"Kiva"

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Date of Birth: Est. July 2019.

Gender: Female

Breed: Chihuahua

De-Sexed: Yes.

Micro-chipped: Yes.

Registered with NZCAR: Yes.

Vaccinated: Yes.

DogsNZ (NZKC): No,

Council Registered: Yes - Christchurch City Council.

Cat Friendly: Yes.

Child Friendly:  8 years and older. 

Human Sociable: Yes.

Dog Sociable: Yes.

* TBC = "To be confirmed"

Personality:

Kiva is a social, friendly little dog who loves human companionship! Her favorite thing to do is to curl up on your lap and be pet as she is a total snuggle bug! It doesn't take her too long to warm up to new people as Kiva is a very happy and social little dog who loves to give kisses!

Kiva is being fostered with other Chihuahuas and would suit being with 1-2 dogs who are similar in age and energy and great with other small dogs, as long as they give her space. At her former home, she was picked on by a Shihtzu, so it's important any dogs in an Adopters' home are a good match. Kiva is a sweet, soft wee girl, so a dog with too much of an overbearing or bolshy personality wouldnt be a match for her.

Kiva has always had daytime companionship. Kiva is ok being left for an hour or so, without human companionship, with other dogs in the home. But Kiva is not suited to someone working outside the home full time. Kiva wouldn't suit someone away from home regularly for 5-8 hours multiple days during the week. Kiva needs someone who is retired, working from home, or able to take her to a (quiet) workplace (eventually after an adjustment period learning her home enviroment first).

Kiva is great in the car and well toilet-trained. 

At present she is being crate-trained (for sleeping) and working on building her confidence in the wide world and noisy enviroments. Kiva’s foster mum provided an update on her ongoing confidence-building while being in foster care. “So today we got to the end of the drive with Kiva on the lead and that was with my dog with her for leadership and encouragement – sometimes once she gets to the end after several stops she digs in because it’s too scary and noisy. But I’ve been working more on her learning to play as she was terrified of all the toys and wouldn’t dare go and run with the other dogs. 

Now, finally, she’s found her joy in that part of her life and she’s a crazy girl! Kiva loves to run around. Her and my other dog are so fast and so there is absolutely no problems with her knees as she now plays independently with toys throwing them around and shaking them. Geoff and I can play with her as well (whereas before she was terrified if we tried)
 

The noise is a very different problem! Kiva can now, after all this time, stay in the lounge while my Husband fills the pellet fire so long as he goes slow without too much noise. But if we drop something, or there is a loud bang randomly – she gets startled and she’s off. I’m concentrating helping her through this issue with sudden movements and loud noises. But she’s very cuddly once she learns to trust you and she’s a great little foodie!”

Health: 

Kiva had an initial vet check on 12th July 2024, she was vaccinated, micro-chipped and registered with the NZ Companion Animal Database. Kiva doesn't require a dental as yet, but teeth should be rechecked in 6-9 months.

Kiva returned to the vet on 15th July 2024 for x-rays of her stifle, pelvis, hips, knees, and other joints. She has Grade 4 luxating patellas, a condition common in many toy breeds. The vet noted that both patellas have very shallow grooves and some bowing of the tibial crests. Kiva has hyper-extending hocks. However, these knee conditions are likely congenital and do not currently seem to cause her any discomfort. Kiva walks, runs, and jumps without any signs of pain or lameness, so she does not require surgery at this time. Kiva's future adopter should be mindful of her joint health to prevent any progression of her condition. Maintaining a lean weight is crucial for Kiva, and engaging with an animal physiotherapist would also be beneficial.

Kiva's right hip is in great condition, with mild dysplasia in her left hip. Generally, it doesn't bother Kiva. The only time she shows discomfort is when her hips are extended during an exam. Our trust vet sought a second opinion from an animal orthopedic specialist to ensure that surgical intervention is required.

It's important to consider the ongoing care and possible expenses involved in adopting a toy breed, especially with Kiva’s current health findings. We’re looking for a committed adopter who can provide her with the love and support she needs, now and in the future. 

