How Do I Give Up My Maltese?

You can rehome your Maltese through private adoption, shelter surrender, or rescue placement—but the goal isn’t simply to give up your dog. It’s to find them a loving, stable, and well-suited new home. Understanding your options helps ensure the best possible outcome for your beloved companion.

A gentle Maltese sitting calmly beside a person's hand, showing trust and affection

First, Explore Ways to Keep Your Dog

Before pursuing rehoming, take time to consider whether keeping your Maltese might still be possible. Many challenges have practical, compassionate solutions:

  • Behavioral concerns? Excessive barking or house soiling may improve with professional training or a certified behaviorist.
  • Time constraints? Doggy daycare or a trusted pet sitter can provide companionship and structure during your workday.
  • Financial barriers? Low-cost or free spay/neuter clinics, veterinary assistance programs, and community resources are often available locally.

Of course, some circumstances—like sudden housing changes, serious health issues, or safety concerns—make keeping your dog impossible. When that’s the case, thoughtful rehoming becomes an act of deep care.

Rehome Through Someone You Know

Offering your Maltese to a trusted friend, family member, or colleague can be one of the kindest and most seamless options. Maltese dogs are cherished for their gentle temperament and hypoallergenic coats—qualities that often make them ideal companions for many households.

However, “someone you know” doesn’t mean just anyone. Carefully assess whether the potential adopter has:

  • A safe, dog-friendly living environment
  • Time and energy for daily walks, grooming, and socialization
  • Financial readiness for food, preventive care, and unexpected vet visits
  • A genuine commitment to lifelong care—not just short-term enthusiasm
Two people smiling as they gently hold a Maltese puppy between them during a meet-and-greet introduction

Work With Shelters or Rescues

Local shelters and breed-specific rescues can help place your Maltese—but availability varies widely.

Rescues often operate under no-kill policies, meaning space is limited and waitlists are common. Still, Maltese-focused rescues—like those affiliated with furpetvo.com—may prioritize placements for this breed and offer tailored support.

Shelters typically accept pets more readily but face space and resource constraints. Some may practice humane euthanasia when overcrowded—a difficult reality you should understand before surrendering.

Both shelters and rescues usually charge a surrender fee to offset intake costs. Contact organizations directly to learn about fees, wait times, and required documentation.

Use a Trusted Pet Rehoming Platform

Digital platforms like FurPetVo offer a safe, transparent, and empowering alternative. With FurPetVo’s rehoming program, you:

  1. Create a detailed profile highlighting your Maltese’s personality, habits, health history, and needs
  2. Reach thousands of pre-screened, responsible adopters actively searching for a companion
  3. Review applications personally—and even arrange in-person meetups—to choose the best match
  4. Access free guidance on evaluating homes, drafting adoption agreements, and transitioning your dog smoothly

This approach keeps you in control while prioritizing your dog’s long-term wellbeing. And because FurPetVo verifies adopter profiles and encourages open communication, it significantly reduces risk compared to informal online listings.

A happy Maltese playing in a sunlit backyard with a new family, showing comfort and joy in their new environment

Whatever path you choose, remember: rehoming is not failure—it’s responsibility. By choosing thoughtfully and compassionately, you honor the bond you’ve shared and give your Maltese the loving future they deserve.