Help! I need to re-home a dog - How do I begin? What's the process?
We understand that there may be many reasons why you (or someone you know) can no longer care for their Chihuahua, or Chihuahua cross. We are happy to work privately with Breeders who are looking to re-home ex-breeding stock and happily accept dogs or puppies with special needs. There is no age limit on the Chihuahuas we accept! Your details and information are kept privately within our team. Please also let us know if you do not wish for the reasons for re-homing to be advertised, or the dog's name to be changed.
When dogs are placed in our care we provide behavioral rehabilitation, medical treatment, de-sexing, vaccinations, flea and worming treatments and Council registration for the dogs. Once they are fit to be adopted we vet the potential applicants and make sure that the very best forever homes are chosen.
Step 1:
Please fill out the below form should you wish for assistance in finding a suitable new home for a dog. This form provides us with all of the information we require. Please be as honest as possible in terms of any medical treatments the dog may need or behavioral quirks. We need as much information as possible to be able to pair the dog with a suitable foster carer and/or address any needs they may have. Please email the form to us at contact@nzchihuahuarescue.co.nz
Step 2:
Once your form is received, our Managing Trustee will then be in contact with you to discuss the dog with you. If you wish to proceed we can then make arrangements for pick up or flights if necessary. However, we are happy to call and discuss your options with you.
FAQ About Re-homing a Dog via New Zealand Chihuahua Rescue:
What fees are involved?
There is no fee to surrender a dog to the Trust. No matter what kind of medical care he or she requires. We do not charge former owners. If able, you are more than welcome to make a donation to the Trust at any time.
Will I get updates?
We are happy to update you while the dog is in foster care and let you know once they have been adopted. However, we understand if you would prefer we did not do so also. Please let us know your preference.
Can you keep my details and reasoning private?
Absolutely! Former owner details are not released to anyone outside of our team but we are also happy to keep the reasons for surrender confidential. Please let us know your preference.
Can I talk to someone at NZCR about this?
Absolutely! please email us and a Trustee will be in contact with you.
Why should I trust New Zealand Chihuahua Rescue to re-home my dog?
1. NZCR is a registered New Zealand Charity – this means that we are regulated and have the obligation to report our financial information each year to the Charities Services. Not all “charities” are registered. It is important to know when you donate to a charity, or surrender your dog to a Rescue that they are registered and therefore doing all they can to be transparent to the public about their activities or financial information.
The charities register is easily accessible by all members of public and you are able to search by Rescue name. We do not recommend re-homing your dog to strangers on Facebook or TradeMe, or even to those purporting to be from “a Rescue” without searching their details first! When you send your dog to us, you know you have selected a reputable and legitimate charity and are able to have peace of mind that your dog is in the safest hands possible. We are able to keep you updated on their progress (if you wish for us to do so).
2. We specialize in Chihuahuas and Chihuahua-crosses and have successfully adopted out over 30 Chihuahuas (or crosses) within our first year - We are a breed-specific rescue with a team of Chihuahua-knowledgeable experts. Chihuahuas are unlike any other breed and have their own unique requirements and medical issues. We are able to identify those issues and their causes and refer between our network of staff who medically assist or mentally rehabilitate these dogs. Our team are very knowledgeable and passionate about the breed and doing all we can to assist dogs in need.
3. We provide comprehensive medical care - If your dog needs medical treatments, we are still happy to take them in, but please do let us know so we can make plans for their care. We de-sex, vaccinate, microchip, flea and worm and register with the local Council all dogs that come into our care. We also regularly go above and beyond to provide dentals and/or costly orthopedic treatments (such as physio or surgery for patella luxation) in order to ensure dogs live a pain-free life. Anything the dog needs, we will cover. We do not adopt out any dogs until we are certain that they are medically fit.
4. We have a team of knowledgeable, loving and experienced foster carers available to address any negative personality “quirks” or behaviors - We do not euthanize dogs for temperamental or behavioral issues. We work with them to rehabilitate them into confident, well-adjusted family pets where possible. There are some dogs which will always be wary of strangers and less-confident. However, we assess all of our dog’s needs to ensure that we can accurately match the dog with an owner that will be supportive, understanding of their needs and ensure they thrive.
I am concerned about the welfare of a dog, what do I do?
We are not an enforcement agency. If you have any concerns about the welfare of a Chihuahua or other dog, please contact your local SPCA and Animal Control Department.