Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Adoption and Fostering?

The purpose of a foster home can vary. Mainly a foster parent would be someone who makes themself available to temporarily care for a rescue dog. This may be while a suitable or permanent home is not yet available or to care for the dogs of those who are unable to do so for a temporary amount of time. In other cases, it may require rehabilitating dogs who have lost or been removed from their owners. If you are actually wanting to home a Maltese on a permanent basis, please fill out the adoption application

How does the adoption process work?

There are four basic steps required.

(1) Application for adoption

(2) Home check

(3) Adoption fee

(4) Arrangments to receive or collect your rescued Maltese dog

*It is important to remember that you can only collect or receive your rescued Maltese, once the first 3 steps have successfully been completed

How much is the adoption fee?

A standard fee of R850 is charged for the adoption of a single dog and R1200 for more than one dog

What does the adoption fee cover?

Our standard adoption fee covers outreach costs and is intended as a donation toward the rescue work of Maltese breeds around South Africa.

This fee does not cover sterilization, microchipping, deworming or vaccinations. Our goal is to find the best homes for each dog in need, focusing on their individual needs. The adoption fee is therefore an important part of all adoptions.

Why doesn't Maltese Rescue have a walk-in location to view dogs?

One of the main reasons we founded this rescue was to provide an effective way for Maltese in particular to avoid kennels, shelters and cages.

A Maltese dog is an indoor dog and needs to be in a home environment. By providing a home to home service, we safeguard them from the trauma and stresses attached to the beforementioned situations.

Why is there a need for adoptions?

Consider some reasons why individuals have given up their furry family members and why this may be the best thing for them in some circumstances.

• Perhaps they are forced to move to a smaller home or to where they are not permitted to have a dog.

• The owners themselves die.

• They found their dog to be incompatible with their lifestyle.

• The new dog is incompatible with certain pets that they already own.

• Perhaps they are forced to take on full-time employment and feel that they can't give their beloved dogs all the attention that they deserve.

• Immigration to another country is often an issue, where the owners care enough not to leave their beloved ones in quarantine for 6 months.

• Natural disasters. Even in South Africa, disasters like floods, drought and bush fires may require temporary shelter for a dog.

• Another unforeseen tragedy is Domestic violence. For many, the reasonable thing to do is often to temporarily keep a pet in a safe place, like a rescue or shelter when issues get too bad.

It's not our job to judge anyone

As a rescue organization, we focus on what we can do to help. It is understandable each individual has his or her own circumstances. No one should feel that they are being judged or feel that they are being judged for putting their dog's best interests first.

The truth is that 'specific breed dog rescues' only exist because these dogs are not unwanted but are in demand and they are given to appreciative homes where people really love animals and want to give them the best life possible. This is a rewarding job to find the right home for the right dog and should not need outside funding if the animals are truly appreciated.

What is a Rescue dog?

A rescue dog is a dog that has been placed in a new home after being abused, neglected, or abandoned by its previous owner. The term can also apply to dogs that are found as strays, surrendered by owners for a variety of reasons, including relationship breakdowns, moving home where the owner is unable to take their pets or elderly people who are not permitted to take their dog(s) into nursing homes.

What are the benefits of Rescuing a dog or pet?

Rescuing from a shelter versus adopting from a pet store can save money. The physical animal will often be cheaper at a shelter than if purchased at a pet store, and shelters often microchip, spay, neuter, and vaccinate the animals.

Rescuing dogs will help eliminate 'puppy farms'. Despite the fact that puppy farms are illegal, many people throughout the world still benefit from the profits made. A lot of the problem comes from the fact that people are not even aware of the fact that they are adopting a puppy that was bred from a puppy farm. That is why it is vital to research exactly where one is adopting from before purchasing a puppy.

Did you know?

• Owning an animal can benefit one's own health and well being. Multiple studies have shown that not only can having a dog improve one's happiness and health, but it can also elongate one's life. Specifically, service dogs help with depression, stress, and anxiety. Playing with a dog daily is proven to increase levels of serotonin and dopamine, two chemicals naturally produced in the human body that make one feel happy and play important roles in brain and body function.

• Parents that have pets provide life lessons and extended benefits to their children. Not only does having a pet naturally teach children responsibilities, but it can also help them with separation anxiety and feeling a sense of security when they are at home.