September 21, 2026
Information
Meet Mali the Belgian Malinois!
From Rescue to Adoption: Mali’s Journey to Recovery
On the afternoon of April 14th, our Humane Law Enforcement (HLE) team, New Orleans Humane Law and Rescue, received a call from Edna Karr High School about a stray dog wandering their campus. When they arrived, a heartbreaking scene was found: a young, emaciated female chocolate-brown Belgian Malinois with her head trapped tightly inside a plastic cheese puff jar. Gasping for air, terrified, and desperate for relief, our HLE team acted quickly to safely secure the dog, remove the jar from her head, and transport her to our Orleans Parish shelter.
Upon arrival, our Animal Intake team assessed her overall condition and found her severely underweight, fearful, and avoiding eye contact. During her initial physical exam, our team found no microchip or visible collar, leaving us with no way to identify where she came from or who may have been missing her. With little known about the pup’s past, our Animal Intake team completed her initial assessment before transitioning her care to our Shelter Clinic. There, a thorough medical examination revealed that she was battling an upper respiratory infection and heartworm disease.
Though diagnosed with serious illnesses, our team immediately began the care Mali needed to start her recovery. She received her core vaccinations, treatment for her upper respiratory infection, and began her heartworm treatment. Despite being frightened throughout the ordeal, our team was impressed by her bravery and resilience named her Mali, a Welsh name meaning “little one”. This also paid tribute to her Malinois breed.
However, for several days, she remained too frightened to approach anyone! But our team refused to let her deteriorate!
With behavioral intervention led by our Behavior and Enrichment team, Mali began feeling more comfortable in her surroundings and building confidence around new people. Our Advancement team further supported her by opening their office space to her, giving her a calm environment to adjust to new faces and interactions.
Within just a few weeks, and less than a month in our care, our team worked tirelessly to find Mali the right rescue placement or forever home. Then, it happened: Mali was ADOPTED! Finally getting the happy ending she deserved, and was eventually renamed Eliza.
Make More Stories Like Mali’s Possible
Eliza’s (formerly Mali) story is one of many journeys at the Louisiana SPCA. Her recovery was made possible by our compassionate teams and generous donors, helping her move from rescue to recovery and into a new beginning. Our team estimates the total cost of Eliza’s care at approximately $1,400.
• Humane Law Enforcement: Responded to Eliza’s unsafe situation, safely rescued her and brought her into our care.
• Animal Care – Intake: Provided her with daily food, clean and comfortable housing, enrichment and compassionate care while she recovered.
• Shelter Clinic: Evaluated and treated her medical needs, helping get her healthy enough to begin her next chapter.
• Behavior & Enrichment: Helped Eliza work through fear and uncertainty, build confidence, and become more comfortable around people.
• Advancement (Admin): Provided “office fostering,” giving Mali opportunities outside her kennel to decompress and safely interact with staff in a calm environment.
• Adoptions: Helped Eliza take the final step by connecting her with a family ready to give her the loving home she deserved.
Help us give second chances to animals like Eliza by supporting the lifesaving care, unwavering patience, and critical resources needed to make a difference in the lives of animals here at the Louisiana SPCA.
Many thanks and tail wags to our partners!
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