Home > Out of the Cage! > November 2004 > New York Breed Rescue Network (NYBRN): An Interview with Joan Garvin of Metropolitan Maltese Rescue

New York Breed Rescue Network (NYBRN)

An Interview with Joan Garvin of Metropolitan Maltese Rescue

"How hard could this be? Who would give up a Maltese?"

When Joan Garvin and a cadre of fellow Maltese enthusiasts — the founders of Metropolitan Maltese Rescue — first asked those questions in late 1998, they hadn't a clue. But five years — and nearly 500 dogs — later, these seasoned rescuers, widely known as "MetroMalts," and one of the founding member groups of the New York Breed Rescue Network (NYBRN) of the Mayor's Alliance, can speak volumes on the subject.

In the following in-depth interview with Joan, she talks about the Maltese breed, the origins of NYC's first and only Maltese rescue group, and the challenges and rewards of rescuing and finding permanent homes for orphaned Maltese.

How did MetroMalts come to be?

Several years ago, a small group of NYC Maltese dog lovers met through the Internet and got together on occasion for play dates. In late 1998, an urgent e-mail began to circulate about a local shelter that had taken in a large number of Maltese from a backyard breeder. Although it turned out to be a rumor, a few of us asked, "Where's Maltese rescue?" wondering why no such group existed in a city this size.

We decided then to start our own group. Being extremely naïve, we thought, "How hard could this be? Who would give up a Maltese?" Five years and nearly five hundred dogs later, we are older, wiser, and a little stunned over what we've been able to accomplish.

How would you describe the breed?

Maltese are wonderful companions, but certainly not for everyone. They need lots of time and attention; do poorly with young children; and require frequent grooming. This breed has become increasingly popular over the years. While they are extremely cute in the arms (and handbags) of celebrities like Britney Spears and Elizabeth Taylor, Maltese are not accessories or toys. They are DOGS! We think of them as German Shepherds in miniature packages. They need to be trained and to understand their place in the pack, like any other canine.

In your words, why is MetroMalts important to the community?

We bring wonderful people together with wonderful animals. The human/canine bond is so strong, particularly with rescue dogs when they find a guardian with a loving heart. We are committed to making this miracle happen with every dog we meet.

We have also had many cases where guardians are compelled to surrender their dogs for reasons beyond anyone's control, such as death, divorce, or physical disability. We provide a valued service for those people who truly want the best for their dogs, and they're relieved to know that an organization like MetroMalts exists.

We have a good reputation with many local shelters, including AC&C, from whom we are able to take in the Maltese who might be less adoptable due to age or health concerns. We are able to provide the time and resources that are not available to shelters taking in a high volume of animals. We are pleased to say that more than 50 percent of our dogs come from shelters, and many dogs are seniors (more than 10 years old). Every one of our adopters feels privileged and blessed to welcome these special beings into their homes.

Do you accept breeds other than Maltese, or dogs from outside New York City?

We confine our rescue efforts to Maltese and Maltese-mixes, within two hours of NYC. This is the breed we know best in terms of training, health issues, and placement.

Does MetroMalts have a shelter, or are all of your dogs cared for by foster families?

No, we do not have a shelter; all the dogs are cared for in private homes until they are adopted.

Roughly how many dogs does MetroMalts care for each month?

Since mid-1999, we have taken in and placed nearly 500 dogs. Each month we take in approximately eight to 10 dogs, and adopt out about that same number. All of our dogs are in foster care throughout the tri-state area. We normally have between 20 and 30 dogs in foster care at any one time.

Is it true that MetroMalts rescues and re-homes cats?

We do not normally re-home cats. But many of our volunteers are involved in other rescue efforts, including cats, other dog breeds, shelter work, and the like. We try to help find homes for these animals on occasion through our network and Internet presence. While MetroMalts has limited its focus to Maltese and Maltese-mixes in the tri-state area, we are first and foremost lovers of all animals.

How did the NY Breed Rescue Network come about?

MetroMalts took the leadership role in forming the NY Breed Rescue Network. The idea came about at a Mayor's Alliance seminar on adoptions. We knew that our main issues were much different from those of shelters, being an all-volunteer, grassroots organization with no central location. Our Board Member, Christina Darnowski, came up with the idea of a breed rescue network within the Mayor's Alliance. The leadership of the Mayor's Alliance agreed that the formation of a sub-coalition made sense. So the NY Breed Rescue Network was formed, and MetroMalts is an active participant.

What led MetroMalts to join the Mayor's Alliance, and how do you feel about its association with the Alliance?

We are advocates of the idea that the animal rescue issue is a community problem, not the sole responsibility of a central shelter system. We also believe that, as a grassroots organization, we have much to learn from other larger and more professional organizations, like the ASPCA, Animal Haven, BARC, and the Humane Society of New York — all founding organizations of the Mayor's Alliance.

