As noted elsewhere, yesterday SF’s Animal Care and Control had a media event to help make folks aware of the large number of Chihuahuas showing up in local animal shelters. And aware they shall be — Appeal photographer Matt Ghali, who took the photoset above, says “It was a madhouse in there! I don’t think the animal control folks were expecting so many media people to show up.”
According to ACC spokesperson Deb Campbell, 1/3 of the dogs at the ACC are Chihuahuas or Chihuahua mixes, with rescue organizations busting at the seams with the little pups.
Grateful Dogs Rescue‘s* Kim Durney hopes that this awareness campaign will help “backyard breeders to realize that the supply vastly exceeds the demand and to stop the irresponsible breeding!” Spay and neuter, folks. Spay and neuter! Durney knows what she’s talking about: out of 66 dogs in foster care with Grateful Dogs, nearly half are Chihuahuas.
“The solution is community involvement – by adopting, fostering or donating – to insure that these dogs are home for the holidays” says Campbell. And once you adopt one? Then you, too, can enter The Great Dog Coat Debate.
You can check out these pups at ACC (1200 15th Street (at Harrison) daily from 12-6:00 PM, 12-7:00 PM on Wednesdays.
Elsewhere: Bay Area Shelters Crowded With Chihuahuas CBS5, Yo quiero una casa! – Chihuahuas fill shelters Chron, Animal Control Up to its Ankles — Literally — in Chihuahuas SF Weekly
*Disclosure: my dog is a Grateful Dog rescue, if you care.
