Here’s what you need to know if you’re searching for the best Belgian Malinois rescues in the United States. Of all the large dog breeds, the Belgian Malinois is perhaps one of the most widely misunderstood. These dogs are frequently used in law enforcement and the military and can be fierce.
However, that ferocity translates to a protective companion when dogs are trained properly. If you’re considering adopting a Belgian Malinois, do your research. They’re extremely energetic and require a great deal of exercise.
They must be handled appropriately, and households with children may not be appropriate for this breed. If you’ve researched and determined that you have the time and patience for a Malinois, check out our list of the best Belgian Malinois rescues in the United States. These shelters take in retired, mistreated, or surrendered dogs looking for a forever home.
Before you scroll down this list of Belgian Malinois rescues in the United States, you can check out these other rescue shelter recommendations from our team at We Love Doodles: Best Poodle Rescues For Adoption in the United States and Best Cavapoo Rescues For Adoption.
Find a Belgian Malinois Rescue Shelter Near Me in the United States
Our team at We Love Doodles hopes that this list of Belgian Malinois rescues in the United States will help you on your journey to finding a companion to introduce into your home.
Belgian Malinois Product Recommendations: Best Dog Crate Alternatives.
1. American Belgian Malinois Rescue
First on the list of Belgian Malinois rescues in the United States is “American Belgian Malinois Rescue.” American Belgian Malinois Rescue is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that seeks to unite Belgian Malinois dogs with new homes. They do not adopt to law enforcement or other organizations; in fact, many surrendered dogs are in the shelter because they’re not good work dogs.
If you’re an individual who would like to adopt a Malinois, however, contact the American Belgian Malinois Rescue. There are foster and permanent placement opportunities available. Fostering a puppy is a great way to learn whether the breed is right for you – remember: the Malinois isn’t perfect for everyone.
You’ll be required to complete a detailed application before adopting from this shelter. The team wants to know about your experience with dogs – Malinois in particular – and about your household. The team does place dogs into homes with children, but this is considered on a case-by-case basis.
Adoptable dogs are located across the entire United States. The shelter does not ship, so be sure you find a dog that’s local to you or convenient for pickup. The adoption fee will vary based on the dog; your puppy will come spayed or neutered, microchipped, and current on all vaccines.
American Belgian Malinois Rescue Details
- Location: Nationwide (Based in Wisconsin)
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: American Belgian Malinois Rescue
2. Malinois Rescue League
Malinois Rescue League is a relatively new organization founded in 2019 after identifying a great need. What was that need? Rescuing dogs from Asian meat markets. Western working dogs imported to Asia are frequently surrendered if they’re not considered ideal military or law enforcement dogs, and those puppies are often sent to slaughter.
Malinois Rescue League works with an international network to rescue dogs. Those puppies are brought to the United States, medically treated, and fostered. The MRL has strict requirements for adoptive homes, and you’ll be required to participate in a home visit.
These dogs are often quite unaccustomed to living in a household, so take great care to ensure you’re the right match for a Belgian Malinois from this group. The cost to adopt a Belgian Malinois from Malinois Rescue League will be as high as $2,000. Dogs are flown in from international locations, often requiring a great deal of veterinary care. The adoption fee covers some of the overhead required to care for these dogs appropriately.
Malinois Rescue League Details
- Location: Nationwide (US and Canada)
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Malinois Rescue League
3. MAD Rescue
MAD Rescue is another non-profit organization specializing in rescuing Malinois and Dutch shepherd puppies. They’re strictly foster-based, and there is no physical shelter in which these dogs are housed. However, there are many dogs available at any given time, and the odds are high that you’ll be able to find a puppy convenient to your location.
You’ll need to apply to adopt before you’re able to bring a Malinois home with you. The MAD Rescue staff will ask about your household and family and your veterinary references, and your experience with dogs. If you’re unsure whether this breed is right for you, you can volunteer within the organization.
This will allow you exposure to the breed and help you learn about the type of care they require. The adoption fee for your baby will vary depending on how old they are. Puppies will cost $495, while an adult dog will cost $450. Once you select a dog, a biography and the details of its characteristics will be displayed.
MAD Rescue Details
- Location: Nationwide
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: MAD Rescue
4. Woof Project Rescue
Woof Project Rescue is located in Washington state, and they specialize in placing Belgian Malinois puppies with families on the west coast. Dogs rescued by Woof are housed with foster families in Washington, Oregon, California, Montana, Utah, and Idaho.
The adoption process with Woof Project Rescue is straightforward. You’ll contact the organization, and the Woof team will get back to you to interview you and begin the next steps. The shelter will not adopt dogs to families with children under 12, without Malinois experience, or without a fenced yard.
You’ll need to pay a $500 adoption fee to adopt a dog. This is a not-for-profit group, and your fee is applied to the care of each rescued dog. Your dog will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and dewormed when they go home with you. Pups are microchipped for safety, as well.
Woof Project Rescue Details
- Location: Washington – serves the west coast
- Website: Woof Project Rescue
5. Wounded Paw Project
Wounded Paw Project doesn’t specialize in Belgian Malinois puppies, but we love their mission. Because of the high instance of Malinois dogs being trained to fight, quite a few of the breed come through the Wounded Paw Project doors. This non-profit organization rescues dogs from dogfighting and other occasions of abuse, rehabilitates them, and houses them with adoptive pet parents like you.
You can apply to foster a rescued dog by contacting the organization. You’ll be responsible for transporting your foster puppy to vet appointments, training, and other necessary events. Note that some of these dogs come from abusive homes; keep this in mind before you foster a dog.
