Before we got Rodrigo, we were looking into adoption options, which believe it or not at the time was limited due to COVID and everyone resorting to getting a dog (not that I'm complaining). One thing we did notice, however, is that we did not know where to start, so I thought it would be useful to put together a summary of what things you should consider, alongside dog sanctuary options.
Understanding Dog Adoption in Malta
First things first, you need to understand that dog adoption is a serious commitment that should be evaluated thoroughly before committing. Dogs that are up for adoption would have already had a tough time by being given up by their loving families in the first place, or even worse, by being mistreated or abused. Adopting a dog means giving a second or even a third chance to a furry soul in need of love and a stable home.
The Process of Dog Adoption
Assessment: Before starting your dog adoption journey, you need to assess your lifestyle, living conditions, and preferences. Consider whether you're really ready for the commitment that comes with adopting a dog, including time, finances, and emotional investment. You can read about this in more detail here.
Visiting the Sanctuaries: Malta has a few reputable dog sanctuaries and shelters dedicated to the welfare of abandoned, stray, and surrendered dogs. These sanctuaries not only provide shelter but also work tirelessly to find forever homes for these animals. It would probably help to visit all these sanctuaries before adopting.
Get your best friend for life: Once you've found your match and gone through the adoption process, Settling in might be a little tough at first, but you can be assured that you'll have a four legged best friend for the years ahead.
Dog Adoption Options in Malta
Malta has several shelters and Facebook groups dedicated to dog adoption:
MSPCA (Malta Society for the Protection and Care of Animals): MSPCA has some strict rules in place when it comes to providing shelter for dogs, such as quarantining new intakes, daily cleaning, and maintaining a consistent food plan. Visits are only allowed by appointment, and an adoption interview form will need to be filled in so that they can look at matching you and your lifestyle with the right dog. Adopted dogs come neutered, micro-chipped and vet checked.
Association for Abandoned Animals (AAA): AAA homes 80 dogs that are currently looking for a home. Most of these dogs are large-sized, as people are generally looking for smaller dogs. The adoption process depends on the family, whether they have other animals in their house, young kids, are renting an accommodation etc. The adoption process can be faster or slower.
Island Sanctuary: The Island sanctuary is dedicated to senior dogs and dogs that stand little chance of being adopted. Most of them come from Animal Welfare, and they strive to give them a chance to enjoy the rest of their lives, even if no one adopts them.
Noah’s Ark Dog Sanctuary: Noah's Ark Dog Sanctuary in Malta was inspired by the rescue of a neglected dog named Lady, leading Fabio Ciappara to establish the sanctuary with the help of local animal lovers. The sanctuary, operational since 2004, focuses on rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming abandoned dogs, offering them medical care and a chance at a happier life. With the capacity to accommodate over 100 dogs, Noah's Ark relies on donations and volunteers to support their mission of helping Malta's stray dog population. ["]
Animal Welfare: Animal welfare in Malta is tasked with protecting animal rights and ensuring their well-being across Malta and Gozo. The office also advocates for legislative changes, like amending the Animal Welfare Act to forbid pet ownership by abusers and implementing initiatives for the humane treatment of animals. Animal welfare also deals with cases of dog abuse, abandonment, or mistreatment. They also have a dedicated website for dog adoption which provides a really useful start to the process.
Adopt a Sicilian Stray Facebook Group - The "Adopt a Sicilian Stray" Facebook Group, led by Jeff and Theresa, focuses on rescuing stray dogs from Sicily, rehabilitating them, and finding them new homes in Malta, the UK, and some parts of Europe. Since 2014, they have rescued nearly 800 dogs, aiming to alleviate the significant stray dog problem in Sicily. The couple collaborates with Virtu Ferries for the transportation of these dogs, emphasizing the comfort and care of the animals during their journey to new homes. ["]
Rescued is my Favorite Breed Facebook Group - The "Rescued is my Favorite Breed" Facebook Group, led by Lulu Arpa, focuses on rescuing stray or abandoned dogs found by the public in Malta. They provide these dogs with foster homes until forever homes can be found. The group prioritizes dogs that have undergone treatment, surgeries, or are particularly vulnerable due to age, illness, or trauma, over healthier dogs. This community effort involves volunteers and the general public to raise awareness about animal welfare and facilitate the adoption process. ["]
The General Adoption Process
Assessment and Matching: Most shelters conduct assessments to ensure a good match between the dog and the adoptive family, focusing on the dog's medical history, behavior, and needs.
Visit and Interact: Potential adopters can visit shelters to meet dogs, interact with them to gauge compatibility and establish a connection.
Adoption Interview: Shelters may require an adoption interview to better understand the adopter's environment and lifestyle, ensuring it aligns with the needs of the dog.
Trial Periods: Some shelters offer trial periods where the dog can stay with the potential adopters for a short time to ensure it's a good fit before finalizing the adoption.
Post Adoption Support: Some shelters offer post-adoption support, providing advice and assistance as the dog adjusts to its new home. This support can be invaluable for first-time dog owners or when introducing a pet into a complex household.
Pros of Adopting vs Buying Your Dog
Purebred dogs can be highly unregulated, which means that it can result in alot of vet visits and potentially heartbreak when certain diseases eventually come out around the one-year mark or earlier.
By adopting rather than buying a dog, you will be indirectly fighting against the horrible conditions at puppy mills, where dogs are kept in cages with the sole purpose of breeding. You can read more about our experience with his here.
You would be giving an innocent furry soul another chance to love and adventures for the rest of their life, rather than being stuck in a cage in the hopes of one day being adopted.
Dogs that are up for adoption are generally mixed breeds. Getting a mixed breed dog means that you will both be getting a unique-looking dog, but also one that tends to be genetically stronger and less prone to diseases.
Volunteering and Donations
If you are not ready to adopt or put in the effort that it takes to train an adopted dog, that's completely fine. You can still help out shelters by volunteering for things like single/group dog walks, kennel cleaning, events organizing, etc. If you don't want to be so involved but would still like to help, you can donate money or dog-related items, such as old clothes, food, dog beds, etc. Every little thing, from donating to volunteering, helps support these operations and contribute towards the care of the less fortunate dogs.
Final Thoughts
Adopting a dog might take some time, but it is a rewarding experience that will bring you unconditional love, joy, and companionship. As Karen Davison once said, “Saving one dog will not change the world, but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever.” Karen Davison. So let's start making a difference, one dog at a time.
We love to hear stories of dog adoptions that remind us that happy endings for abandoned dogs are possible. Leave us a comment below if you have any stories that you'd like to share with us. 🦮
If you'd like to help out a shelter, you can also keep a look out for such organized meetups on the WagsUnite app, or create one yourself and share it with your friends to join in making the world a better place for dogs. ❤️
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