10 Best Chihuahua Rescues for Adoption (2024): Our Top 10 Picks!

Best Chihuahua Rescues for Adoption

Planning to get a Chihuahua? Then you’ve come to the right page! Surely, there are tons of reputable breeders of this pocket-sized companion.

However, if you’re looking for one that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, then opening up your home to a rescued Chihuahua would suit you well!

In this article, we’ll take you through the 10 most active and caring Chihuahua rescues you can contact and check out to see if they may be holding the perfect Chihuahua for your family!

We’ve also included the budget you will have to prepare together with some tips to help make the process smoother.

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Most of the Chihuahua rescues in this list follow the same adoption process. If you want to ace your application, I suggest that you read our ultimate adoption guide which features key tips and techniques starting from choosing the breed to home introduction.

Top 10 Chihuahua Rescues to Find Chihuahuas for Adoption

Although this breed is quite manageable and easy to care for, they are also one of the most common breeds you can find in a rescue.

However, this does not mean that I’m encouraging you to adopt any Chihuahua from various institutions without an in-depth assessment of your compatibility.

You should opt for a rescue that truly cares for and humanely treats your future fur babies.

To make your search easier, we’ve provided a compilation of Chihuahua rescues that have made it to our favorites list by virtue of friendliness and reliability!

1. Chihuahua Rescue and Transport (CRT) – Several States

The CRT has been rehoming Chihuahuas from the Northern, Mid, and Southern regions of the United States for over 25 years.

They began their noble work in 1996 and have been rescuing neglected, abused, and maltreated Chihuahuas ever since.

Above rescuing these pups, their main goal is to educate pet owners and advocate for responsible pet ownership.

They are a foster-based rescue team with no paid employees which keeps their area of service quite limited. On the bright side, they have affiliates in several states.

Provided below is the list of states that their fosters cater to:

  • Midwest Region: Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan
  • Southeast Region: North and South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Georgia, and Maryland
  • Southwest Region: Texas and Oklahoma

Their adoption regulations strictly include a home visit so they do not allow people to adopt for others or cater to aspiring Chihuahua parents from outside the states listed above.

If you’re living within the given states, you can start your adoption journey by filling out their application form here.

Chihuahua Rescue and Transport (CRT) Information and Details:

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2. Texas Chihuahua Rescue (TXCR) – Texas

TXCR started in May 2015 with only 22 Chihuahuas in their rescue. After a few months, their average rescue rate has ballooned almost five-fold, averaging around 100 Chihuahuas!

Jamie Parker, the TXCR director, answered the call to save numerous maltreated and abused Chihuahuas within and around Southern Texas together with unpaid and loving volunteers.

TXCR not only saves unfortunate Chihuahuas, but they go through great lengths to help them readjust before meeting their forever homes.

They vet their dogs completely as they arrive at the rescue. Naturally, they are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and cleared from any parasite.

They even microchip them and make arrangements for the adopters to ensure that the microchip is registered to their fur parents’ name.

Texas locals who desire to adopt from their rescue need to prepare around $250 to $350, whereas those out of state will pay a hefty amount for transportation arrangements ranging from $500 to $600.

If you’re ready to check out their available dogs, you can fill out their application form here.

Texas Chihuahua Rescue (TXCR) Information and Details:

3. Ay Chihuahua Rescue – Texas

Another Chihuahua rescue based in Texas is Ay Chihuahua. They operate as a foster-based organization where rescued animals are cared for by loving families as they wait for people to give them a home for the rest of their life.

As they are kept by families in a home setting, dogs from Ay Chihuahua are surely nursed back to health and a stable mental being.

Typically, the adoption process in Ay Chihuahua takes around two to three weeks as they heavily consider the references you put in your application. Hence, make sure that the person of reference is someone that knows you well!

Unfortunately, Ay Chihuahua only considers adoptive families that are inside Texas since their organization is composed of willing volunteers and those who don’t have children under the age of six.

Being that Chihuahuas are tiny and fragile, they can be easily injured in households with children.

Ay Chihuahua has a non-negotiable adoption fee of $165 to $240 depending on your dog of choice. If you want more detailed information about their application process, you can take a look at it here.

Ay Chihuahua Information and Details:

4. Enchantment Chihuahua Rescue, LTD – New Mexico

Settled in the county of Bernalillo, Margaret Wiltse together with her small band of volunteers aspire to rescue, nurture and relocate maltreated Chihuahuas to provide them with a home they deserve.

