Maltese weigh less than 7 pounds. Their white, silky fur must be brushed every day or two and clipped every 6 weeks. They are happy-go-lucky, affectionate dogs.Maltese are big sellers in pet shops, which means they are also one of the popular breeds of puppy millers. In the United States and Canada, thousands of dogs live in horrid conditions for their entire lives. Arizona animal shelters and rescue groups regularly have Maltese or Maltese mixes waiting for new homes. Buying a Maltese at a pet shop will continue the terrible puppy mill business, so rescue or adopt a Maltese instead.
Instructions
1. Visit your local animal shelter and ask whether there are any Maltese or Maltese mixes available for adoption. Consider adopting the shelter dog or if the shelter has a foster program, sign up as a foster home for Maltese. One of the best county animal control shelters in the United States is Maricopa County Animal Care & Control. If you live near Phoenix, visit this shelter and sign up for the foster home program and help save animals' lives.
2. Foster a Maltese for a rescue group. Purebred and all-breed rescue groups throughout Arizona need foster homes so they can save more lives. The American Maltese Rescue Association is a national rescue with foster homes in Arizona. Fosters provide a safe haven for a dog until a forever home is found. The foster home provides love, training and food while the rescue group pays the veterinary bills. Without committed foster homes, rescue groups could not save lives.
3. Contact your groomer and veterinarian and let him know that you are looking for a Maltese. Families that need to find a home for their pets will contact their vets and groomers for help. Leave your information with the receptionist and ask to be contacted if someone needs to find a home for their dog.
4. Visit PetSmart on a Saturday. Arizona-based PetSmart partners with animal rescue groups and shelters. They hold adoption events in the stores on Saturdays. Let the rescue group at the store know that you are looking for a Maltese.
5. Make an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as you bring your Maltese home. Get a complete check-up, including a heartworm test. Schedule spay or neuter surgery if the dog is not altered. Ask the vet about the dog's weight. Maltese should weigh between 4 and 7 pounds, but many dogs are overweight. If you need to find a veterinarian, the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association provides referrals.
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