Ready for Puppy Love? 
They're Ready for You!

Who doesn’t love puppies? The wiggles, the fluff, the pure joy they bring, it’s hard to resist! But if now isn’t the right time to add a permanent new member to your family, fostering is the perfect way to get your puppy fix! By opening your home, even temporarily, you give these little ones a safe, loving place to grow, learn, and thrive while they wait for their forever families.

It is rare that we get puppies into rescue so if you are looking to adopt another dog into your family but are hoping for a puppy, consider opening your heart to one of these Malamute-mix pups! You’ll gain a loyal companion who will grow right alongside you.

Right now, we’re searching for foster and adoptive homes in Oregon and Washington for these three adorable 11–12-week-old Malamute mix puppies. They’re at that magical age—curious, cuddly, and ready to start their journey with someone like you.

Interested in fostering or adopting? Complete an application at: www.wamal.org

Have questions or want to learn more? Email us at: fosters@wamal.com

Poorly Drawn Pets is Coming!

Calling all Picassos, doodlers, and "I can only draw stick figures" specialists! Are you a world-class artistic prodigy? Or is your greatest talent drawing a dog that looks suspiciously like a lumpy potato? Great news: we need both of you!

One of WAMAL’s most legendary (and entertaining) events is back: the Poorly Drawn Pets Fundraiser. We are looking for a "pack" of artists to help us turn pet photos into masterpieces—or, at the very least, recognizable shapes.

It’s simple, low-stress, and high-reward. Here’s the play-by-play:

1. The Request: People send us a photo of their beloved pet (dog, cat, fish, or even a very photogenic rock) along with a donation.
2. The Notification: We text or email that photo directly to you.
3. The Magic: You channel your inner artist. Whether you use a fancy digital tablet, professional oils, or a box of crayons you find in the junk drawer, the choice is yours.
4. The Delivery: Just snap a photo or scan of your creation and send it back to us. You keep the original—no post office trips required.

No talent? No problem! Seriously. We’ve had "masterpieces" created by first graders that donors absolutely adored. We’re not looking for perfection here, just a fanciful interpretation of their pup, cat, fish, horse…whatever they call a pet.

We know you’re busy. The fundraiser only lasts 3-4 days, and you don’t need to be "on call" the whole time. Just jump in when you can and draw as many (or as few) as you like!

Ready to unleash your creative genius? Be part of one of the most entertaining fundraisers of the year by sending an email to poorlydrawnpets@wamal.com and let us know you’d like to be part of the artist pack!



A Journey of Compassion: 
Behind the Scenes with Our Owner Support Team

Last year alone, WAMAL received 284 requests for rehoming assistance. Behind every request is a unique story. To understand how WAMAL manages this volume, here's Vivien B. from the Owner Support Team.

“Many inquiries involve Huskies or dogs outside our service area of Washington and Oregon,” Vivien explains. “When a dog isn't the right fit for WAMAL, we do our best to refer owners to reputable partners, such as Husky rescues or the Alaskan Malamute Assistance League (AMAL) who have rescue affiliates across the US.” 

We know that life happens. Our biggest fear is that an owner might feel so desperate that they give or sell their Malamute to a stranger without the rigorous references and home checks that rescues provide. With decades of experience rescuing and rehoming this northern breed since 1998, WAMAL has developed a thoughtful and carefully vetted process to ensure the best possible outcomes for both dogs and their families.

Often, that process starts with exploring a way for the dog to stay in their home. Our team offers resources to address common challenges, including professional training and guidance, medical support options, and low-cost spay/neuter services.

As a breed-specific rescue, a dog doesn’t need to be a purebred, but they do need to be “Mal-enough.” Our breed-experienced team reviews photos and information to make that determination before proceeding. A detailed questionnaire designed to help understand the dog’s history, temperament, health, and daily life is then completed by the owner. This step is essential in determining how we can best help. We may also inquire if the breeder or original rescue has been contacted or if there are concerning behavioral issues, and if these have been addressed with a trainer or behavior professional.

Under our mission guidelines, we can only adopt and promote dogs that are spayed/neutered. If a dog isn't fixed yet, WAMAL may be able to help find low-cost clinics or provide funding assistance depending upon the circumstances.

We believe that, when possible, keeping a dog in their home is the best outcome for everyone, but if rehoming is determined to be the best path, we offer several options based on the dog’s needs and our capacity:

Courtesy Listings: We feature your dog, while you manage the placement

Owner Listings: We actively screen and match adopters

Rescue Intake: Placement into foster care or our kennel

Because our foster and kennel space is extremely limited, we must prioritize dogs in immediate danger—such as those in shelters at risk of euthanasia—followed by urgent medical cases and owner surrenders. Whenever possible, we encourage dogs to remain in their current homes during the adoption process to reduce their stress and save space for emergencies.