Margaret started the association as a way to assist the animal authorities in New Mexico but mainly rehomes Chihuahuas.

Pre-pandemic, the adoption of Enchantment Chihuahuas involves meet and greets to ensure that their Chihuahuas are going to be kept in safe, loving homes.

However, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, applications now require a video of your home. Unfortunately, this also limits the states that they cater to, so they only assist aspiring Chihuahua owners in New Mexico.

Enchantment Chihuahuas categorize their dogs to make it easier for you to decide and find the perfect fit for your capabilities as a dog parent.

There are three main categories on their Available Dogs page:

  • Puppy dogs
  • Adults, seniors, and special needs dogs
  • Forever foster dogs
  • Pending adoption dogs

You can find the documents you need such as the adoption contract and application here.

Enchantment Chihuahua Rescue, LTD Information and Details:

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5. Chihuahua Rescue of San Diego County – California

This Chihuahua rescue is similarly made up of a network of foster parents that have banded together to nurse abandoned, unwanted, and injured Chihuahuas.

Unfortunately, Chihuahuas are one of the breeds that are mostly found in San Diego, and that’s what drove this organization to start providing warm, loving shelters to this lively breed.

Once a Chihuahua comes into their care, they are given their own space, food, and medical attention. They are also automatically spayed or neutered.

Take note that they usually arrange for you to have a meet and greet with the dog of your choice so that you can see if you’re a great fit for each other! In addition, they will also visit your house or apartment to check out your living conditions.

When looking for a dog to take home, this organization allows you to browse through available dogs but if you’re having a difficult time choosing, you can also ask for a recommendation from their team.

Chihuahua Rescue of San Diego County Information and Details:

6. Limbo Chihuahuas – Florida

Limbo Chihuahuas is composed of a network of loving and caring foster parents. The dogs they rescue are nursed and nestled back to health in home settings which allows them to readjust quickly to family life.

This setting also benefits aspiring Chihuahua parents since the team becomes well acquainted with the rescue and can therefore recommend a dog that would perfectly match and jive with their lifetime owner.

Limbo Chihuahuas is dedicated to saving and rehoming Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes that are destined for euthanasia or are voluntarily given up by their owners due to health and financial conditions.

Before you take home a dog from this rescue, they ensure that the pups have up-to-date vaccinations and are microchipped as well.

Graciously, the volunteers from Limbo Chihuahuas also offer their help and expertise should there be any training issues with the dog you take home.

If this organization piques your interest, you can file your adoption application here.

Limbo Chihuahuas Information and Details:

  • Website: Limbo Chihuahuas
  • Address: 6800 Gulfport Blvd S #201-105, South Pasadena FL 33707
  • Phone: 727-423-0226
  • Email: volunteer.limbochi@gmail.com
  • Special Note: They are also on Facebook.

7. Chihuahua & Small Dog Rescue, Inc. – Colorado

Founded in October 2005, Sue Fisher together with Sharon Henson started this rescue organization in Colorado Springs.

From then on, this Chihuahua rescue has blossomed into a successful volunteer-operated institution that has been matching loving families to abused, abandoned, and surrendered Chihuahuas and small dogs.

They don’t have a physical facility and are solely reliant on private individuals who have opened up their homes as a temporary rehoming and retraining ground for their rescues.

All the dogs being fostered under their volunteers’ care are given the appropriate medical attention they need to help them recover and gain back the trust they have for humans.

This means that once you adopt from their organization, you can be sure that the pup you’re taking home has been initially socialized and well-nourished to the best of the volunteers’ capability.

Take note that their process is not dependent on whether you applied for the dog first, albeit it relies on your answers in the adoption form and if the dog you’re eyeing is a perfect fit for you.

Unfortunately, they do not allow out-of-state adoptions as they have a strict home-visit policy.

If you live in Colorado and are willing to rescue a Chihuahua from their organization, you can fill out their application form here.

Chihuahua & Small Dog Rescue, Inc. Information and Details:

8. Yankee Chihuahua Rescue (YCRAA) – New England

Founded in 2000, this volunteer-run rescue taps into a network of private individuals dedicated to being a savior to homeless and neglected Chihuahuas roaming in their state.