Note: all dogs from NZCR are only adopted out once they have been medically signed off by our vet, de-sexed, vaccinated, micro-chipped (with the chip registered with the NZ Companion Animal Register and the local Council) and flea/worm treated.

How do the dogs receive the care needed to ready them for adoption?

New Zealand Chihuahua Rescue is a registered New Zealand charity run by a small team of passionate volunteers. The funds raised go towards the dogs in our care (and any community dogs we may support). Our modest income is a result of your kind donations, sponsorship, and our fundraising projects. The dogs in care each require medical or behavioral assistance so we're often short on funds - sadly this limits how many dogs we can help!

If you can, please consider donating to our cause either as a one-off or on an ongoing basis. Every donation, big or small, makes a difference! As we are a registered charity, please contact us for a receipt to claim back 33.33% of your donation from the IRD.

Donations can be made via: 

The New Zealand Chihuahua Rescue Westpac Trust Account:

03-0823-0074502-000 

Ref: "KIVA"

By credit or debit card by:
GiveALittle: www.givealittle.co.nz/org/nz-chihuahua-rescue-trust
Paypal: www.nzchihuahuarescue.co.nz/donate-via-paypal
 

For other ideas on how you can support the charity and rescue dogs, please see here: www.nzchihuahuarescue.co.nz/donate

Adopter Requirements: 

• Local Canterbury-based applications are preferable (and the easiest transition for the dog) However if an Applicant met all other criteria, Kiva could be a candidate for an out-of-town adoption. Please note: any Applicant needs to be able to travel to a meet/greet here in Christchurch.

• Kiva requires an owner who - works part-time, or is able to take her to work regularly, or is someone who is retired (yet active) or who works from home. Kiva is fine left for a few hours every now and then, with the company of another small breed dog. However, Chihuahuas are companion dogs and not suitable for those who work full time hours outside of home. 

• Kiva needs a very secure home, so full fencing with NO holes or gaps. This includes rural properties. You must at least have a fenced in, safe backyard to ensure she cannot escape (especially earlier on in the trial).

• Kiva has lived with cats prior and would be fine with confident cats who are  used to living with dogs. But please consider whether your cat would be accepting of a dog in the home environment before applying.

• Kiva  is fostered with other small breed dogs and would do well with a companion if her human wasn’t able to be with her for a few hours regularly on weekdays. But Kiva has a very gentle little personality, so any dog in the home cannot be too bossy or overbearing or it will cause Kiva to retreat into herself.

• Able to ensure Kiva remains at a healthy weight - you may also wish to consider physio to benefit her joints.

• Kiva needs and owner confident in continuing her confidence building and leash-walking. Her Adopter needs to help her work on these aspects.

Note: any Adopter must be willing and able to to emotionally and financially commit to Kiva. Toy breeds, often face issues with their hips, knees, and joints. While Kiva may continue to live pain-free and never need surgery, her future adopter must be prepared to manage potential health needs and this includes the cost of surgery if required in future This includes maintaining a healthy weight and being ready to provide dental or orthopedic care, which small breeds often require. It's important to consider the ongoing care and possible expenses involved in adopting a toy breed, especially with Kiva’s current health findings. 

Adoption Fee: $500.00. to be paid to the NZCR trust account no. 03-0823-0074502-000 

Note: Before applying to adopt, please ensure you meet the adopter requirements listed above. These guidelines are set with the dogs' needs in mind, based on input from foster carers. If you do not meet these requirements, your application will be declined as there are no exceptions. Please review the criteria carefully. Thank you! 

Our adoption fees consider the dog's age, health, and any ongoing care costs. These fees cover micro-chipping (including NZCAR registration), vaccinations, de-sexing, council registration (current year) and any other treatments required. This includes flea and worm treatments, medications, additional surgeries such as a dental, and food. We do not accept payment plans as adopters must demonstrate financial readiness for a pet. Please read more about our adoption process by clicking below.