"Otter"
STATUS: Unavailable - New in Care - Under Assessment
Arrived in NZCR care: 7 January 2021
DOB: 25/06/2016.
Sex: Female
Breed: Chihuahua x Fox Terrier
De-Sexed: Yes.
Micro-chipped: Yes.
Registered with NZCAR: Yes.
Vaccinated: TBC.
DogsNZ (NZKC): No - crossbreed.
Cat Friendly: TBC.
Child Friendly: 8-10 years and older.
Human Sociable: With support - see below.
Dog Sociable: TBC.
* TBC = "To be confirmed"
Background:
Otter was originally purchased from an Auckland Pet Shop notorious for utilizing puppy farmers and backyard breeders. Otter's former owners contacted NZCR as they feel Otter has some behavioral issues that need addressing. They felt that otter would benefit by going to our Charity as she needs the assistance of someone with rescue dog knowledge, who can support her in growing more confident and coming out of her shell. No further details to provide.
Personality:
Otter's former owner notes that Otter has always had a “nervous” disposition which has only become more obvious since she’s aged. Otter is said to “keep herself to herself” although she can "cling" to her female owner. Otter lacks confidence with new people and situations. She is very wary of men.
Otter will spend some time in foster care with NZCR to work on her confidence and exposure to the outside world. Otter's owners state that she can be grumpy or snappy with strangers, or if cornered. But this is a typical reaction by a fearful dog.
*We will update Otter's profile once she has been in care for some time and we know more about her!
Health:
Once Otter has had some time in foster care to adjust, we will book her in for her preliminary vet check. Otter will also recieve her vaccinations at this time. We will note any medical issues here on her profile and address these, if possible.
We anticipate that due to her very fearful disposition - we will need to sedate Otter, complete her check up (+ or - x-rays and blood tests), Otter will also need to be shaved down as she has large matts of fur attached (her former owners stated she is far to fearful to take to a groomers).
Otter has been de-sexed. She is also micro-chipped and the chip is registered with the Council and NZCAR databases. Otter has been flea and wormed every 3 months during her time in care.
Help us to Help Otter!
It has been an extremely busy period for the trust and we have several new dogs in care, This includes little Otter, who will need to be medically and behaviorally cleared for adoption!
Donations received for Otter will go towards: her vet check and vaccinations, any required blood testing, flea and worming, purchasing disposables for her such as food, bed and bedding, Council registration, training sessions with our animal consultant/trainer to assist with ways to make Otter more comfortable and confident, plus specialist food costs and any medications required alongside any medical or dental care needed by little Otter.
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 Otter by donating to her cause, all donations, small or large, help us to help her! Please also contact us for a receipt and you can recieve 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: "Otter"
By credit or debit card to our GiveALittle:
https://givealittle.co.nz/org/nz-chihuahua-rescue-trust
Next Steps:
Once settled into care, Otter will visit our vet for her check up and vaccinations. We will know then whether she can be medically cleared. We will involve our dog trainer in Otter's care to ensure her confidence grows. We will also have Otter groomed. Once Otter is ready for adoption, we will discuss her adoption requirements with her foster carer and amend her profile.
Adopter Requirements:
- Otter is strictly for adoption within the Canterbury area as she will require the support of our team to integrate into her new home. Please do not apply from other parts of New Zealand.
- Otter will need an Adopter with patience who is experienced in the care of rescue dogs. Please do not apply unless you have sound dog knowledge and experience. We would also suggest utilizing a trainer (we have on we can recommend) to assist with integration. This will be a slow process, Otter is a true rescue dog, a diamond in the rough.
- No full time workers. Otter requires an Adopter who is (very) part time, retired yet active or working from home (permanently).
- Must have a fully fenced back yard with no holes or gaps.
- No small children to be around Otter. Teenagers and older would be suitable. Please do not apply if you have a young family.
- If you are looking for a dog that is human-social to take to events and gatherings, Otter would not be a match for you. She is loving to those she knows but fearful of people and would not be suitable to take to a busy social gathering or office environment.
- Otter would benefit from another, more confident dog in the home.
* Otter's adopter requirements may be amended in due course as she has just come into care.
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: $400.00
NOTE ON 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: desexing 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.