I think that part of the current problem is not breeders selling dogs to bad owners, it is the economy and I know many people that have lost their homes to foreclosure…they go to live in an apartment or house that does not allow dogs or cats. Also in the economy right now are people that are struggling to make ends meet with their unemployment or may not even that…true, a Chihuahua is a small dog. But, if you sit down and figure how much money actually is needed, it can add up. The vet bills, the food, the license. To a family who is trying to just feed themselves, this can be a staggering figure. I know that the perfect scenario is to find an owner for their dog and not take it to the shelter. Sometimes that is not possible. I know on my vet’s website in the last couple weeks there have been several people posting that they have a dog/cat that they cannot keep because they are moving someplace where they can’t have one; one person posted that they can’t keep their cat because their baby is allergic to it…I think that most people would choose finding another home for their cat rather than their child.
On the other hand, movies like Beverly Hills Chihuahua shows the cutsie little Chihuahuas. Who is that movie geared toward? Children. What do children do after they see what they want…they beg their parents and often times it works. Then they get their cute little Chihuahua and three months later the kid doesn’t even look at it anymore. I do think that it is a shame that there are so many dogs in the shelters, but I think it is a bit unfair to look down on everyone that takes their dogs there because we do not know the whole story of why they got there in the first place. I love my two…with my whole heart. I see Chihuahuas listed on the shelters web pages. I live in an HOA community…I can only have a cumulative total of 2 pet-type animals. I am at my limit. It means that I cannot take one from the shelter, but it does not make me a bad person. So, what you wrote, Deanna, is true of some people but not of all. There are too many in the shelter and they need homes, but I think that some of them came because of some sort of family economic problem these days. From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Deanna Corey Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 3:41 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Chihuahuas] Today's Chihuahua Tally Hi Peggy, I am with you on this to some extent...but what I would really like to see is instead of jumping on the breeders, people would go after the idiots dumping them. Breeders are not the problem and it really bothers me that we don't hold those that toss them accountable. Breeders do need to be responsible about whom they place a puppy with...but how about some "movement" to go after those that take on a chi...or any dog for that matter...and then dump them at a shelter...that's what I would like to see. I would love to see everyone stop bashing on breeders...we need good, reputable breeders!! We don't need pet shops and puppy mills selling dogs. And most important we need to change the laws pertaining to dumping a dog at the shelter and hold breeders more accountable about those they sell to. Just my 2 cents!! I will always be in support of those farthing the wonderful qualifiers of a particular dog breeds!! Wagging Tails in the Dog Park! Deanna and the Dog Park Gang: Nugget, Shuai Li, Mable, Mouse, Myrtle, Madison, Caleb and Maxine >From the mountains of CA http://swlf.lilyslim.com/v3T7m8.png?h9j6wId9 On Feb 8, 2011, at 1:38 PM, "Dunwoody, Amanda" <[email protected]> wrote: Peggy, It is an astounding number of pets looking for homes. As you know, both of my chis come from rescue organizations. I couldn’t be happier knowing that I have saved their lives and they have given me such love in return. J From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Peggy & The Girls Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 3:32 PM To: [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: [Chihuahuas] Today's Chihuahua Tally This is why I push to adopt and stop the unnecessary breeding of more pet Chi's!! Chi's run 2nd on the list, only surpassed by the Pit Bull who has 16,000 that need homes. Today's Petfinder shows 12,849 Chihuahua's and Chi/mixes need homes across the states! Now, don't these figures make you stop and think twice about breeding and buying? The only way to cut down on the population, is to stop bringing more into the world! I can not even post the number as to how many out of this figure are going to be Put Down this month, because it will make you feel just as sick as I feel about the whole issue! This is an incredible amount of unwanted Chihuahuas!!! I really wish that CA, TX, NM would get their act together and ban Chi Breeders, since the bulk of Chi's come from those states, and many, many are derive from private breeders that wind up in shelters and rescues! <image001.jpg> <http://members.chello.nl/aasteekelenburg/> <image002.jpg>