If you’re not ready to foster a dog, consider volunteering with the Wounded Paw Project. You can assist with the care of dogs, fundraising, photography, or other tasks. You can learn more about the breeds and determine whether a Malinois is right for you.
Wounded Paw Project Details
- Location: Nationwide
- Website: Wounded Paw Project
6. Working Dogs Rescue
Working Dogs Rescue is the next Belgian Malinois rescue on our list. This Ohio-based shelter specializes in assisting animals that are trained as working dogs. Breeds include German shepherds and Belgian Malinois. Dogs in high-kill shelters are brought into the Working Dogs Rescue family, then adopted into United States homes.
States served by Working Dogs Rescue include Ohio, Arizona, Texas, and Pennsylvania. To adopt a dog, you’ll need to fill out an application and submit it for a home visit or screening. Once approved, you’ll pay an adoption fee, which will vary based on the dog’s specifics.
There is a mandatory two-week trial period for each dog adopted. You can view available dogs on Petfinder; there, you’ll find more information about the personality and history of your puppy. Adoption fees are listed on each dog’s biography. Your dog will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and dewormed when it’s time to go home with you.
Working Dogs Rescue Details
- Location: Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Arizona
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Working Dogs Rescue
7. Vegas Shepherd Rescue
Vegas Shepherd Rescue was founded in 2012 as a rescue for German shepherds that have been abandoned or abused. In the decade following, they’ve grown to include other working dog breeds such as the Belgian Malinois. You’ll need to apply to adopt a dog through Vegas Shepherd Rescue. Let the team know about your experience with dogs as well as your household and your current pets.
A home visit is required, so you must contact the shelter about whether there is a volunteer available in your area. The shelter does adopt out-of-state. Adoption fees range from $225 to $400, but you will most likely pay $350 for your dog. Vegas Shepherd Rescue will not adopt to households with children under 13 years of age, but homes with other pets are considered.
Your dog will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, and otherwise medically treated. Once approved to adopt a puppy, look at the working dogs available through this shelter. You’ll find plenty of pictures and a detailed description of your dog’s personality; this can assist you in finding a good match for your household.
Vegas Shepherd Rescue Details
- Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
- Telephone: (702) 706-7437
- Website: Vegas Shepherd Rescue
8. Bay Area German Shepherd Rescue
Like several other shelters on this list, Bay Area German Shepherd Rescue focuses efforts on rehoming working dogs. While the name implies that the team only takes in German shepherds, the reality is that Belgian Malinois puppies are available quite frequently. Check the list of adoptable puppies to find your next pet. You can apply to adopt online.
The shelter team wants to know about your lifestyle and home; this will allow them to make an educated decision about the right dog for you. Once your application has been reviewed, Bay Area German Shepherd Rescue will contact you to request pictures of your home. Only when the approval is finalized should you begin searching for your new puppy. You can expect to pay $400 to adopt your Belgian Malinois.
If your puppy isn’t spayed or neutered, a $200 deposit is required; this deposit is refunded once you show proof that the dog has been altered. In addition to offering dogs for adoption, Bay Area German Shepherd Rescue needs individuals to foster and volunteer. This is a good way to meet the shelter dogs before you commit to adopting, and your assistance helps support the organization’s mission.
Bay Area German Shepherd Rescue Details
- Location: California
- Website: Bay Area German Shepherd Rescue
9. Rescue Garage
Last on the list of the best Belgian Malinois rescues in the United States is “Rescue Garage.” Rescue Garage is a Florida-based rescue that takes in Belgian Malinois and other at-risk dogs. Many dogs that are available through this shelter have been abused or neglected, so be sure you take the time to meet your puppy before adoption day.
You may also choose to foster a dog or volunteer with the shelter to get to know the puppies better. The adoption process begins when you fill out an application. Let the team know about your family, home, and experience with other dogs.
You may be required to agree to a home visit. Once approved, it’s time to choose a dog to adopt. On the Rescue Garage website, you can view the adoptable puppies (and cats). There you’ll find a biography of each dog and a bit about your dog’s history.
General details about the dog’s needs are available; you’ll need to contact the Rescue Garage team with specific questions. The adoption fee will vary depending upon the breed, size, health, and age of the dog you’re bringing home with you. Before going home with you, all dogs will be spayed or neutered and have been nose-to-tail checked by a veterinarian.
Rescue Garage Details
- Location: North Port, Florida
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Rescue Garage
Conclusion For The “Best Belgian Malinois Rescues in the United States”
The Belgian Malinois is a large breed frequently trained for service in law enforcement and the military. Because of their size and strength, these puppies are often surrendered to shelters. Worse, the breed is subject to use in dog fighting.
You can help rehabilitate these gorgeous dogs when you adopt them from a Belgian Malinois rescue. After researching the breed and determining that a Malinois is right for you, use this list of shelters to begin your search for a forever friend.
For more guides similar to this list of Belgian Malinois rescues in the United States, you can check out these other rescue shelter recommendations:
- Best Golden Retriever Rescues in the United States
- Best Bernedoodle Rescues in the United States
- Best Toy Poodle Rescues in the United States
Before you adopt a Belgian Malinois companion from a rescue shelter in the United States, you can learn more about this dog breed by watching “The Pros and Cons of Owning a Belgian Malinois” down below:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=rCuNF_vGdMA
Dr. Sabrina Kong graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in England in 2016 and has been working at a small animal clinic in Northern California since then. She grew up in the Bay Area and got her bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She also became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner through a program at the University of Tennessee.
When she isn’t in the clinic taking care of her four-legged patients, she enjoys traveling and trying new foods with her friends and her three-legged dog, Apollo. She adopted Apollo from her clinic when he was a puppy with numerous health issues. Dr. Kong truly cares about taking care of animals.