About New Zealand Chihuahua Rescue:
New Zealand Chihuahua Rescue ("NZCR") is a registered Charitable Trust (no. CC55119) founded in 2017, after a need for a rescue dedicated specifically to the re-homing of Chihuahuas and Chihuahua crosses was identified. Although we are based in Christchurch, New Zealand. NZCR operate throughout the entirety of New Zealand. We receive in dogs from local Pounds and other Rescues, private homes, kennels and breeders. We also aim to educate the public on our breed, the importance of de-sexing and prevalence of irresponsible breeding of Chihuahuas. Our Trustees and foster carers are all volunteers - they are however paid in an abundance of doggy cuddles, gratitude and love!
About Our Trustees:
Our Trustees, Casey and Alex, from Christchurch, New Zealand, have a background in dog showing, as exhibitors of smooth coat Chihuahuas.
Outside of Rescue, both Trustees work full time. Casey and Alex regularly foster dogs that come into care and also have their own "pack" of Chihuahuas which star on the Chihuahua Rescue Instagram!
Both Casey and Alex have a passion for the breed as a whole and their goal is to assist as many dogs as possible, in finding their new safe, loving, homes.
What type of dogs do NZCR take in?
Chihuahuas, Chi-crosses and toy breeds when we have the capacity to do so! There is no age limit, they can be in any medical or mental state.
We do not judge former owner's reasons for needing to re-home their dog, it is often out of genuine necessity and selflessness that former owners or Breeders contact us for assistance. We pride ourselves on remaining non-judgmental, understanding and discreet for those concerned about their privacy.
** We are happy to confidentially assist with finding new homes for dogs. They do not need to appear on our social media or website if this is your preference.
We also offer assistance to Breeders and Dog Exhibitors who wish to re-home their ex-breeding dogs or retired show dogs, into happy pet "retirement" homes. As a Rescue, we support DogsNZ registered or accredited breeders and do not seek to "demonize" breeders as a whole. We offer friendly, confidential, assistance to anyone who requires it.
For more information about our organization see the following links:
Facebook Discussion Group
Instagram
Wanting to Help New Zealand Chihuahua Rescue?
Please see the below links for ideas as to how you can assist our Charity. We are a small rescue that is 100% run by volunteers. We rely solely upon donations and sponsorship from supporters. If you would like to make a donation or to inquire as to ways to assist us, please see below.
Westpac New Zealand Chihuahua Rescue Trust Account:
03-0823-0074502-000
As we are a registered charity, tax on donations is able to be claimed back. If you would like a receipt to submit to the IRD simply email us your full name, address and the amount donated and we will email you a receipt.
What does the New Zealand Chihuahua Rescue Trust do?
When we receive a surrender request, the Managing Trustee discusses the dog with the Owner for their “quirks” and they are placed with a knowledgeable foster carer while they receive any necessary medical treatments (including de-sexing) which is funded by the Trust.
Our Trustees work with a team of wonderful foster carers to facilitate the aims of the Trust. Once dogs are placed in care, our foster carers set about shaping them into stable, well-adjusted, social pets. Our carers then report back as to their progress and who they recommend would be the best fit in terms of potential Adopters for that particular dog.
We involve the foster carers in this process as they are the ones who are best placed to assess the personality of the dog in their care and its needs.
We then advertise the dog and set about the process of vetting applicants. It is our view that the dogs should get matched to the people who would best suit their individual needs – hence our application form is long! It is not a case of first in, first served. We owe a duty of care to the dogs that have been surrendered to us. We are always happy to accept them back into the care of the Trust.
We are not afraid of a challenge and receive in all kinds of dogs. In our view, no situation is too hopeless. We take in dogs who appear feral and work with them to rehabilitate and prepare them for their new forever home, together with receiving in strays and Pound dogs. We do not euthanize any dogs surrendered to us for behavioral issues – in fact, we expect them! Any dogs that cannot be safely re-homed will become part of our "forever pack".
NZCR also educate the public on Chihuahua welfare issues, irresponsible breeding, the importance of de-sexing and general care information. We attend many public events throughout the Country to spread awareness of our cause and assist in the facilitation of the below aims.
The aims of our Charity are as follows:
- To rescue Chihuahuas from situations of neglect and abuse and place them in suitable foster care arrangements and/or permanent homes.
- To collect and re-home Chihuahuas which are unclaimed and due to be euthanized from Council Pounds in the areas in which the Trust is operating.
- To provide facilities and resources to assist in the control of the population of unwanted Chihuahuas by de-sexing those placed in the Trust’s care.
- To raise funds for to benefit of Chihuahuas in the care of the Trust, as required.
- To prevent, by education or other means, irresponsible breeding and ownership of the breed and educate the public as to how the breed should be best cared for, so that there are less Chihuahuas surrendered to be re-homed.
New Zealand Chihuahua Rescue also assist other small or toy breeds when we have the capacity to do so. Please inquire via the contact us form.
New Zealand Chihuahua Rescue in the Media
See below for some articles, television and radio interviews on our Trust. To contact NZCR about media inquiries please use the "contact us" form or email noted above.