Mara, a calm mixed-breed tan dog rescued from the streets of Lantau Island, has been overlooked at 25 adoption events and remains without a home. Second missing dog from Hong Kong’s Po Lin Monastery found and …

The rescue group Team for Animals in Lantau South and volunteers with TAILS are caring for 12 animals on the island, including one dog: Mara. Rescuers first encountered her in summer 2023, and her heartworm treatment began in October 2024 as she waits for a permanent family.

When volunteers first met Mara in summer 2023, she was sitting quietly beside café-style chairs, a behavior that volunteers say showed a surprising calm after life on village streets. The dog is estimated to be around 4 years old and is described as affectionate and strongly bonded to people; rescuers have nicknamed her “super mom” after several litters. However, adult dogs like Mara face significant challenges in finding homes, and research consistently shows they are adopted at much lower rates than puppies, with adult-dog adoption rates often substantially below those for puppies. adoption rates for older dogs

Carina Milligan, Director of TAILS, said the dog’s age works against her in adoption settings. “It is always harder for adult dogs to get adopted,” Milligan said. She added that once placed, adult dogs form rapid and deep attachments to new families: “Once they find [loving homes], you will see how quickly they will appreciate it and the bond will be as strong within those first few weeks as it would have been if you’d taken them in from birth.” This sentiment aligns with the many benefits of adopting an adult dog, as potential owners typically have a clearer sense of the dog’s personality, energy level, and size, making it easier to find a suitable match.

Mara’s medical needs have been addressed while she remains in foster care. Her heartworm treatment began in October 2024, a step rescuers say is necessary before she can be settled into a long-term placement. Milligan noted the practical side of matching Mara with adopters: “Having lived on the streets, she is used to having the freedom to run around all day, so she needs a family who can continue to give her regular exercise and time outdoors.” This reflects a broader concern among shelters, which often struggle to promote adult dogs due to public misconceptions and a general preference for puppies. What are some common challenges faced by animal shelters in promoting adult dog.

Volunteers describe Mara as content to be near people and eager for attention: “She just wants to spend as much time as possible with her humans,” Milligan said. Despite that temperament, Mara has been passed over repeatedly at adoption events, a pattern that volunteers say reflects broader challenges in finding homes for adult dogs. Potential adopters may have fears about unknown behaviors or training needs with adult dogs, which can prevent them from seeing the advantages of adopting a dog that’s already house-trained and requires less intensive supervision.

Team for Animals in Lantau South continues to promote Mara at community events across the island and through foster networks. The group is among the local efforts handling animals rescued from village streets; other regional coverage of rescue work on Lantau Island provides additional local context for those following the island’s animal welfare stories.

Rescuers and volunteers say they hope a prospective adopter will consider Mara’s steady temperament and the relatively short adjustment period Milligan describes. They emphasize the everyday realities of life with an adult dog rescued from streets: regular exercise, patience during medical treatment, and a home that welcomes a dog that already knows how to bond closely with people.

For background on why adult dogs can be harder to place, reporting and shelter guides discuss common obstacles shelters face when promoting grown dogs for adoption and ways rescues try to highlight their strengths. Encouragingly, many adopters find that the joy and companionship of an adult dog are deeply rewarding, often making up for the initial uncertainties.

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