MidAtlantic Samoyed Rescue

09/21/2026

I have a home. I want a dog.
There's a weird "entitlement" out there.
And rescue organisations and shelters are getting the brunt of it.

A rescue says no to a prospective adopter or foster home.
“They just don't want to help dogs.”

They ask for a secure property.
“I don't have one, but they won't escape.”

They won't place a particular dog in a home with children.
“My last dog was wonderful with my kids. My kids aren't a problem.”

They ask about other dogs, cats, work hours, yards, sleeping arrangements, experience and what happens when nobody is home.
“Why do they need to know all of that, that's NOT the issue here?”

They don't have a home available for a dog that's been there a while.
“Rubbish, I've offered countless times. They obviously don't want to rehome dogs"

They have to say no to more dogs coming in because every suitable home they have is full.
“Ridiculous. What are people meant to do? Letting me take that dog home would help that.”

“They just don't care.”

And somehow, whatever decision is made, the rescue ends up being the bad guy.
Are rescues above criticism?
Absolutely not.
Poor decisions can happen, even in the most respectable, well run and legitimate organisations out there.
Standards vary massively between organisations.
Some policies do deserve questioning.
Some experiences? Yep they can be genuinely frustrating, upsetting and sometimes unfair.

But there's also an enormous number of people in rescue doing incredibly difficult work. They're stretched far beyond capacity, trying to make the best decisions they can for dogs they genuinely care about

Finding a new home isn't simply about finding someone willing to open their front door.

And a home isn't just somewhere for a dog to "go".

Dogs are not blank slates.
Just because the dog you had for 16 years was incredible with children, slept happily while you worked, loved every dog they met and never tried to jump a fence doesn't mean the next dog will.

Wanting to help matters.
Having a heart that cares deeply is exactly what these organisations want.
But it cannot and must not be the only deciding factor here.

And please.
There are good reasons to say no sometimes.
That vetting process that can feel intrusive?
It's there for a reason.
Because sometimes these dogs arrive with an incomplete history.

Sometimes there is no history whatsoever.

What is known about them can change once they leave kennels and enter a home.
And sometimes the lovely person standing there saying, “I'll make it work” isn't the right home for that particular dog.

That's not an insult.
We all have limits.
Recognising them before a dog arrives is far better than discovering them afterwards.

Because placements going wrong have very real consequences.
The dog may be moved on yet again.
Another foster or home needs to be found.
Again.
The rescue has another urgent placement to organise when they are bursting, bursting at the seams.
That dog?
They're about to experience yet another change when they desperately need stability.

And the person who genuinely wanted to help can be left overwhelmed, upset and feeling as though they failed.
Nobody wins.

No one.

The people trying to pair brand-new arrivals with that precious handful of people putting their hands up?
They want those homes to succeed.
They've also seen what happens when they don't.

So perhaps we need to let a few words sink in here.
“This is about finding a dog a forever home.”

And if the answer is no?
It doesn't automatically mean they don't appreciate the offer.
It doesn't mean they don't desperately need homes.
And it certainly doesn't mean they don't care.
Sometimes caring about where a dog goes means being prepared to say no to somewhere they could go.
Because the goal isn't simply to get a dog into a home.

It's to get that dog into the right home.

If we want adopting and fostering to be about helping the dog rather than satisfying our own need to help, we have to be able to hear that.

So let the questions fly.
Think honestly about your home.
Your other animals.
Your children.
Your fencing.
Your working hours.
Your experience.
Your physical capabilities.
Your emotional capabilities.
And what you could realistically manage if the dog who arrives isn't anything like the dog you imagined.
Because, yes, that happens too.

And if the answer is no?
It may not be personal at all.
It may simply mean that this dog, in this home, at this time, isn't the right match.

Sometimes caring about dogs means saying yes.
Sometimes it means saying no.

And both can come from exactly the same place.

07/23/2026

UPDATE: if you are interested in fostering one of these (or another dog) and are new to MASR, please download & submit our adoption application. Write "FOSTER" on the application. That will help us get to know you so we can know who might be a good fit for you once we get details on these dogs.