We are very impressed with the leadership of the Mayor's Alliance. Their adoption events give us important venues to spread the word about MetroMalts. Their formation of NY Breed Rescue Network has demonstrated willingness to support new ideas. We have received help on a moment's notice to get animals out of shelters — be it transport or a funding need. The information seminars sponsored by the Mayor's Alliance have made us a more professional organization.

Last, but not least, the Mayor's Alliance gives us that "Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval" when approaching individual donors or major funding sources.

Our association with the Mayor's Alliance has been all benefit, no drawbacks. Our city is lucky that such an organization exists.

How do you feel about working with, and taking animals from, AC&C?

MetroMalts gets about 50 percent of our dogs from AC&C. We have had a long-standing relationship with the organization. We know that the shelter normally gets the "hard luck" cases. We feel it is our role to take these dogs in, rehabilitate them, and get them to delighted adopters.

Many MetroMalts members (including several board members) have been volunteers at AC&C over the years — an activity we support and encourage. We believe it is important that our members understand the entire rescue picture, as well as the problems confronted by a shelter that takes in thousands of animals each month.

What makes MetroMalts unique?

Our group is small, yet a proud and vital part of the rescue solution in NYC. We are concerned about all animals, but choose to limit our resources to one breed and geographic region. We work, however, not in a vacuum, but in conjunction with shelters and rescue groups in our community.

Our mission and vision confirm this belief: Metropolitan Maltese Rescue is a (503)(c)(3) non-profit corporation, dedicated to placing homeless Maltese and Maltese-mixes in loving, responsible, permanent homes. Our vision is to be an active partner of a no-kill community where there are no homeless pets.

Can you describe your volunteer program, and any other programs in place?

MetroMalts currently has more than 100 volunteers throughout the tri-state area. We have many activities that are satisfying work for our volunteers and vital to the organization. Our Case Manager program, for example, is one where our Board approves volunteers with particular animal and/or fostering experience to be Case Managers. These individuals partner with our foster volunteers on a one-to-one basis to resolve any problems. They provide general support and encouragement to the foster volunteers; screen applicants; work with the foster on choosing the best home; coordinate the adoption process; and follow-up post adoption with the new family.

Any unusual or particularly heartwarming story about an animal MetroMalts has helped?

Let me tell you about The Island Girls.

In September, more than 25 small, "white" dogs were taken from a home in Brooklyn when the 90-year-old owner called the AC&C to let them know that she could no longer care for the pets after her 96-year-old spouse died. The shelter personnel walked in to find dogs who had never been outside, never seen a vet or been neutered, huddled in urine-soaked and feces-matted clumps.

The AC&C worked diligently to get the dogs to rescue as quickly as possible. They were mostly Bichons and Poodles, but four were Maltese. Pat Anderson, the New Hope Coordinator for the Manhattan shelter, worked with Beth Savage, MetroMalts' vice president, on intake.

We named the girls Aruba, Bali, Capri, and Moorea — "The Island Girls" — in hopes of new, carefree lives.

Despite their lack of socialization and medical care, these girls are in relatively "okay" health. The most amazing revelation is that these dogs are as sweet as can be. We put them through multiple baths and shaved them to the skin, yet all they could do was kiss us as if to say, "Thank you!" Never a whimper, snarl, nor indication of complaint — although they were, understandably, pretty timid at first.

We are pleased to say that all four of these girls have blossomed and are soon to have happy endings. Aruba (whose back legs don't work, but gets around just fine) and Bali (totally blind, but also gets around great with her keen sense of hearing and smell) have been adopted by their foster moms. Capri (who had mammary tumors — thankfully benign) and Tinkerbelle (formerly known as "Moorea" — blind, but that doesn't slow her down) will soon be going to their forever-after homes.

Do you have companion animals of your own?

Of course! Four little scamps: Lucca, 7 years old, from a breeder (before I knew about breed rescue); Kirby, 12 years old, a Maltese/Poodle-mix from the Manhattan AC&C; Tony, 7 years old, a Maltese/Terrier-mix from the Brooklyn AC&C; and Princess Grace, 11 years old, a Maltese/Havanese-mix from the Brooklyn AC&C.

Are there any members of your MetroMalts team you'd like to mention for our readers?

Yes, I'd like to thank our board members: Beth Savage, vice president; Kathleen McCann, treasurer; Jillayne DeYoung, secretary; Christina Darnowski, NYBRN representative; Abby Fyer, finance chairperson; Joan Yurman, board development and public relations; and Ann Eve Cunningham, fundraising chairperson.

Anything else you'd like to tell me about?

Are you kidding…isn't this enough???

To learn more about Metropolitan Maltese Rescue, view their adoptable dogs, or find out how you can support their efforts, please visit their website at www.malteserescue.com.

The New York Breed Rescue Network (NYBRN) is a sub-coalition of groups within the Mayor's Alliance who have chosen to concentrate on the placement of purebred (or nearly pure) dogs and cats. These groups view puppy mills, pet shops, and irresponsible breeders as the problem, and believe that by combining efforts toward a common goal, they will make a real difference. For a list of NYBRN member groups and links to their websites, click here.