"Bella"

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Interested in Bella? Please read the full profile below and especially the adopter requirements. If you think that you may be a match, please submit an Adoption Application and let us know why!

Arrived back in NZCR care: 16/04/2023

DOB: 21/11/2012 (10 years old)

Sex: Female 

Breed: Chihuahua (Smooth Coat)

De-Sexed: Yes.

Micro-chipped: Yes. 

Registered with NZCAR: Yes.

Vaccinated: Yes.

DogsNZ (NZKC): No.

Council Registered: Yes - Christchurch City Council.

Cat Friendly: Confident cats only.

Child Friendly: Older children.

Human Sociable: Yes.

Dog Sociable: Yes, read below.

* TBC = "To be confirmed" 

Background: 

Bella is a private surrender who first came into our care on 17/03/21. Her former owners were renting and having trouble finding housing but also  felt that since they had a baby, Bella received less attention. 

Bella was adopted from us on 06/05/2021. However, we were contacted recently as Bella's Adopter began having health issues. This time Bella is looking for her happily ever after!

Personality:

Introducing Bella, a little bundle of love in search of her forever best friend! 

Bella is a gorgeous little dog with a gentle and affectionate nature. She is known for her snuggliness, and ability to develop a deep bond with her humans! 

Sometimes, she may be initially cautious with strangers, but we're actively working on boosting her confidence around new faces.

Bella's sassy side adds a touch of character. Bella does require an owner who has some experience or knowlege with dogs and training. So they can establish clear boundaries - all the more easier considering Bella is highly food motivated.

Given Bella's history of having daytime company, she's not suited for a home where she'll be left alone for extended periods.

In terms of cats and other dogs, prior Bella was a solo dog and would be OK as a solo dog again. Bella was successfully fostered with confident cats (who have lived with other dogs) and other Chihuahuas successfully. We noticed after she returned this year that she regressed socially but since being in care, with support, rules and boundaries she now successfully co-habitates with other dogs and confident cats. Not suitable to be around birds.

We think she would benefit from being with a similar age and energy dog in the home. Bella would be OK with a doggy-confident cat. But it is important Bella isn't paired with a timid or shy cat, as if they're prone to running away, she'll chase them and this will compromise her trial.

Bella can sometimes be initially standoffish with new dogs, so a gradual introduction and proper integration helps her warm up and form positive relationships. Bella isn't overly affectionate or playful to other dogs. But she has co-existed with Chihuahuas in foster care, provided structured interactions and clear expectations were in place. Bella can sometimes display a little possessive behavior, so she will need someone capable and confident redirecting and maintaining boundaries. Bella attends a small dog playgroup and socializes well with the other dogs and humans there, receiving pats and treats from strangers.

It's important to note that Bella experiences anxiety around young children and requires a few weeks to acclimate to them. Therefore, we recommend a home with either no young children present or visiting often, or kids older than six years. During her time in care, Bella has transitioned to crate training. 

Health: 

Bella has been medically assessed and had a new dental completed on 27/04/2023. 

Bella came into the Rescue overweight but is now down to 3.1kg. Bella, like many Chihuahuas, has a luxating patella. However as she's not a surgical candidate, it's important to ensure she maintains a healthy weight. Please read more under “breed information”. Bella currently takes a 4Cyte supplement for joints (0.5ml per day) and Metacam as needed.

Bella will be flea and worm treated every 3 months while in trust care, to be continued by the Adopter. 

 
Bella will be adopted out de-sexed, vaccinated up to date, micro-chipped (with the chip registered with the NZ Companion Animal Register and the local Council) as all of our dogs are.

Help us to Help Bella!

New Zealand Chihuahua Rescue is a New Zealand Registered Charity run completely by volunteers. Nobody is paid to participate in our Rescue and 100% of the profits go back into the dogs in our care and community dogs needing assistance. We receive no public funding or grants. Our entire income to assist these dogs is derived from kind donations, sponsorship and fundraising projects. We are always short of money and it impacts how many dogs we can assist as each dog that comes into care needs some form of medical and/or behavioral assistance!

If you could help by donating to Bella's cause, all donations, small or large, help us to help her! Please also contact us for a receipt and you can receive 33.33% of your donation back from the IRD.

Donations can be made via: 

The New Zealand Chihuahua Rescue Westpac Trust Account:

03-0823-0074502-000 

Ref: "Bella"

By credit or debit card to our GiveALittle: 

https://givealittle.co.nz/org/nz-chihuahua-rescue-trust

Adopter Requirements:  

• If you have another dog, or a cat, you must be based in Canterbury. The reason being that Bella will need to be trialed closer to our Rescue in a household with other pets due to the above.

• If you have no pets, we ARE willing to consider applicants further away, provided you meet all other requirements. You will need to travel to meet Bella here in Christchurch, and engage a local trainer to assist with integration. 

• Other pets - Cats wise: please read the above under personality. Bella would be OK with cats provided they are doggy-comfortable and have lived with dogs prior. Please don't apply for Bella if you know you have a scared or timid cat. Dogs wise: please read above details under personality. Not to be homed with birds.

• Bella needs someone home often who can spend sufficient time with her. Bella is not a match for full-part time (out of home) workers if there will be no one at home to keep her company. Bella needs someone very part-time, or who is retired (yet active) or who works from home (permanently). Bella would be OK left with a doggy companion for a few hours per day, or while you run errands however.

• Adopter must have a safe, fully fenced area for toileting Bella with no holes or gaps she could escape from. For those living in rural properties: a small fenced in yard would be sufficient, we don't expect that the whole property needs to be entirely fenced (If not sure whether you would quality, please email us!)

• Any kids in the home must be over 6 years old and be doggy-knowledgeable. 

• Bella needs someone able to implement strict boundaries and training - so doggy knowledge is essential. Someone who used to engage in obedience or agility but now just wants a companion would be ideal as Bella would thrive with someone who can give strict boundaries and training. Bella is not a match for an owner who would consider themselves "soft" as it wouldn't be best for her. But a great companion for someone able to put consistent rules and boundaries in place.

PLEASE NOTE: Before applying for our dogs, please do read the above adopter requirements and ensure that you meet these. We are very clear about the homes we are seeking. We set the adopter requirements after consultation with the foster carers and consideration of the dogs, needs, welfare and personality. They are strict requirements - no exceptions. Please do not submit an application if you do not meet the above, we will simply respond to confirm the application is declined. Unfortunately, at times this has been the case and we have had to disappoint prospective adopters. This is why we are clear about our requirements prior and note them above.

Adoption Fee: $350.00 to be paid to the NZCR trust account no. 03-0823-0074502-000

 

PLEASE NOTE - RE: THE ADOPTION FEES AND TRIALS: Our adoption fees are determined by taking into account age of the dog, overall health and funds expended to date on that particular dog. The trust uses these adoption fee funds on: de-sexing surgery, micro-chip and NZCAR registration, vaccines, Council registration, flea and worm treatments, plus any other essentials dogs require such as specialist medications or food, blood-testing, orthopedic surgeries etc. and any other dog disposables required for dogs in care. Please note: sorry we do not accept payment plans, as we need to be sure adopters are able to financially support dogs prior to adoption - sorry, no exceptions. Please note: the deposit needs to be made to the trust account prior to the changeover date of the dog going on trial. We do not accept cash payments on the date. The full100% of all adoption fees go towards  the dogs in the care of the Trust.