• Home
  • About Malamutes
    • Introduction
    • Malamute Facts (short version)
    • Is the Malamute Right for You?
    • The Breed Historically
    • Where do Rescue Dogs Come from?
  • Adopt a Malamute
    • Adoption Information
    • Adoption Fees
    • Adoptable Dogs >
      • Sanctuary Sweethearts
      • Dogs Currently Available for Adoption
      • Dogs at Area Shelters
      • Dogs Still with Owners Seeking New Homes
    • Happy Endings >
      • 2016 - 2022
      • 2011-2015
      • 2006-2010
      • 2001-2005
      • 1990-2000
    • Rainbow Bridge
    • Need to Give up your Malamute?
  • How You Can Help
    • Donations
    • Fostering >
      • Help your foster get adopted
      • Training your Foster
    • Sponsor a Malamute
    • Auctions/Shopping
    • How to send a donation
  • Events
  • Contacts
  • Links
  • Special Thanks
  • Preparing for Your New Arrival
Illinois Alaskan Malamute Rescue Association
  • Home
  • About Malamutes
    • Introduction
    • Malamute Facts (short version)
    • Is the Malamute Right for You?
    • The Breed Historically
    • Where do Rescue Dogs Come from?
  • Adopt a Malamute
    • Adoption Information
    • Adoption Fees
    • Adoptable Dogs >
      • Sanctuary Sweethearts
      • Dogs Currently Available for Adoption
      • Dogs at Area Shelters
      • Dogs Still with Owners Seeking New Homes
    • Happy Endings >
      • 2016 - 2022
      • 2011-2015
      • 2006-2010
      • 2001-2005
      • 1990-2000
    • Rainbow Bridge
    • Need to Give up your Malamute?
  • How You Can Help
    • Donations
    • Fostering >
      • Help your foster get adopted
      • Training your Foster
    • Sponsor a Malamute
    • Auctions/Shopping
    • How to send a donation
  • Events
  • Contacts
  • Links
  • Special Thanks
  • Preparing for Your New Arrival

Any intakes are completely based upon foster/space availability. We generally have very limited, if any, space available. The most common option for owned dogs that need to be rehomed, is our “Dogs With Owners Seeking New Homes” option. If your ability to hold onto your dog is extremely limited, please look into boarding your dog at your vet or a nearby boarding facility while a new home is being pursued.

If you need to surrender your dog and can't afford to have your dog vetted (S/N, vaccines, heartworm), please contact us and we will do our best to work with you.
IAMRA responds to all inquiries about our dogs, giving up your dog, or information in general via e-mail. Please make sure to check you spam folder if you haven't heard from us within 2 - 3 days.

Giving Up Your Malamute

If you contact us to give up your dog, please do not tell us that you "wish" or "really want" to keep him or her BUT . . . because we will try to assist you in fixing your problem. Most behavior problems can be overcome with a little time, patience and training. Do contact us if you want training/behavior help, we have excellent assistance available. If your mind is made up, and the dog MUST go, be upfront with us. Let us know that you took on a commitment that you could not fulfill, and that you need to place your dog in rescue. Be honest with us about your dogs health and behavior. This is in the best interest of your dog, and will help him/her get a new home in a more timely way.
Please understand that due to the volume of dogs we help, there is often a  6-16 week (or longer) waiting period for owner turn-ins. We rely solely on volunteer foster homes. If you cannot wait until we have a space available, please consider boarding your dog at your vets office or a local boarding facility, until a rescue foster home becomes available.


Always contact the breeder of your dog first!!! Many breeders sell their dog on a contract that requires you to notify them first if you cannot keep the dog.

If you do not have a breeder, or your breeder isn't being helpful, please send us the required information using the 'Contact IAMRA' button above or sending it to vicky@iamra.org
One of the first things we can do is list your dog on our website under our seeking new owners section while we look for a foster home for your dog. Contact us as soon as possible if you have to give up your malamute, and we will get the process started.  We MUST have:
  • Written proof of current vaccinations
  • Spay/neuter
  • Microchip
  • Current (negative) heartworm test.
  • It is your responsibility to keep in touch with us WEEKLY, via email or phone, while waiting for a space to become available, and to give us all requested information on your dog. Failure to provide weekly communication will result in your dog losing his or her place on the waiting list for a foster home.

Another Option:

You can list your malamute on our 'Dogs Still with Owners, Seeking New Homes' . This is the option we recommend to most people looking to re-home their dogs, as we can get them on the site quickly with no waiting time.
  • Dogs must be spayed/neutered
  • Current on vaccinations
  • Microchipped
  • Heartworm negative
  • We must have written proof of the above

What We Need From You:

  • Written proof that your dog is fully vetted. This can be scanned and sent as an attachment.
  • A biography and picture of your dog
  • Your contact information for interested parties.
  • Remember to keep in touch weekly via email, or your listing will be removed.
We will connect any interested parties with you - we assume no liability for the adoption. Please understand that this option can take a very long time - depending on the dog. Young, healthy, well trained dogs are usually adopted fairly quickly. Older, less healthy dogs, poorly trained dogs, or dogs with issues can take much longer.  We have had some of our rescues for a year or more. Again, weekly communication is required, or your dog will be removed from our site.

Re-homing Your Dog Yourself:

If you plan to re-home your dog yourself, make sure that your dog is:
  • Spayed/Neutered
  • Up to date on vaccinations
  • Heartworm negative and on preventative
  • Microchipped
Interview possible homes very carefully, as sad as it is, there are people that
want these dogs for less than desirable reasons,
such as dog fighting, puppy mills, or laboratory research.
BE CAREFUL.
Also understand that "no kill" shelters will have a long waiting list, as we do - there are only so many spaces available. Most shelters are "kill" shelters. They do the very best they can, but with so many unwanted animals, usually they can only keep dogs a few days, or a few weeks at most. The law requires that strays be held three days, but there are no such requirements for owner surrenders. The dogs are not lost, and no owner is looking for them - the owner has given them up.  They are often the first to be destroyed, often the same day they are given up. Unfortunately, often large dogs, or dogs over a few months old, are the first to be put down, as they are the hardest to place. 12 million dogs are put down in shelters every year in the United States. Don't think it won't happen to yours.   Click here for a listing of No Kill Shelters in our area.
  • Home
  • About Malamutes
    • Introduction
    • Malamute Facts (short version)
    • Is the Malamute Right for You?
    • The Breed Historically
    • Where do Rescue Dogs Come from?
  • Adopt a Malamute
    • Adoption Information
    • Adoption Fees
    • Adoptable Dogs >
      • Sanctuary Sweethearts
      • Dogs Currently Available for Adoption
      • Dogs at Area Shelters
      • Dogs Still with Owners Seeking New Homes
    • Happy Endings >
      • 2016 - 2022
      • 2011-2015
      • 2006-2010
      • 2001-2005
      • 1990-2000
    • Rainbow Bridge
    • Need to Give up your Malamute?
  • How You Can Help
    • Donations
    • Fostering >
      • Help your foster get adopted
      • Training your Foster
    • Sponsor a Malamute
    • Auctions/Shopping
    • How to send a donation
  • Events
  • Contacts
  • Links
  • Special Thanks
  • Preparing for Your New Arrival