Innocent Paws

Innocent Paws is een rescue op Malta, die verwaarloosde honden helpt, en ze weer een gelukkig en gezond leven geeft die ze verdienen. Als ze helemaal hersteld zijn zoeken ze een liefdevol en fijn thuis voor ze.

My name is Maria D’Amato, I’m 35 years old from Malta, a mum to my 8-month-old baby girl, and a profound animal activist with a deep passion for rescuing and helping animals, especially dogs. For the past 17 years, I have dedicated my life to rescuing, caring for, and fighting for the voiceless, driven by the alarming amount of abandonment, neglect, and abuse we face in Malta. I am the founder of Innocent Paws Malta, a small NGO that works tirelessly to give a second chance to dogs in need.
When I take on a case, I commit myself entirely — ensuring that every dog under my care receives everything they need, from the very first moment of rescue to medical care, rehabilitation, and eventually rehoming. I believe in quality over quantity, as each dog for me is an individual soul with their own emotions and story. Throughout the years, I have rescued more than 2,500 dogs of all kinds, but my soft spot remains for senior dogs — those who need a loving home to live their golden years with dignity.
My biggest weakness is that I am too soft and an overthinker, often carrying the emotional weight of every dog I rescue. I find myself diving deep into their emotions, trying to heal not only their physical wounds but their broken souls too. As hard as this journey is, I cannot imagine myself living any other way — because Maria without rescuing is not Maria. Despite the emotional toll, heartbreak, and constant struggles, rescuing animals is not just something I do — it’s who I am.

The urgency we face is overwhelming, with many cases needing immediate action to prevent dogs from suffering or being put down. Unfortunately, the lack of space, slow adoption rates, and limited resources often leave me feeling helpless. However, no matter how difficult it gets, my love and devotion towards these innocent souls keeps me going, because every life matters, and every dog deserves a second chance.