They foster these saved pups in their own homes to have them properly medicated and resocialized in preparation for their adopters.

One of the promises that YCRAA gives to interested Chihuahua parents is that each of their rescues is evaluated regarding their temperament.

They are also examined by their trusted vet to nurse them back to their best shape before being put up for adoption. Besides that, they are also assisted in terms of readjusting to family life.

In YCRAA, the first step of their adoption process is to fill out their application form. Your answers are then evaluated to see if they are complete and meet their criteria.

They also employ a phone interview as their second step where, if accepted, you will be scheduled for a home visit.

Once all this is in place and you pass the home visitation, you can start processing your adoption fees and make travel arrangements with the volunteers. It is important to note that they do not allow adoptions from out of state.

Yankee Chihuahua Rescue (YCRAA) Information and Details:

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9. Chihuahua Rescue Indiana, Inc. – Indiana

Run by a group of loving families, this Chihuahua rescue is a volunteer organization that specializes in homing Chihuahuas and Chihuahua crosses throughout Indiana.

One of the most interesting things about this organization is that they conduct several events where they set up a meet and greet of the available dogs up for adoption. You can check out their upcoming events should you have time.

Chihuahua Rescue Indiana swears by spaying and neutering their fosters before being handed out for adoption.

On top of that, they are checked regularly for diseases that might need medical attention to make sure that they are in tip-top shape before being handed out to their forever families.

In light of the passion and dedication that the volunteers pour into their rescues, they are very strict with the adoption application review. Here are some particular things to keep in mind:

  • They require vet and landlord references before adopting to aspiring Chihuahua keepers.
  • Their adoption process requires filling out a questionnaire and signing an adoption agreement.

Chihuahua Rescue Indiana, Inc. Information and Details:

10. Sadie’s Safe House – Oregon

Rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome are the three words that Sadie’s Safe House for Chihuahuas stand by.

Shanae, the president and founder of this organization started her quest to provide loving homes to troubled and abandoned Chihuahuas in her area when she took home her first rescue Chihuahua named Sadie.

Shanae used to work in a shelter as a kennel cleaner and ranked up to manager which is where her eyes were opened to the plight of this breed in shelters.

From her experience, she and her band of compassionate volunteers are now rehabilitating and taking in surrendered and even abandoned Chihuahuas to prepare them for a better home.

Medical fees for rescue dogs can be expensive so Sadie’s Safe House also has an adoption fee that ranges from $100 to $350 depending on the age of the dog you chose.

If you’re ready to adopt from Sadie’s Safe House, you can fill out their application form here.

Sadie’s Safe House Information and Details:

Another thing that can help you significantly with your dog hunt is reading our ultimate dog adoption guide. This, alongside the Chihuahua rescue options from our directory, will increase your chances of bringing home the dog you desire.

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Other Sources for Chihuahua Rescues or Shelters for Adoption

Three beautiful Chihuahua rescues sitting

Let me guess, you still haven’t found the right Chihuahua rescue for you? Well, fret not as I still have some options that you can check out:

  • Chihuahua Club of America – The Chihuahua Club of America is an organization that regulates breeders and rescuers alike. They provide strict guidelines for their rescuers to assure that dogs being placed in permanent homes will not pose a threat to humans and give the breed a bad reputation.
  • Petfinder – This pet adoption platform allows you to find a rescued Chihuahua near your location since they have a filter dedicated to that. Thousands of pets are listed on their website so it’s impossible that you won’t find a Chihuahua that is only a drive away.
  • Adopt-a-Pet – This site has a list of cats and dogs from various rescues all over the states. Similar to Petfinder, you can also filter your search so searching for your Chihuahua would be a piece of cake.
  • Local Animal Shelters and Rescue Organizations – Chihuahuas are one of the most represented breeds in most rescues and shelters, so if you still can’t find the perfect organization to provide a Chihuahua for you, then you can take a look around your local rescues and shelters.

If you’re still looking for that final push to click send on your application for or just want another boost regarding adopting a Chihuahua, you can check out this inspiring video:

This Guy's Addicted to Rescuing Chihuahuas | Dodo Heroes

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Why Do People Put Chihuahuas up for Adoption or in a Rescue?

One of the most unfortunate facts about Chihuahuas is that they’re the second most popular breed to be seen in rescues.

