"Joey"

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Overview:

• Arrived in NZCR care: 25/10/2024
• Date of Birth: 18/11/2019
• Gender: Male
• Breed: Chihuahua - Smooth Coat (suspected cross due to color and size)
• De-Sexed: Yes.
• Micro-chipped: Yes. 
• Registered with NZCAR: Yes.
• Vaccinated: Yes. 
• DogsNZ (NZKC): No 
• Council Registered: Yes - Christchurch City Council.
• Cat Friendly: dog-confident cats only.
• Child Friendly: 7 years and older.
• Human Sociable: Yes.
• Dog Sociable: Yes, small breeds only.
• TBC = "To be confirmed" 

Background:

• Joey came into care alongside Narla and their three daughters, Gwen, Lucky and Poppy. Each dog is with a seperate foster parent and we anticipate they will be adopted individually (at this stage).

• All 5 dogs have lived in a home with six children and a large breed dog. They've not been tested with cats or lived with any at their prior home. Joey is now living with doggy-confident cats and other Chihuahuas. Alll 5 dogs have been living outside for a while so we have re-introduced their toilet training.

Personality:

• Joey is a clever dog. He has quickly picked up his toilet-training  and even knows how to use a cat flap! Joey’s foster mum says, “Joey gets on well with all the dogs here, loved being fussed over by our friends teenage kids, is quite happy to stay home when I go to work or to sleep at my feet in the home office. He walks pretty well on a lead as long as he knows which way we're going, gets a bit worried if he picks the wrong direction.”

• Joey has been crate trained while in NZCR care, where he sleeps at night. Joey likes his crate and will happily take himself off to bed whenever he wants. He loves burrowing in his blanket. A week or so into his stay with NZCR, Joey has started playing with toys, running around the house with “lambie” (toy) in his mouth. 

• Joey has already learned how to live with (dog confident) cats. We know he has lived with 4 other Chihuahuas prior and he continues to have other Chihuahua-playmates in his foster home. Joey is learning not to try playing with the chickens at his foster house. He is quite energetic and playful and we think he would like someone appropriate to play with in his forever home.

• Joey was an outside dog for a while and we have noticed that he can be a bit reserved and unsure initially when it comes to going into a new house - for example, he can be wary and expect to be told off for being on the couch/bed/inside. This adjustment will come with time, once he is used to his new routine.

• Joey occasionally flops over in submission when he gets confused about what is being asked of him by his foster parents. But otherwise handling everything pretty well considering the short length of time he’s been with us.  A little more confidence and socialisation and we think that he'll make a great companion!

• The former owner describes him as: “Joey is a genuine cowboy! He loves all the attention he can get, he’s very cuddly,  He likes to sleep under the blankets. He can be a little stand offish with new people but once you sit down and he can get a good smell of you he just wants all of your attention. Joey has been an amazing dog, He can be stand offish with dogs, once he’s meet them properly he’s generally fine.” 

Health: 

• Joey had his vet assessment and vaccines updated on 13.11.2024 The only issue noted is to reduce his weight from 4.5kg to 4kg. He doesn't require any further medical treatment.

• Note: All dogs from NZCR are adopted only after being medically cleared by our vet, desexed, vaccinated, microchipped (registered with the NZ Companion Animal Register and local Council), and flea/worm treated.

Adopter Requirements: 

• While local Canterbury-based applications are preferable, Joey is a candidate for an out-of-town adoption, provided their adopter meets all of the below requirements and can travel to Christchurch to meet Joey and his foster family.

• Joey needs someone who can spend sufficient time during the weekdays with him. This means: no full time (out of home) workers, leaving him alone for 8 hours often. He would be ok with who works very part-time, is able to take her/him to work (often!), is retired (yet very active) or who works from home (permanently).

• Like all of our rescue dogs - Joey needs a very secure home, so full fencing with NO holes or gaps in the space he can access for toileting (ie. backyard). Rural properties must at least have a fenced in, safe backyard to ensure no escapees.

• Joey is suitable for children in the home who are 7 years and older. Must be dog knowlegable and understand they must give space to a rescue dog.

• Joey would be suitable for a home with cats that have lived with dogs prior and therefore confident around dogs.

• Joey is probably not suitable as a solo dog. He has always lived with other Chihuahuas and needs a home with at least one other (small breed) dog to play with. Not suitable to be with an older, lower energy dog.  He is playful and energetic.

• An adopter able to continue his socialisation and confidence-building.

Note: Before applying to adopt, please ensure you meet the adopter requirements listed above. These guidelines are based on the dogs' needs, as determined by our foster carers. If you do not meet the requirements, your application will be declined without exception, to avoid any disappointment. Please review the criteria carefully. Thank you!

Adoption Fee: $600.00. to be paid to the NZCR trust account no. 03-0823-0074502-000 

Please note: further details will be added as we get to know Joey better- we will also have some "adoption shots" taken when he is ready to meet our furtographer.

Note: Our adoption fees reflect the dog’s age, health, and care needs. They cover microchipping (NZCAR registration), vaccinations, de-sexing, current-year council registration, and any necessary treatments, including flea/worm treatments, medications, surgeries (e.g., dental), and food. Payment plans are not available, as adopters must show financial readiness for the expense that comes with pet ownership. Click below for more details on our adoption process.