Volunteer Spotlight: Jeanne

Jeanne found WAMAL in the summer of 2025 while searching for a meaningful way to volunteer with dogs. After losing her beloved Lab, she deeply missed having dogs in her life. While she shares her home with a cat, Jeanne longed for that instant bond dogs provide - especially the majestic, soulful kind that comes with Malamutes.

A lifelong animal lover, Jeanne also volunteers with horses at Sundance Circle Hippotherapy, an organization dedicated to empowering individuals through equine-assisted therapy. Giving back through animals is clearly part of who she is.

Jeanne began on-site training at our Puyallup kennel, Malley Valley, in October. What truly stood out to her was the professionalism and care she saw right away. “The kennels are very clean, and the whole place is well-run,” she shared. “I really like that the organization as a whole is well-run, too.”

She appreciated the five-session training program led by experienced, knowledgeable volunteers who prioritize safety for both people and dogs. “No one is put in a dangerous or uncomfortable position,” she noted.

She was especially moved during the recent flooding event that required an emergency evacuation of the dogs and caretaker. “The Facebook call went out for help, and several volunteers just dropped everything and made it happen,” Jeanne recalled. Thanks to that swift response, the pups and caretaker were safely evacuated and later returned home once the threat had passed.

Now a regular presence at Malley Valley, Jeanne volunteers about twice a week. One of her favorite things about WAMAL is the variety of ways to spend time with the dogs - nose work, brushing, walking, or simply hanging out with them in the pastures. She’s seen firsthand how consistency and patience pay off. “Yukon was hard to pet at first, but after a few weeks of interaction, he would come running up to the gate to greet me!”

Jeanne also speaks warmly about Stacy, Malley Valley’s onsite Caretaker. “They’re genuinely interested in me as a person, and we chat often,” Jeanne said. “Stacy is such a great caretaker and takes such good care of the facility and the pups.” Jeanne also loves the layout of Malley Valley, with its individual kennels and spacious pastures designed with the dogs’ well-being in mind.

One dog who holds a particularly special place in Jeanne’s heart is Gwapo. Jeanne had the opportunity to take him off-site for adventures and public outings, where he shone with his excellent manners and joyful spirit. While she was sad to see him get adopted, she was also proud, knowing that the time and socialization she provided helped set him up for success in his forever home.

Walking the pups is Jeanne’s favorite way to volunteer, but she appreciates that Malley Valley is thoughtfully set up for all kinds of weather. With flexible activity options and an enclosed volunteer shed where you can warm up or grab a hot beverage, volunteering stays enjoyable year-round.

Despite working full time and juggling other volunteer commitments, Jeanne remains deeply dedicated to WAMAL. “I want WAMAL to be successful,” she said. “I don’t want Stacy or the organization to go anywhere!” She even offered a great idea for recruiting new volunteers -reaching out to local running groups and highlighting the fresh air and exercise that come with spending time at Malley Valley.

Jeanne’s compassion, commitment, and positive energy embody the very heart of WAMAL, and we are so grateful to have her as part of our volunteer family!



Volunteer Opportunities: Supporters in the Seattle/Tacoma Area

Jeanne’s story shows why our work is so important to the physical and mental health of the dogs, especially the ones who need a fresh start. Volunteering with the dogs is huge when it comes to helping them get adopted and start settling in.

The number of dogs will vary depending on who's checking out of the kennel and who's checking in, but the demand is always big because the waitlist is always long. Having space means we can say yes to the next Malamute in need, as long as we have the people to support them. That’s why our need for volunteers and fosters is both urgent and exciting!

Our dogs rely on amazing humans for:

• Daily walks and fresh-air adventures
• Enrichment, playtime, and socialization
• A break from kennel life
• (Most importantly) The ability for WAMAL to say “yes” when the next dog needs help

Every extra set of hands and every foster home directly opens the door for another dog who has nowhere else to go. If you’ve ever thought:

•  “I could walk a dog once or twice a week.”
•  “I can foster!”
•  “I want to help, but I’m not sure where to start.”

👉 This is your sign. Whether you have an hour, a weekend, or a little extra love to share, there’s a place for you on the WAMAL team. Want to learn more about fostering, walking, or other ways to support our dogs? Visit www.wamal.com and join us - the dogs are ready to meet you! And if you have questions, email us at volunteer@wamal.com.



