New Zealand Chihuahua Rescue is based in Canterbury, where our Trustees, vets, physio therapists and our experienced foster carers reside. However, we take in dogs from all over New Zealand and have adopted dogs to various parts New Zealand also.
We have many ex-trust dogs placed in the lower South Island and as far away as Auckland. We do not adopt outside of New Zealand.
Please see the below process for adopting from us, if you are not located in Canterbury. We do not adopt out to those we haven't met in person. No exceptions.
Why are some dogs only available in Christchurch or Canterbury?
Some of our dogs may only be adopted locally in Canterbury due to medical or behavioral reasons, and to ensure proper integration into their forever home. Our foster carers are experienced in integrating our rescue dogs and need to be available for support. We prioritize the health and welfare of the dog and want to ensure their successful integration into their new home. Our decision is always based on what's best for the dog. If you require a dog to be local to you, there are other rescues you can consult.
Where are the dogs you have available?
The dogs we have available can be found at the above link under "dogs in our care". Not all of them will be, we also have some dogs that are not advertised on the website or social media at the request of the former owner. This is why we encourage people to submit an application noting the type of dog they are after. We may have them in care already, or they may come into care shortly.
If I have already applied to adopt prior, do I need to submit another application?
No, unless any material details have changed (ie. new pets, people in the home, working hours, address etc). You will need to find and check your old application and consider if it is still up to date. If the information is still all correct, email us and tell us that you have previously applied and note the dog you wish to be considered for now. Please make sure you review the dogs' profile and meet their adopter requirements first.
GETTING STARTED:
1. Step One - Submit an Adoption Application and Supporting Information:
To apply for adoption, please download and complete the adoption form found under "files" on our website, and email it to us with supporting information. We require the completed application form to understand the home you are offering, and do not call adopters in replacement of this. Please be detailed in your application to increase your chances of being matched with a dog.
What supporting information is required?
IMPORTANT TIPS! Please ensure you answer all questions in the application thoroughly and provide all required information and attachments, including clear photos of your property if you are a homeowner or written consent from your landlord if you are renting. Incomplete applications will not be considered, and we do not accept applications via Facebook or phone. Please make sure to check that you meet all the adopter requirements noted on the profile of the dog you are interested in before submitting your application. Finally, please read the Adoption Agreement portion of the application form carefully and ensure that you are aware of your obligations.
Where are the dogs you have available?
The dogs we have available can be found at the above link under "dogs in our care".
If I have already applied to adopt prior, do I need to submit another application?
Not if it is less than 6 months since you last applied and all of your details are still the same. If any material details have changed (ie. new pets, people in the home, working hours, address etc) we need a new application. If your application is recent and update, simply email us!
Why do you not accept applications by phone or requests to call the Rescue?
We don't have a rescue phone number. Adoption forms streamline the process for us and provide all the necessary information we require. As volunteers with full-time jobs outside of rescue, this is the most efficient way for us to confirm whether you and your family are a match for any particular dog. We also do not discuss individual dogs with prospective applicants via phone without the adoption forms and supporting information.
What happens once I submit the application?
If you apply for a dog that is available, we will review your application and contact you if we want to progress to the next stage. We aim to respond within 5 working days. If the dog is unavailable, we will hold your application and pass it on when the dog is ready for adoption. Please check our social media or website for updates, as we cannot provide timelines.
Any questions?
If you have any queries, please see our adoption FAQ first (this is located via the link at the bottom of the page). Then email us via the contact form on our website if your question is not answered by our FAQ.
2. Step Two - Meet and Greets:
To ensure the best match between you and the dog, we may arrange a preliminary video interview via Zoom or Facebook Messenger. We'll also invite you to a meet and greet in Christchurch/Canterbury so you can get to know the dog in person. Please note that attending a meeting does not guarantee adoption, as we consider all applicants carefully. Also, we do not send dogs to adopters without a prior meeting, and adopters are responsible for all travel costs.
If this approach works for you, we'd love to hear from you. Otherwise, please contact a local rescue group in your area.
What happens after a meet and greet?
After the meet and greet, our team will determine which home is the best match for the dog. This process may take a few days to a week, especially if other applicants are being considered. As volunteers, we fit rescue commitments around our full-time work schedules. If you are waiting for a response, please email us at the trust email provided. Please understand that our priority is the dog's best interests, and we will respond as soon as possible.
If you are selected as a match for a particular dog:
After the meet/greet, a fellow rescue we work alongside, or council representative will conduct a home-check on your property. They will contact you to make arrangements for this.
3. Step Three - Trial:
If successful and all parties feel the dog is a match for the family, the dog will go on trial with the prospective Adopter. To proceed with the adoption, a signed trial agreement and the full adoption fee must be submitted and cleared in the trust account prior to the trial period. Please ensure payment is made in advance to avoid delays in the adoption process. We do not release dogs until the fee is received and cleared, and we do not make exceptions.
Travel:
How do we confirm the adoption?
During the trial period, please keep us updated and we will also check in with you periodically. You can send us updates and photos anytime. At the end of the trial, we will contact you to confirm if you want to adopt the dog. If yes, we will send a formal confirmation of adoption letter and change the registration and microchip details to officially make the dog a part of your family.
What if it doesn't work out?
In the event that the Adopter, or the Trust, terminate during the trial period, the dog is to be returned into the care of their foster carer. All items supplied with the dog must be returned.
If in the North Island, or outside of Christchurch, you will be responsible for the costs of returning the dog into our care. We reserve the right to use the adoption fee paid by you to do so and invoice any surplus fees. If there is any remainder left, it will be returned to the Adopter.
As you can understand, we are a small charity that survives solely from fundraising and donations. Sometimes we even struggle to meet essential costs. So we cannot pay the costs of transport for dogs up and down the Country for adopters who are not local. This includes the cost of bringing dogs back into the care of the Trust in Canterbury if their trial does not work out.
If you are in the South Island and/or able to return the dog back to us yourself, provided that the trust incurs no costs in relation to the return of the dogs, we will reimburse the adoption fee, or any surplus amount, as is the normal procedure for Christchurch adoptions.
Please Note: We do NOT provide harnesses, leashes, bowls, crates and the like when dogs go on trial. You will need to ensure you have all of these at the time of trial. These items are retained by our foster carers for other dogs in the care of the Trust. It is the Adopter's responsibility to purchase these items prior to the dog arriving for it's trial.
PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR OUR ADOPTION FAQ - THIS CONTAINS MORE INFORMATION ON THE ADOPTION PROCESS, FEES, OTHER COMMON QUERIES, REGISTRATION AND MICRO-CHIPPING, AMONG OTHER THINGS.
Any questions?
If you have any queries, please see our adoption FAQ first - this is located via the link at the bottom of the page. Then email us via the contact form on our website if your question is not answered by our FAQ.
PLEASE NOTE: The adoption forms CANNOT be downloaded to a tablet or mobile phone - you need to access via computer.
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