FOSTER HOMES NEEDED! We have been contacted about 4 females and one male being given up by a puppy mill in PA. This is a fluid situation and we don't know anything more than that at the moment (eg ages, personalities, etc). We just know it's better that we get them than they get "disposed of" in ways we don't want to think about! We will need foster/adoptive homes, and possibly help transporting the dogs. If you can help, please let us know. (Foster homes in the DMV or PA areas, please. )...Pic to draw attention; this is not one of the dogs currently in need.

07/21/2026

ATTENTION MARYLAND RESIDENTS: how would you like to own this license plate? The individual who has owned them for the last 25+ years is willing to give up the rights as a fundraiser for MASR. Bidding starts at $75 and will close this Sunday, July 25, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern time. To bid, comment on this original post. (Comments not made on this original post will not be seen.). Bids must be made in full dollar amounts....the winning bidder will need to meet with the current owner at the DMV in Annapolis to make the transfer at an agreed upon, mutually convenient time. (Any MD transfer or registration fees are the responsibility of the new owner.)

Please help us by sharing this post so we can reach more people. Happy bidding and please be generous! 😉

07/17/2026

Do we have anyone who is a graphic designer or illustrator who might be able to help us with a small fundraising project? It shouldn't be hard or take much time or effort. (Picture just to draw attention, and well, cuz she's cute!).

07/14/2026

Ember is an 18-month-old female looking for a home to call her own. She is spayed, up to date on shots, and heartworm negative. She's housetrained and crate-trained. She's great with other dogs -- always up for a game, but not a pest and settles well. She loves to take walks or go for rides in the car, but her absolute favorite is to snuggle up next to you on a couch or bed for some petting and one-on-one time! She is an excellent afternoon nap buddy!! She is a little unsure in new surroundings/new situations, but warms up quickly, especially if there is another dog from whom she can take her cues. For that reason, we think she would do best in a home with another dog who can be her playmate/mentor. Is that with you?!

05/06/2026

Meet Ember. This 15-month old cutie is a bundle of puppy energy who is looking for her forever home. She has been with us a while -- she was underweight & losing fur, so we wanted to get to the bottom of what was going on before placing her. Turns out she had Lyme disease. She has finished her month-long course of antibiotics which seems to have done the trick, as she's now at a good weight and her coat is coming in nicely. She is a shy girl who needs someone who will give her a chance to warm up in new situations and help her build confidence. She is good with other dogs & we want to place her in a home that already has another dog(s) in residence as she draws a lot of confidence from the other dogs at her foster home and takes her cues from them. She is not good with cats. She is sweet with all people, but would prefer to be in a home with kids aged 8 and up as toddlers / young children are too unpredictable in their movements for her.

If you are interested in adopting Ember, please download and submit an application at www.samrescue.com

02/24/2025

12/11/2024

10/08/2024

Meet Ades. We were told she was a Samoyed (by a Samoyed owner, no less!), and she looked like one from her pictures, so we agreed to take her. Now that we have her, we are pretty sure this girl is a Sammy-Siberian husky mix. Whatever her parentage, she’s a sweet, playful girl who is looking for her forever home. She’s about 4 years old. House and crate trained. Knows basic obedience. Loves every person she’s met and every dog too! She’s great with the other Samoyeds at her foster home, but can be “a bit much” for a couple smaller dogs who have come to visit — it’s not aggressive behavior, more that she doesn’t know her own size/strength or realize she needs to self-regulate with smaller dogs; she’s fine meeting them when out on a walk, but is not recommended to share living space full time with a small dog (or cats for the same reason). She LOVES to go for walks and if given leeway to do so, will try to get the person walking her to go the longer route every time. 🤣. She would love to join an active family/person who would take her for long walks/hikes, or let her try her paw at bikejoring, lure coursing, cani-cross, etc, but her number 1 request is to be an adored companion to an individual or family who is looking for their new best friend. Is that with you?

09/26/2024

We have an “honorary Samoyed” we are helping who needs a home. Crosby is a 9 year old doodle/poodle mix (best guess) whose former owner is an elderly man who is no longer able to take care of him. He’s about 25-30 lbs, neutered, heartworm negative and up to date on shots. He’s good with other dogs, unknown with cats (but we can cat test if needed). He’s good with adults and older kids he’s met in the neighborhood; we haven’t seen him with toddlers or preschool-ages kids, but has been fine with 8 and up. He loves to go for walks, but mostly just wants someone he can hang out with — he’s a “Goose” looking for a “Maverick”.