Many stories are behind why animals wind up in dog shelters. A majority of these animals were simply on the streets, cold, left by their owners, and hungry. Some of them were turned in simply because their owners could no longer support them. Perhaps the owner needs to relocate for a new job, or the family purse has taken a plunge in spending capacity, or new projects at work mean less time at home. Some interesting stories, too. Such as dogs that walk up to rescue operators in the parking lot. But the majority of stories involve animal abuse and neglect. Regardless of how they came to the shelter, the shelter’s staff, and perhaps the animals themselves, hope that one day these animals find a good owner with a big heart, big enough to love them.

Some shelters focus on helping a particular breed, such as a Chihuahua rescue, which aims to help out stray or abandoned Chihuahuas. Because animal shelter resources are tight and given the high portion of dogs abandoned being Chihuahuas, don’t be surprised if this small breed, lots of them, are being considered for euthanasia. If big dogs can be neglected, a neglected small dog is defenseless against just about anything – cars, cruel kids, the cold weather. But those operating a Chihuahua rescue are knowledgeable about this breed’s particular behavioral and physiological needs.

If you’re new to taking care of this breed, and you plan to adopt one from a rescue, your best crash course source is the rescue staff, who will be happy to provide all the info they can.

A majority of Chihuahua rescues are small organizations, and to augment their material resources, they maintain a handful of foster homes that take care of these Chihuahuas until they can find an owner. This is good for the dog, actually. Foster homes allow the dog’s caretakers to provide individual care and allow the dog to get accustomed to living in a home environment. The dogs get to be more relaxed in this home setting, they can be themselves. It’s different when you compare dogs at adoption centers, where dogs can be recluse, quiet, or aggressive, and not the playful and bouncy little dogs they can be in foster homes.

Be sure to talk to the staff when you’re adopting, since they have observed the dogs over a length of time, and are familiar with the dog’s personality and potential problems. The staff can brief you which dogs are good with kids, and which dogs need more work, behaviorally, before they can be less withdrawn from or aggressive to people and other pets.

Adopting a dog from a rescue is not only humane, but it also helps the shelter be ready to help other dogs. So please consider how much help you’ll be providing to the shelter, how much love you can give to an adult Chihuahua, and how humane this set up really is. If you have room in your life for such a small breed with a big and loyal personality, then by all means adopt a friend from a Chihuahua rescue.

If there’s a Chihuahua rescue near your area, you may find it more convenient to phone them and give them a visit. They can brief you about all you need to know when it comes to taking care of an adult Chihuahua. If you prefer adult dogs to raising them as pups, and if you love the small loyal breed, then visiting a Chihuahua rescue may be a great experience for you.