How to Adopt a Chihuahua in the United States | PetzLover
To adopt a Chihuahua in the United States, search local shelters and Chihuahua rescues, fill in an application, meet the dog, pass any home check and pay the adoption fee, which the American Kennel Club puts at typically $50 to $300 for shelter dogs. An adult Chihuahua from rescue comes with a known size, coat and temperament, so you can choose one that fits your children, other pets and working hours.
Rescues and shelters place Chihuahuas of every age, and because the breed typically lives 14 to 16 years, a dog of seven or eight can still have many good years ahead. This guide covers why so many Chihuahuas need homes, where to look, whether the breed suits you, the adoption steps, health questions and the first weeks.
Key points
- Look at both local shelters and Chihuahua breed rescues, many of which keep dogs in foster homes.
- Typical shelter adoption fees are $50 to $300 (AKC) and usually include vaccines, a microchip and spay or neuter.
- Ask about teeth, kneecaps, heart and any cough, the breed's best-known health problems.
- Plan a warm, quiet start; many adopted dogs need about three months to feel fully at home.
Why are so many Chihuahuas in shelters and rescues?
Popularity has a cost. In 2009 the Christian Science Monitor reported that Chihuahuas had become the most common breed in California shelters, citing a Los Angeles Times figure of 4,700 Chihuahuas taken in by Los Angeles-area shelters in one year. Advocates blamed pop-culture fame, breeders who expanded to meet demand, and new owners who found the commitment more than they expected.
Other Chihuahuas arrive because an elderly owner has died, a family has a new baby, or barking and house-training proved hard. None of that is the dog's fault, and many make devoted companions in the right home.
Should you adopt a Chihuahua from a shelter or a breed rescue?
| Route | How it works | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Public or private shelter | Dogs live in kennels; adoption can be quick | Fees are often lower; a small dog may seem shy or noisy in a busy kennel |
| Chihuahua breed rescue | Volunteers foster dogs at home and screen adopters | Fosters can tell you how the dog acts with children, dogs and visitors |
| Private rehoming | An owner places the dog directly | Full history, but you rely on the owner's honesty |
The Chihuahua Club of America has a rescue chair and lists Chihuahua rescue groups, and the AKC Rescue Network lists national breed club rescue contacts. You can also browse Chihuahuas for adoption on PetzLover by location and save the search to get alerts. For owners placing a dog directly, see taking in a rehomed Chihuahua.
Is a Chihuahua right for your home?
- Children. PetMD says children should be watched closely with Chihuahuas to avoid accidental injury. If you have young children, ask for a dog known to be relaxed with them.
- Other dogs. Larger playmates can hurt a Chihuahua by accident; a calm or small companion is safer.
- Apartments. The size suits small homes, but Chihuahuas are alert and often bark at newcomers, so think about neighbors.
- Time alone. Chihuahuas bond closely and can develop separation anxiety.
- Cold. They get cold easily; plan for a sweater and a warm bed in winter.
- Training. PetMD notes the breed can be harder to house-train than many, so an adult that is already trained saves months.
A calm adult whose habits a foster carer already knows is often the easiest start for a first-time owner.
How does the Chihuahua adoption process work?
- Search shelters, Chihuahua rescues and adoption listings near you.
- Ask questions about behavior, health and why the dog needs a home; message the poster before you apply.
- Apply. Expect questions about your home, landlord, family, other pets, your vet and your schedule.
- Meet the dog, ideally more than once, with everyone who lives with you. Sit on the floor and let it come to you.
- Home check. Some rescues visit or ask for a video tour; for a small dog they look at gaps in fences and gates, stairs and other pets.
- Contract and fee. Most contracts require you to return the dog to the group if it does not work out.
- Take the dog home with its records, microchip details and a few days of its usual food.
Rescuers and owners can read the companion guide on listing a Chihuahua for adoption.
What health questions should you ask about an adopted Chihuahua?
