Thank you for your interest in adopting an Alaskan Malamute from WAMAL!

Our $500 adoption fee includes spaying or neutering, current immunizations on all dogs, and microchips on some dogs.

We are an all-volunteer organization and our rescues and volunteers are located throughout Washington and Oregon, so please be patient as we work through scheduling challenges. Read the Overview below, and note that until an applicant is approved, we do not mention specific dogs, particularly as there may be another adopter that has already been approved that is interested in the dog you may be interested in.

If you live in a state other than WA or OR, please contact your local rescue. Please understand it is not feasible to adopt a dog to an location outside our service area, as it is difficult to retrieve a dog should an adoption not work out, and that it would be unfair to deprive a dog in your area of a loving home in your area. If you live in ID, MT, UT, WY, or Northern NV, please contact Moonsong Malamute Rescue.

Our Adoption Process

  1. A volunteer will be in touch with you regarding your application. It may take several days before you are contacted. Please contact us at wamal@wamal.com if you don't hear in a week.
  2. If the application meets the criteria for a safe place for a rescue to be successful, we will offer a home visit from one of our volunteers.
  3. When the volunteer assigned to do the home visit sends their report, you will get a message from us.
  4. If you are approved, we will then begin talking dogs and looking for the best match for your lifestyle.
  5. After you are matched to a dog, we will schedule an intro so you can meet the dog.

We require:

References
We reserve the right to ask for a reference from your vet/trainer, or other person we can contact
Exercise requirements
You provide at least 45 minutes of brisk exercise per day. "Fetch" and "outside time in the yard" don't count, and many malamutes don't do well at dog parks
Containment
A malamute-escape-proof yard. Less optimal: a proven way to safely take your dog outside for exercise and potty breaks
Owner/Renter
If you rent, the owner's written approval for this breed and size
Child Supervision
Close supervision when the dog is around young children
Minimum age
You are older than 23
Inside/outside time
The dog is not expected to stay outside 24/7
Financial commitment
Willingness and ability to spend the time and money for training and medical care as needed
Criminal conviction
No legal convictions for any type of abuse

Fill out an Adoption Application

Is the ALASKAN MALAMUTE right for you?

The Alaskan Malamute is what I would consider a 'lifestyle' breed. I have always said that, and what I mean by that is they are a hearty, pack-oriented dog, who need a job, love the outdoors, are highly attuned to pack-hierarchy and need to be stimulated both mentally and physically, every single day, rain, sleet, hail, snow or otherwise. So, that being said, would you not think that the right owner and family for an Alaskan Malamute would be active, outdoorsy and able to manage an independent, headstrong breed like an Alaskan Malamute? That's right, you have to take into account their temperament, but also yours, and those of family members or other household occupants.

Some important things to consider: Malamutes shed a lot; Malamutes howl a lot; Malamutes pull a lot; Malamutes dig a lot; Malamutes destroy dog beds and toys; Malamutes counter-surf; bored Malamutes can destroy furniture and eat through drywall; Malamutes have low guarding instincts; Malamutes have high prey-drive…..need I go on? If any of these attributes turn you off, stop reading now and Google a different breed. This breed will not be a fit for you, long term. To live with an Alaskan Malamute, one requires patience, understanding, intelligence, a firm and fair disposition, and, most of all, a sense-of-humor.

If I haven't deterred you from adding a Malamute to your home yet, let's continue.

The Alaskan Malamute is still a relatively healthy breed, especially for a large breed. Responsible, preservation breeders have worked closely together to ensure the health of our gene-pool, it is something that our parent breed clubs and top-caliber breeders care very deeply about. As a result of this focus, the Alaskan Malamute can boast a lifespan of 12-15 years. The question to ask yourself is, "where do I see myself over the course of the next 12-15 years?" Are factors such as: business travel, location change, condo-living, family additions or health factors subject to change or do you foresee stability? Of course, many life events we cannot predict, but we can ascertain how you perceive your responsibility and commitment level to this 'live addition' to your life over the long haul. In the event of such changes, what would be the outcome for your malamute? Would he be disposed of? Or would he be considered a lifelong companion, a family member, to include through thick and thin?

No one knows better than I do, just how darn cute malamute puppies are and how incredibly beautiful this breed is when fully mature. Wouldn't a malamute look so 'cool' on the end of your leash, or beside you on a hiking trail? I get it, I sure do, but STOP. Emotion and looking good in an Instagram post are no reasons to add a malamute to your life!! They are not a fashion statement. If you are a fan of the TV show “Game of Thrones,” or wept through the movie “Eight Below,” I don't care. "I want one of those cool looking dogs" is not a viable reason to add a malamute to your life. Need proof? Let me talk you through stories of dumped dogs that owners gave up on because of the challenges I have already presented to you above. Alaskan Malamutes are sentient beings with innate challenges and requirements, such as: regular grooming, a properly constructed fenced-in compound or yard, structure, discipline and socialization from puppyhood throughout life. All of this comes with a financial outlay and we haven't even begun to talk about food, equipment and lifelong veterinary care. Enough said there, right?

I hope you get the picture. My intent with this post is that you think objectively when making a 12-15 year commitment to add a dog, more seriously yet, an Alaskan Malamute, to your life. Cool breed, yes, I know. I thought things through very seriously for 'years' before finally adding one to our life, and the commitment we made was mutually accepted. That snowball effect is a topic for another blog, but what I am saying is, the Alaskan Malamute was the right choice for me and my husband and we have built our lives around the malamutes. We have sacrificed a lot for them.

Adding a Mal to your life is a serious commitment. The definition of commitment is staying true to your decision and responsibilities long after the initial feelings and emotions you had when you first made that decision have passed. Case in point: it is pouring rain out today. A very miserable, muddy, dark, chilly, rainy spring day. And when I say rain, I mean downpour. There are no breaks in the forecast. I am also battling a virus. Do I want to go outside today? No. But I do and I will and I will be the better for it. There is poop to be picked up and malamutes to be exercised and fed. Tending to them is not a matter of whether I feel like it or not. It is an absolute necessity NO MATTER WHAT.

Ask yourself and your family members the "hard" questions before making a decision that will impact your life physically, emotionally, mentally and financially for the long term and you will be happy you did. I appreciate you reading this and taking these factors into consideration.

©Jennifer Remazki, 2019
spiritrunmalamutes.ca