10% of the time for wishing to rehome a pet. Shelter dogs come in every breed (and every mix thereof), size, shape, color, coat, gender, and age.
Shelters and rescue groups offer Maltipoo adoptions in every state. The advantages of selecting a Maltipoo for adoption are considerable. Assuming you select a creditable shelter, you can be assured the following:
- Maltipoo puppies rescued are fully examined for health, vaccinated, treated for parasites, and spayed or neutered
- A Maltipoo for adoption is usually fostered for a testing or quarantine period, and temperaments are assessed
- Many Maltipoo rescues are housetrained
- By applying for a Maltipoo rescue, you may select age, location, and gender of the desired dog for adoption
- Most Maltipoo rescues are given microchips before they are rehomed
- Rescuing a Maltipoo puppy for adoption is considerably less expensive than buying a puppy from a breeder
Shop or Adopt
Regardless of where you choose to find your new puppy, you can bet the addition to the family will change your life. Petfinder.com, one of the largest pet rescue placement organizations in the country, provides a comprehensive checklist for determining the suitability of adoption and considerations before adding a four-legged family member. Remember: dogs are not disposable; when you choose a Maltipoo for adoption you are making a commitment to that animal FOR LIFE!
Petfinder poses questions for potential Maltipoo adoptions such as housing requirements, exercise programs, health care, nutrition, expectations, and responsibilities. The clearinghouse provides a listing of Maltipoo rescues (and other breeds) from nearly 14,000 shelters and rescue agencies in North America.
The search engine provided by Petfinder is user friendly and updated daily. By entering the desired location of the pet, the type of animal, breed, gender and age, Petfinder goes to work filtering data from the thousands of entries to locate your perfect Maltipoo for adoption.
Conditions of an Adopted Maltipoo
A Maltipoo rescue may have issues that will require additional patience and work on the part of the new owner. Few rescues come with a life history of the animal. Even the dog’s age is usually just a best guess. Reputable, compassionate shelters work diligently to ensure that the dogs they send to forever homes are just that – forever. They try to assess behavior, temperament, and health conditions, but as with any dog, Maltipoo adoptions do not come with guarantees. New owners must be willing to tolerate some adjustment periods.
A previously owned Maltipoo may have come from a loving home that provided security and protection. That dog may be suffering confusion and no small amount of separation anxiety. He went from a familiar routine and his beloved family to a chaotic shelter and on to yet another strange environment. He may be disoriented at best and scared to death.
A dog that is separated from her family may be equally suspicious and guarded. Many animals traveling with their owners become lost. If there are no microchips or means of identification, they become the wards of animal shelters. Often such dogs roam for long periods of time, and suffer malnutrition or injury. Dogs that are lost or abandoned and brought to shelters are often in desperate need of grooming and may have parasites. Their time in shelters can be longer – even if they are lucky enough to gain the attention of adoptive parents.
One of the saddest and most desperate need cases in rescue organizations are the animals rescued from commercial breeding facilities and from hoarders. These poor dogs are not socialized; many have never experienced a human touch, played with a toy, had a bath, or even touched grass! Maltipoo puppies rescued from such horrendous conditions will require more rehabilitation, but they will become loving, affectionate, loyal companions!
While shelter organizations may not know the conditions a Maltipoo for adoption was surrendered under, the good shelters take great care in determining the physical and temperamental condition of any dog before they are deemed eligible for adoption.
Maltipoo Rescue Groups
Combing the local shelters and online search organizations for your Maltipoo rescue may seem time consuming and labor-intensive. If you are experiencing difficulties, there are other options for locating Maltipoo puppies for adoption. Regardless of the age of the dog you seek, special breed organizations may offer alternatives to shelter adoptions.
Maltipoo and other small dog rescues offer adoption services for rescues. In most cases the dogs are placed in foster homes until forever homes are found. The foster parents provide shelter, food, medical care, grooming, and rehabilitation for rescues. It is a wonderful service for both the animal and prospective adoptive families. Foster care gives the dog a chance to adjust to a home situation and the foster parents have the opportunity to carefully screen the dog and determine personality, possible phobias, behavior issues and health status.
Creditable breed rescue groups require an application for adoption including references. In many cases, a home visit from an agency representative is also a requirement for adoption.
A few Maltipoo and other hybrid Poodle rescue organizations online are the following:
Maltipoos at Pet Fairs
Many local humane societies and rescue organizations partner with retailers for regularly scheduled pet fairs. The agencies transport animals for adoption to high traffic stores. Interested pet parents have the opportunity to see the dogs (and cats) who are seeking forever homes.
PetSmart is one such retailer with a giant commitment to saving homeless dogs and cats by sponsoring community adoption fairs. The events are scheduled at specific store locations on weekends throughout the year. PetSmart’s web site provides a list of adoption fairs, times and participating partners.
Other retailers and community organizations offer adoption fairs. Check with your local community listings, veterinarian clinics, groomers, and animal training agencies for more information about events in your area.
Adopting a Maltipoo is a wonderful way to obtain a great pet and save a life. You not only give your Maltipoo rescue a second chance at a good home, but most associated adoption fees enable rescue organizations to continue their good work by providing much needed operating funds. You contribute to making a better life for your rescued Maltipoo and for the dozens of other dogs and cats waiting for forever homes. It is a win/win proposition!
