Across the United States, animal shelters often see a wide array of dogs from different backgrounds and breeds, with mixed-breed dogs, commonly referred to as mutts, being the most prevalent.
As noted by Hudson Animal Hospital, approximately 80% of dogs in shelters nationwide are mixed-breed.
Thus, when a purebred Belgian Malinois made her way to the Arizona Humane Society, it raised eyebrows.
This particular shelter rarely encounters purebred dogs, especially not a striking breed like the Belgian Malinois.
Ellie’s Journey
Ellie, the Belgian Malinois, came to the Arizona Humane Society (AHS) after her former owner passed away.
“Ellie was brought to us as an owner surrender following the loss of her previous owner. Sadly, she had been living in hoarding conditions and required treatment for some injuries, likely resulting from dog fighting,” shared Joseph Casados, Public Relations for the Arizona Humane Society, with Newsweek.
Thanks to a dedicated medical team at the shelter’s Second Chance Animal Trauma Hospital, Ellie was quickly brought back to health.
As per Casados, they managed to heal her injuries and fix her broken teeth, and she is now in great shape.
While the Arizona shelter typically accommodates more mixed-breed dogs, Ellie is a unique addition to their intake.
“We don’t frequently see Belgian Malinois, although their popularity is on the rise. Approximately 25% of the pets that enter our facility are purebred. This trend reflects the growing issue of backyard breeding in recent times,” Casados elaborated.
The Arizona Humane Society actively engages on various social media platforms, such as TikTok, to highlight pets like Ellie and promote faster adoptions.
A video featuring two-year-old Ellie calmly sitting in her kennel showcased her adorable personality, leading to a rapid adoption.
“It’s not every day you see a Belgian Malinois at our shelter! Ellie is available for just $49 for a limited time. Come visit this sweet girl at our South Mountain campus,” read the TikTok video’s caption.
@azhumanesociety It’s not every day we see a Belgian Malinois at our shelter! Ellie is $49 for a limited time. Come meet this sweet girl at our South Mountain campus🥰 #arizonahumanesociety #azhumanesociety #belgianmalinoisoftiktok #shelterdogsoftiktok ♬ Oh my god what is that – Funny memes
Ellie’s Permanent Home
Not long after the video was posted, Ellie caught fire online, drawing thousands of views and significant attention.
In light of the increased interest, the shelter communicated in the comments that Ellie needs an owner experienced with her breed.
“We appreciate all the love and concern for sweet Ellie! True to her breed, she is an active and intelligent girl. Ellie will thrive in an energetic family and will need to meet all other dogs in her new household,” they noted.
Many viewers resonated with this, one commenter expressed, “Wonderful dogs, but they are not suitable for everyone. I hope this lovely dog finds the right home.”
It is indeed true – Belgian Malinois are remarkably intelligent dogs, but they are also very energetic and require ample physical and mental engagement, which makes them more suitable for seasoned dog owners.
Fortunately, Ellie found her forever home just one day after the video was posted, marking a significant triumph. We hope she has discovered her happiness and will never have to return to a shelter again.
Nevertheless, while this lovely girl was adopted swiftly, the Arizona shelter, like many others nationwide, is facing a painful capacity crisis.
With their compassionate no-kill policy, they are striving to save and find homes for as many animals as they can, but they need your support.
If you can, please donate or adopt one of their many available dogs at the shelter.
