A puppy looking for a home at a Morkie Rescue club

Trust the AKC Rescue Network

The American Kennel Club’s AKC Rescue Network is the largest network of dog rescue groups in the country and was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in late 2013. It focuses on by-breed rescue, which can be helpful in looking for a rescue morkie: check out Yorkshire Terrier and Maltese groups to try and find a Morkie.

More than 450 AKC Rescue Network groups are located across the United States.

Visit the AKC Rescue Network site for their listings on –

MORKIE RESCUE

You can look for Morkies from rescue groups on pet adoption websites like Petango.com, but here is some more information that is rescue-specific.

Don't be scammed

Sellers put up a website featuring pictures of terrible animal abuse and claim they are rescuing dogs from a puppy mill or even another country like North Korea, where dogs are regularly eaten.

There’s no rescue; they ARE the puppy mill, and the dogs are sickly, weak and nervous.

Instead of doing a good thing by helping dogs, you end up with heartbreak on your hands.

You can tell this is a scam when you see the price tag — the “adoption fees” or shipping fees for these dogs often exceeds $1,000! Breed rescue groups charge nominal fees – usually no more than $300 because their goal is to find good homes for their rescues, not make money.

Why worry the rescue is fake??

It’s sad, but here are some reasons why crooks are interested in the world of dog rescue —

1. There are more than 10,000 rescue groups operating nationwide in the United States.

2. There are no national laws governing animal rescues.

3. Most rescues are never short on compassion but operate on a shoestring budget and need continuous funding to survive. That’s an opportunity for crooks to step in and try to get some of that money.

Animal Rescue gone wrong

Check this article on Huffpost How Can You Tell If A Dog Rescue Group Is Legit?

You’ll read about why you need to ask where the rescue dog came from – because some rescues are BUYING DOGS FROM PUPPY MILLS.

We know puppy mills aren’t regulated and are the worst of the worst But who regulates rescues?? No one.

Read more.

Remember, YOU have every right to ask questions.

one of many rescue puppies looking for a home

Questions to ask a rescue group

When can I visit?

Whether you’re looking at a shelter facility or a rescue, it’s always wise to visit. You can assure yourself that it is NOT a puppy mill or large-scale breeding farm. And, of course, you can meet your prospective new buddy.

How much is the adoption fee?

If it is over $500, you should be concerned. Ask what the adoption fee covers, and get that in writing. Most rescues and rehoming agencies have the dog fully checked out with a Vet and include neutering or spaying. You should be able to get that paperwork upon adoption.

What do you want to know about me?

If the rescue group does not ask you to fill out questionnaires about your lifestyle or doesn’t ask to have a home visit, be wary and take special precautions.

How did the dog come to the rescue?
The Morkie could be a surrender from the previous owner or pulled from a shelter.

What does the rescuer know about the dog’s temperament?
Were any tests done? Is background information available?

Was the dog bought at an auction?

Some rescue groups have been buying dogs from commercial breeders (puppy mills) at dog auctions. They do so in the name of “saving” an individual dog, but as a result of the increased demand they cause, the prices of dogs at auctions have been pushed up considerably. This is a slippery slope!

Have all shots and check-ups been done?

Including heartworm testing. Will that paperwork be provided upon adoption?

Ask about their rehoming policies

You want it to work out with your new Morkie, but what if it doesn’t? Can the dog be returned, and under what circumstances? Some rescues insist that you take the dog back to them if it doesn’t work, rather than going to the pound yourself. That’s great.

But if the rescuer gets defensive or questions your motives, time to move on.

Are you on Facebook?

Do some simple google searches. Any news stories? Mentions on other sites? Does the rescue group have a Facebook page, and what does it say?

References

Ask if you can speak to someone who’s had a rescue dog from them.

Request the name of the Veterinarian who they regularly use. Contact that clinic.

Will other rescue groups in the area vouch for them? Reach out to other rescues to ask questions.

Morkie rescue websites

To find rescue sites, a good place to start is a simple Google search for “Morkie rescue.” This may bring up places close to you. Then you can start to explore each one in more detail via Google searches.

Breed-specific rescues often help home crossbreeds like Morkies. Search “Yorkie breed club” or “Maltese breed club” to check.

Rescue puppy’s good news story

Moxie was rescued by National Mill Dog Rescue and got a second chance at life. It is pretty rare for a 12-year-old puppy mill survivor to get a chance like this. Usually, old guys are discarded like a piece of trash.

When the National Mill Dog Rescue Team picked him up, Moxie was close to death. He was so weak that he could barely lift his head, and he just sat still, staring at the ground. Nobody could tell that he was a Maltese. The color of his fur should have been white, but it was yellow and brown. He was matted, dirty, and covered with urine.

Flash forward to today

Here’s Moxie today; clearly a GREAT news story. Read more about how National Mill Dog Rescue works here.

Morkie rescued after 12 years in puppy mill

Moxie says “Even when I’m getting hosed down, I’m a happy boy. Baths feel so good!”