Virtual Volunteer Opportunities: Supporters Anywhere in the World

Want to be part of our rescue family but live out of the area—or prefer to help behind the scenes? We’ve got you covered!

Check out this list for the many ways you can join our WAMAL Team from anywhere in the world. If one of these positions calls out to you, email us at volunteer@wamal.com.

Featured Adoptable: Meet Maggie

“Someone is truly missing out on a wonderful dog.” That’s how Maggie’s foster dad begins—and after six months with her, he should know. Maggie has been an absolute joy in her foster home. She knows her commands (sit, stay, OK), walks politely on leash, and doesn’t bark, growl, counter-surf, or guard her food. She’s so polite, in fact, that she sometimes takes a few hours to finish her meals—no rushing required! She gently takes treats straight from her foster dad’s lips, only chews her own toys, and has never redecorated with shoes or furniture. As a mature gal, Maggie is also a wonderful option for someone who wants all the love of a dog without a decade-long commitment.

Maggie is a people-loving sweetheart who absolutely thrives on attention. She has that classic Malamute-mix balance of affection and independence—one moment leaning in for belly rubs, the next striking a regal pose as she surveys her kingdom like the queen she clearly is. She adores her human pack and happily soaks up pets, cuddles, and praise.

Daily walks are one of Maggie’s favorite activities, and she enjoys taking her time exploring all the sights and smells along the way. She’s also a fantastic travel companion who rides beautifully in the car and is always ready to join you on an adventure.

Maggie has done well with older kids, but because she can enthusiastically put her paws up when excited, a home without small children is best. With other dogs, she can be a bit selective and prefers calm, larger canine companions with slow, respectful introductions. After a good play session, she’s more than happy to head home for a well-earned nap.

In true queen fashion, Maggie likes to rule her home with confidence and grace. She appreciates reassurance that she’ll get her fair share of attention and rewards her people with loyalty and love in return. Her ideal home includes a securely fenced yard where she can relax, enjoy some quiet time, and keep watch over her domain. Indoors, she prefers lounging near her people—just close enough to make sure everyone is safe and accounted for.

Maggie is currently being fostered in Manson, WA, and her foster is happy to transport her within a few hours’ drive for meet-and-greets.

If you’re looking for a loving, loyal companion with excellent manners and a dash of queenly flair, Maggie may be ready to claim her throne in your home. 

Special Plea: Join Our 
Fundraising Team

Whether fundraising, marketing, or events are your day job, or you're brand new and just want to keep WAMAL pulling strong through this icy economy, we're looking for folks who want to take on one or two special projects (that are great rainy-day activities for you and us):

• Special events: We’ve come up with some ideas that can put the “fun” in fundraisers, and perhaps you have your own as well. We're looking for folks who love to get social and are willing to do it for a good cause. 
• Writing: Do you like writing about Malamutes? Join our team to help spread the love!
• Grant writing: This deserves its own mention because we want to get more competitive with our grants. If you have grant writing experience, know somebody who does, or if you're just really dedicated to learning and working alongside us (and building something for your resume, perhaps), we'd love to welcome you on board. It's hard to get grants these days, but we'd have a decent shot if we just could put more energy there.

If any of these opportunities spark your interest, we’d love to hear from you. Send an email to fundraising@wamal.com.



Help Us Upgrade Our Leashes

We wanted to share an update on how we’re improving everyday gear at Malley Valley. Our well-loved nylon leashes have worked hard, but many are ready for retirement. We’re now working to replace them with biothane leashes, which are more durable, easier to clean, and much better suited for our rainy Pacific Northwest weather since they don’t stay wet.

If you’re able to donate a biothane leash, your generosity will make an immediate and meaningful difference. You can order directly through our Amazon wishlist or from your favorite supplier and send it directly to us at WAMAL: 11036 8th Ave NE #75538, Seattle, WA 98125.

Every leash truly helps, and we’re so grateful for this amazing community that continues to support important upgrades like this. Thank you for being part of our team!

And thank you to everyone who helped spice up mealtimes for our pups by donating sniffy games, puzzle feeders, and brain-teasing toys that give our pups something to look forward to. Our pups are loving them!