Let’s explore the reasons why people give up or surrender their Chihuahuas:

  • The family is experiencing financial issues so they are no longer capable of providing the dog’s needs.
  • They are moving to another place where it is prohibited to live with a dog.
  • They are extremely busy so they can no longer look after their Chihuahuas. 
  • The owner may be experiencing major troubles in his properties. For example, a home loss.
  • The owner passed away or was terribly ill.
  • The family may have had children or their dog became aggressive at their kids during playtime.

The last point in the list may be disheartening, but know that a well-loved and cared for dog will never be aggressive to its owners without feeling threatened or abused.

How Much Should It Cost to Adopt a Chihuahua?

The average cost of a breeder-raised Chihuahua puppy is around $800 excluding its medical fees and certifications. However, this can go to as high as $2,000 based on lineage and kennel of origin.

Fortunately, you don’t have to break your bank to take home a loving Chihuahua! Adopting a Chihuahua from rescue organizations would only take you back by $150 to $300.

Curious as to where your money goes? Check out this breakdown of expenses:

ExpensesAverage Cost
Medical Exam $70 – $100
Spaying/Neutering$150
Distemper Vaccination $20
Rabies Vaccine$20
Heartworm Test$15
Microchip Insertion$50
Flea and Tick Treatment$30
Deworming$20
Collar and Tag$5
Total$380 – $410

As shown in the table above, the total cost of nursing a rescued Chihuahua to health is more than $300.

Surprisingly, the expenses for the items and services they have provided for the Chihuahua while under their care are more than what they usually ask you for.

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Is It Difficult to Adopt a Chihuahua From a Rescue?

Little girl adopting a Chihuahua puppy

There are tons of things to expect while trying to adopt a Chihuahua from a rescue or shelter, and it would be a lie if someone told you that there are absolutely no challenges to be had or hurdles to go through in the adoption process.

To begin with, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, movement in and around the various states may be limited. Therefore, volunteer-run organizations no longer transport their rescues across the states.

So, transportation arrangements are something you should prepare for. Besides, surely, there are local rescues in your area that can cater to your desire to take home a Chihuahua.

Once you’ve found the perfect rescue for you, the next hurdle to jump is passing the application process. There are a few critical things that may get your application junked for most rescues but on the top of that list is having small kids in the family.

Sadly, since rescued Chihuahuas were likely living in stressful and abusive environments, they may need some time to perfectly adjust to their new owners.

Thus, if placed in noisy areas with lots of movements and activities, they may find it difficult to socialize and may react negatively to your family.

4 Tips for Getting Approved by a Rescue to Adopt a Chihuahua

Now that you’re 100% convinced and full of beans, here are useful tips to ace your adoption application:

  • Learn everything about the puppy that you are eyeing. Most if not all Chihuahua rescues post pictures and details about the puppies and dogs they are holding. So, even before you have your meet and greet, you can already start getting to know what your desired Chihuahua is all about. Some basic information you can gather about the rescue Chihuahua is its estimated age, temperament, and its health condition.
  • Prepare your house. Chihuahuas are toy dogs which means that they are tiny and manageable. Remember that for most Chihuahua rescues, a home visit is not only necessary but is actually a requirement that they take seriously so make sure to pick up that broom before the rescue volunteer pays you a visit!
  • Ask a lot of questions. The organizations and volunteers that you will be dealing with have spent a significant amount of time living with and resocializing your rescued Chihuahua. By asking them questions regarding how you can appropriately take care of your dog, you are showing the volunteers your concern and passion for the pet you’re about to take into your home.
  • Be patient. Remember that the dog you’re about to take under your wing may be feeling extremely vulnerable and wary of others due to their history. So it may take several visits, pets, and treat-giving before they warm up to you. By investing your time in visiting them in their foster homes and befriending them even before they’re permanently yours, you have a higher chance of being approved by the rescue volunteers.

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Final Thoughts

Chihuahuas, although cute and manageable, are often seen crowding rescues and shelters through no fault of their own. This means that there’s a range of looks, ages, and temperaments you can choose from.

However, know that owning any dog can be a handful as you have to invest your time and resources in them as they will be a part of your family!

Before taking a Chihuahua or any dog for that matter out of a shelter, you need to have a strong resolve to provide that dog with a forever home.

You also have to gear up and be prepared for various expenses and adjustments that come with having a cute, little companion in your house, car, or in this case, bag!

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