How we work...

All sorts of people phone to advise us of a 'lost' dog. Home owners who have had an unexpected 'visitor' turn up on their doorstep; elderly persons who have to go into a home; persons who have developed an allergy to their dogs; some council pounds give us a call if a lost dog is not claimed within the 8 days; even owners who cannot handle their dog or simply change their minds about having a Chihuahua. We get referrals from the Chihuahua Club etc as well.

We pick up the dog. We watch the dog for a few hours or days to assess the damage that has been done to the little one, and then we endeavour to treat the problem. We advertise for the owners etc. Each little dog is taken immediately to our Vet to be checked for things like heart problems, heart worms, kennel cough etc. Once we are assured there is nothing to worry about we bring the dog home and let it loose amongst the other dogs.

When we were assessed by the council to run the Chihuahua Rescue they told us we had to build little cages to keep the dogs separated. But no, we told them. This is to be a home situation for all little lost Chihuahuas. They are to be taught immediately to be sociable with the other dogs. Normally we take the new arrival into the back yard on a leash, for it's own protection and to assess the introduction. A few tail sniffs all round and 'hey presto' new dog is accepted, although still alert to any ill feeling from any one of the others! By the second day there are usually no problems.

After two weeks, if we have had no contact from advertisements for the owners of a lost Chihuahua, the Chihuahua is neutered and immunised. We commence toilet training (if they are not already toilet trained). We cuddle and kiss and reassure the baby. We worm and flea them, clean out little ears and wash little eyes, cut toe nails, brush coasts, comb out knots and matts, bath and massage. Pretty soon the new arrival reckons this is a pretty nice place to stay! No little pens and cold floors etc. At night the dogs are bedded in kennels and sheds which contain trampoline type beds, covered with big thick doonas, keeping the dogs warm and off the sometimes cold ground. They snuggle and burrow into the doonas. We have no problems with barking or crying during the night. The dogs are kept under surveillance if there is a thunderstorm or people are letting off firecrackers. Normally our little guests are so settled and happy that these problems no longer bother them.

The dogs are fed twice a day. Dried dog food in the morning and a cooked stew for their night feed, a run in the yard for an hour or so and then all are bedded in for the night.

Once the dog has been assessed as suitable for adoption, we look for a suitable new owner. These are found from responses to our advertisements, web page, other associations, word of mouth. When the prospective new owner comes to visit, we allow the dogs to choose the owner, not the other way around. It soon become very apparent which dog likes the person or not. Quite often someone will come to adopt a particular dog by description over the phone, but when they arrived the dog did not like them. The ugly little scruff was all over them, begging for love and attention. Guess what? Nine times out of ten, little scruff finds a new home through love.