Andrea Rosebrock 
California has been up to their elbows in Chihuahuas! All over California, Chihuahuas have been abandoned at shelters at an alarming rate. In the last 12 months, animal shelters in the city of Los Angeles have taken in 4,700 Chihuahuas, 1,000 more than the 12 months before that. That’s a lot of little dogs.
And who is to blame for this? Pop culture, of course. The popularity of movies like Beverly Hills Chihuahua and Legally Blonde; and celebutard Paris Hilton has infected the minds of thousands of teen and pre-teen wannabes. Not to mention their parents as well. The pet of choice became the Chihuahua. And as with any impulse buy to placate “our little princess”, nobody cared to read the fine print.
Backyard breeders began over breeding these little dogs thinking they could make a killing on the popularity of the breed. They sure did…selling them to pet shops. The little dogs are no different than other dogs bred by uncaring and unscrupulous breeders. They can be plagued with health problems that require expensive veterinary care. And when not trained properly, they can become protective and aggressive. The recession, foreclosures, and unprepared owners who lacked patience and funds caused the abandonment of thousands of these little dogs. Shelters found that Chihuahuas now make up 30 percent of their population.
The problem has become so bad for the West Coast that shelters are now shipping the dogs East where there is a demand for them.
So today is officially Operation Chihuahua. Virgin America Airline is assisting the City of San Francisco Animal Care and Control by flying Chihuahua pups from San Francisco to New York so they can be adopted into loving homes in time for the holidays. The San Francisco Animal Care & Control asked Virgin America to spare a seat during the busy holiday travel season to help fly these needy dogs. Several Virgin America teammates have volunteered to escort the pups on the flights to the East Coast
.
Not only that, but the pups are going to be sent off celebrity style. Complete with a red carpet at the gate, doggie treats and plenty of toys to play with until departure. The Chihuahuas will be received at JFK International Airport by the ASPCA who will place the little dogs up for adoption.
This is not the first flight out for the pups. A group of 25 dogs has already arrived at the Humane Society for Greater Nashua in New Hampshire, thanks to “Grey’s Anatomy” actress Katherine Heigl, Kinder4Rescue in Studio City, and American Airlines.
Another group of 43 is due for New Hampshire from Los Angeles Animal Services dubbed “Project Flying Chihuahua”. They were supposed to leave Saturday morning, but bad weather in the east caused a delay.
It’s not unheard of to transport animals interstate to help overloaded shelters, but lets hope that these little animals are adopted into homes that recognize the responsibility. There is nothing more tragic than seeing this vast rescue effort turn into a vicious cycle - where the demands of a new pet force their new owners to abandon these little dogs again. And seeing that it’s Christmas, I hope these pups aren’t going as unsolicited gifts. It’s a noble effort, but I’m going wait and see how things are in the next six months.
I can only offer this little bit of advice between now and the end of the year. Check your mailboxes carefully.
Poor little things…people are so stupid…
Ann, I agree – it is the people who are stupid. D, I too hope that these little ones are not going to be disposable Xmas gifts.
I hate it when a new movie comes out, and the main character is a dog – I know what we are in for. I just wish the general public got dogs for the right reason – for the unconditional love and companionship, and not for the “in” thing to do, or to appear to be like a celebrity.
I wish all these wee ones a wonderful home for Christmas. They deserve it, along with all the other shelter dogs.
Merry Christmas all!
OMG..Susie I am with you there when the films come out. I just knew that Beverley Hills Chihuahua would end up with something like this. I wish they would send one on a rescue flight to The Channel Islands, as I would pick one up in a heartbeat !! A new family member for the other 3 rescue Chi’s !!! I don’t like pets as Christmas gifts, but what a gift for my other 3 that would be !!A brand new brother or sister !!
Sam, Remember there are always private pilots – ie Pilots n Paws who do rescue flights! Anything is possible. Contact the rescue in this article, I am sure they would want a fantastic furever home for one of them.
Something worth wanting is worth the wait, and never impossible.
Thanks Susie, I will look in to that. Just went to check my mail box, and was very disappointed not to find that little beauty in it!!
Keep checking. Santa is on his way!
Ann said it perfectly…but, may I add IRRESPONSIBLE
Well thank god there was someplace these little babies could go. The people that dumped these little ones must be totally heartless. How could they do that to a member of the family? Just tippico, isn’t this the throw-away world : (
Thank you very much for bringing light to this wonderful Operation! As a fellow dog lover (and specifically Chihuahuas) this story touched my heart. I’m so glad such a wonderful thing is being done to help these abandoned dogs who deserve a lot more than the fate that has so far been dealt to them.
I hope by this point, these little darlin’s have gotten some wonderful, loving, forever homes.