Chesapeake Area Alaskan Malamute Protection Information

Chesapeake Area Alaskan Malamute Protection (CHAAMP) is a non-profit 501(c)(3), all volunteer, rescue organization dedicated to helping our favorite breed, Malamutes. CHAAMP is an affiliate of the national rescue organization, AMAL. CHAAMP volunteers have been rescuing Malamutes in our area since the early 1990's. CHAAMP does not have a shelter! All our dogs are kenneled or fostered in private homes over our rescue territory: Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Washington DC. 2009 was the craziest year ever in CHAAMP history. Around the first of the year we got 5 very emaciated Malamutes from a puppy mill called Charmed Ones whom we nursed back to health. They weighed about half what they should have and were covered with lice, fleas, and mites. Then in April a Malamute girl we pulled from a shelter gave birth to 11 pups, whom have since been adopted. In August we took 11 three-week old pups and 6 other pups from the puppy mill Charmed Ones. Meanwhile, the number of Mals in shelters and the number of Malamute owners who want to give up their dogs was unprecedented. We saved 71 Malamutes in 2009. In addition to getting Malamutes safe and providing vet care and love, then finding them suitable homes, we offer training tips, behavioral information, and support to Malamute owners who want to keep their dogs but need help. Unfortunately every year we turn away more Malamutes than we rescue. You may wonder why there are so many needing help. We wonder that as well! The sad truth is that many people refuse to understand that a dog is a lifetime commitment. People dump their dogs at shelters, push them out of their cars onto busy roads, move away and leave the dogs chained up on their old property to die, or shoot them. You may believe that only a sick person would do such a thing, but that's not the case. Many people dump their dog the moment he or she becomes inconvenient. Some of the "reasons" we've heard:"We bought the dog for our son and he's going off to college so we don't need it any more." "This dog's too damned old!" "My puppy takes more time than I thought she would." "We're moving.""I didn't know they had to go outside every day!" In the current economy many people who never intended to give up their Malamutes are losing their homes and thus have little choice. We are taking as many of these Malamutes from owners as we can. We are also offering to help with vet care and food when possible. So now you know why we exist! Interested in learning more and seeing some gorgeous dogs?