While WAMAL can’t guarantee miracles, we do have extensive experience dealing with a multitude of issues and can certainly offer resources, suggestions, and alternatives to giving up a beloved pup. Being part of the Owner Support Team is a labor of love. Vivien admits that it isn't for the faint of heart. “It can be tough because you get so emotionally involved in the journey of the owner and the pup,” she shares. “But it’s incredibly rewarding to see that dog be able to stay in their home or eventually find their new "furever" home.”

Thanks Vivian and all the members of the Owner Support Team for putting in the time, effort and caring into helping people and their pups!

Ways to Get Directly Involved With WAMAL

Needed: Home Visit Coordinator

As more people reach out to us for help bringing dogs into rescue and finding them safe, loving homes, we’re looking to grow our Home Visit Coordination team.

This role is a vital part of WAMAL’s mission. Home visits help ensure each dog is matched with the right forever family—setting both the pup and their new humans up for success. By helping coordinate these connections, you’re directly increasing our ability to say “yes” to more dogs in need.

Responsibilities include:

• Reviewing initial adoption inquiries and applications
• Setting up home visits with WAMAL volunteers
• Reviewing home visit evaluations and communicating with foster and adoption teams
• Sending follow-up information to applicants
• Continuing to maintain all associated records

You’ll need access to a computer, the ability to check emails regularly, strong attention to detail, good organizational and data management skills, and the ability to work independently and follow through. The average weekly time spent is three hours, depending on the rate of submitted applications.

We’d like to emphasize that you won’t be doing this alone. We have experienced HVC team members ready to support and guide you every step of the way. Being part of a team means flexibility, collaboration, and shared success.

If you’ve been looking for a meaningful way to make an impact, this is it! You’ll play a direct role in helping our pups find their perfect forever homes. Thank you for helping us help the dogs 💛

Interested or have questions? Email: volunteer@wamal.com

Be the Connection: 
Volunteer Coordinator 

As a 100% volunteer-run organization, WAMAL relies on dedicated support and is currently seeking additional help with volunteer coordination. This remote role includes following up on volunteer interest inquiries, maintaining and updating volunteer records, assisting with onboarding new volunteers into the right roles, and responding to general questions.

You won’t be doing this alone—our current team will be there to support you every step of the way. We’re simply looking to share the workload so we can continue to grow and support more dogs.

If you’re interested, please reach out to kristiana@wamal.com.

We’re Moving from "Talk" to "Action”:
Join the WAMAL Fundraising Team!

Have fundraising experience—or none at all, but curious to learn? Either way, we’d love to have you join us. Fundraising is the engine that fuels our mission. If you’re excited to help WAMAL bring some really meaningful, fun projects to life this year, there’s a place for you! 

We’ve already kicked things off, but there are still plenty of ways to get involved. After our recent team meeting, it was clear we’re ready to shift from planning to action—rolling up our sleeves and making things happen. Our focus now is on doing what we all enjoy most: being creative and having a direct impact on our ability to continue saving Malamutes.  

So, whether you’re a seasoned fundraiser, brand new and eager to learn, or just have a creative idea to share, we’d love to hear from you.

Interested? Reach out to kristiana@wamal.com and jump in!

Grant Success!

Thank you, Friends Of Oso Foundation, for awarding WAMAL their Gear Library Grant! We're excited to start building it! Think harnesses, leashes, belts, travel bowls, backpacks, lines, safety kits etc.

“We are so thrilled to announce that Washington Alaskan Malamute Adoption League and Decator's Place/Mid Missouri Malamute Rescue have been selected as our Gear Library Grant recipients — and our hearts are so full making this announcement. 

The applications we received told a powerful story of rescues across the country refusing to settle for outcomes that don’t serve dogs or the people who love them. So many of you are already doing the quiet, tireless work of connecting adopters and fosters to activities that help dogs not just survive, but truly flourish.

To every rescue that applied: your work is the work that changes lives. You show up for animals every single day, often without fanfare. So, if no one has said it lately — thank you.”
~ Friends of Oso Foundation ~

If you have any lightly used gear or books related to Malamutes or activities they were bred for (weight pulling, scent work, canicross, etc.) and you'd like to donate them to WAMAL's Gear Library for the use of fosters, adopters, and volunteers to help these dogs thrive, please email treasurer@wamal.com.