Maybe you can’t give this high-energy dog the exercise they need. But there is someone out there who can. Here’s how to find them.
by Dahlia Ghabour, | April 23, 2025
Izemphoto / Shutterstock
Despite all the hopes you had by adopting an Alaskan Malamute, maybe things aren’t working out, after all. You may be unable to keep up with the extraordinary amount of exercise they need. Or perhaps it’s their size: Alaskan Malamutes are one of the largest breeds of dogs in the world.
Factor in their thick coats and high intelligence, and it’s pretty clear that these dogs are really best suited to experienced pet parents. It’s a tough choice to make, but if you’re unable to care for them to the best of your ability, there’s no shame in finding them a better-suited home.
If you’ve done all you can, it’s important to remember that pets are individuals, and your home might not be the right fit. Rehome by Adopt a Pet for a safe way to rehome your pet.
“Rehoming” means transferring your dog from your home to a new home where they will be happy and safe — and it’s not the same thing as abandonment. By finding a good home for your dog where their needs can be met, you are doing what is best for your dog.
Adopting your Alaskan Malamute may have seemed like a great choice at the time, but you may have discovered that your energy does not match your dog’s. Or perhaps your funds are stretched, and you can’t afford their care. Or maybe you don’t have the space to accommodate a large dog breed.
There are lots of reasons you may have decided to surrender your dog, and this is perfectly understandable. Because dogs aren’t gifts, rehoming your dog will require responsibly seeking a better-suited household to take in your pet. Rest assured, by following this guide, you can find just that.
If money is an issue, in some cases, you may be able to get financial assistance with vet bills. But if you simply can’t take care of your dog’s needs, it’s responsible to find a different home for them. Here’s how you can humanely start the rehoming process for your Alaskan Malamute.
The best home for your Alaskan Malamute may be a friend or family member you already know. Does your uncle have a large, fenced-in yard? Maybe you have a cousin who loves long weekend hikes. Start with your own network when seeking a new home for your Malamute, because your dog may already know them, and you can see the dog’s new home for yourself.
Various pet adoption sites emphasize ethical relocation, and let you list available dogs. Sites such as Rehome by Adopt a Pet offer this service and come with expert advice, helpful tools, as well as the tools to create a profile for your pet. You can screen potential adopters by asking them lots of questions, requesting references, and even creating an adoption certificate once you’ve found a great new pet parent.
On the other hand, never post your pet for free on social media or classified sites such as Facebook, Craigslist, or Nextdoor. Some people visit these sites looking for free pets for breeding, dog-fighting, and other unethical purposes. By going to an official pet adoption site, you can ensure your dog will find a home where they will be loved and nurtured.
Surrendering your Alaskan Malamute to a shelter or animal rescue should be last on your list. Start by seeking a breed-specific animal rescue, because they will often keep your dog as long as it takes to find them a new home. The Alaskan Malamute Assistance League has a list of rescue affiliates on its website, so you can search for a location near you.
Animal shelters, on the other hand, may be at capacity or unable to care for your dog. If you choose to surrender your dog to a shelter, where the chances of their adoption diminish, you’ll likely have to make an appointment, pay a fee, and sign your pet over to them.
If you need to rehome your Alaskan Malamute, you may have to pay a rehoming fee. But this depends on how you choose to rehome your pet. If you take them to a shelter, there is usually a surrender fee somewhere between $50 and $150. If you rehome to a rescue, the fee may vary from free to their particular fee. These fees generally go towards paying for the care of your dog.
A rehoming fee is paid by the person who adopts your Alaskan Malamute. It’s similar to an adoption fee and helps discourage people who may harm animals from adopting them. In contrast, a rehoming fee is seen as a reasonable investment in a dog by serious pet parents.
The average rehoming fee for your Alaskan Malamute will vary depending on the dog’s age, health, and prior vaccinations. Most fees will range between $150 and $300 for such large dogs. The Malamute rescue Polaris, for instance, charges $275 for most dogs, with a $300 fee for puppies and a $100 fee for senior dogs more than eight years old. In general, rehoming fees should never run more than $300.
You should charge a rehoming fee if you are adopting your dog to someone you don’t know well. This fee also indicates that the potential adopter can afford to care for your Malamute. However, you may consider waiving the rehoming fee if you are giving your dog to a trusted friend or family member.
Rehoming your dog can be a difficult and time-consuming process, so you may want to consider using a pet adoption site like Rehome from Adopt a Pet. This platform is a safe, efficient way to find a new home for your Alaskan Malamute, and lets you vet pet parents by reading their adoption applications. This can help you feel more at ease, especially knowing more information about each potential home.
On Rehome, you create a profile for your dog complete with photos and videos, as well as personality and temperament information. Is your Alaskan Malamute a runner, or are they particularly good with kids? These are good things to include in your profile. The more detailed the description, the better the chance your Malamute will be matched with a pet parent who’s prepared to take on the responsibilities that come with adopting this breed.
Whether or not you pay to surrender your dog will depend on how you surrender the dog. If you are surrendering your dog to a shelter or an animal rescue, you will probably have to pay a fee. (These surrender fees help pay for animal care.) But if you use a pet adoption site, such as Rehome by Adopt a Pet, you will not have to pay any fee.
You can put up your Malamute for adoption in a variety of places, including Malamute-specific rescues or sites like Rehome by Adopt a Pet. You can also surrender them to a local shelter or a general dog rescue. In general, rehoming through a reliable adoption site is safer, best for an animal’s well-being, and increases their chances of adoption.
Look up nearby shelters and call or email to see if you need to make an appointment to surrender your dog. In most cases, you will have to bring some kind of paperwork, including your dog’s medical records. Expect to pay a fee to the shelter, which helps pay for animal care. Remember that once you surrender your dog to a shelter, you have no control over their fate. There is no guarantee of adoption, and some shelters may euthanize animals if they run out of space.
Dahlia Ghabour is a Louisville, Kentucky-based freelance writer with award-winning work featured in newspapers such as the Louisville Courier-Journal and the Jacksonville Business Journal, both online and in print. Dahlia has two gray cats, a love of wildlife and zoo conservation, and a deep desire to one day pet a cheetah.
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