PetMD lists patellar luxation, collapsing trachea, dental disease, heart disease, hypoglycemia and hydrocephalus among the breed's health problems. Ask the rescue:
- Has a vet checked the kneecaps, and was a grade given?
- Has anyone heard a cough, especially a honking one, or a heart murmur?
- What state are the teeth in, and has the dog had a dental cleaning?
- Is it at a healthy weight? PetMD says the breed is prone to obesity.
- Which vaccines, parasite treatments and surgery are included in the fee?
Fees usually cover a vet exam, core vaccines, a microchip and spay or neuter, which would cost more paid separately. Real rescues publish their fees; the FTC advises walking away from any adoption that wants payment by gift card, wire, cryptocurrency or a cash app, or will not let you meet the dog.
How do you help an adopted Chihuahua settle in?
Many shelters use a 3-3-3 guideline: about three days to decompress, three weeks to learn your routine and three months to feel at home.
- Give it a warm, quiet bed or crate in a corner, and let it come to you.
- Walk it on a well-fitted harness; VCA advises a harness rather than a collar for dogs prone to tracheal collapse.
- Check the yard for gaps a very small dog could squeeze through, and fit an ID tag from day one.
- Set rules for children: sit on the floor to hold the dog, and no carrying it around.
- Restart house-training with frequent trips outside and praise.
- Book a vet visit in the first week or two and register the microchip in your name; the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup shows which registry holds it.
If you would rather raise a puppy from health-tested parents, see how to buy a Chihuahua puppy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to adopt a Chihuahua?
The American Kennel Club puts typical shelter adoption fees at $50 to $300, and breed rescues set their own fees. Fees usually include vaccines, a microchip and spay or neuter, which would cost more if paid separately.
Are there Chihuahua rescues in the US?
Yes. The Chihuahua Club of America has a rescue chair and lists rescue groups, the AKC Rescue Network lists national breed club rescue contacts, and many independent rescues focus on the breed. Local shelters take in Chihuahuas too.
Is an adopted Chihuahua good with children?
It depends on the dog. PetMD advises close supervision with children to avoid accidental injury. Ask the foster carer how the dog has behaved with children, and choose one known to be relaxed.
Should I adopt a senior Chihuahua?
Seniors are often calm and settled, and the breed typically lives 14 to 16 years, so an older Chihuahua can still have years ahead. Ask about teeth and heart, since PetMD calls heart failure the leading cause of death in older Chihuahuas, and budget for vet care.
Why do rescues ask so many questions before you adopt a Chihuahua?
Many Chihuahuas in rescue have already lost one home, and the group wants the next placement to last. Questions about children, other dogs, time alone and your landlord help match the right dog. Answer honestly.
How long does an adopted Chihuahua take to settle?
Many dogs follow a rough 3-3-3 pattern: three days to decompress, three weeks to learn the routine and three months to feel at home. Shy Chihuahuas may take longer to trust visitors, so keep the first weeks calm.
Helpful guides
Pet for AdoptionHow to List a Chihuahua for Adoption in the United StatesSet criteria for each Chihuahua, publish a fair fee, write an honest profile with weight, health and behavior, screen adopters carefully and follow up after the dog goes home.
Pet for SaleHow to Buy a Chihuahua Puppy in the United StatesChoose a breeder whose dogs have heart, eye and kneecap tests, meet the puppy with its mother, avoid teacup sellers and budget for the first year before you buy a Chihuahua puppy in the US.
Pet for SaleHow to Sell Chihuahua Puppies in the United StatesHealth-test the parents, keep puppies until they eat reliably, price fairly without size labels, and screen buyers for homes that suit a tiny dog before you sell Chihuahua puppies in the US.
Pet for FreeHow to Get a Free Chihuahua Safely in the United StatesMeet the dog and owner in person, have a vet check its knees, teeth, heart and breathing, never pay fees up front, and budget for the care a free Chihuahua may still need.
Pet for FreeHow to Give Away a Chihuahua for Free Without Risk in the United StatesCheck with your breeder or rescue first, disclose health and behavior honestly, screen for a home that suits a tiny dog, sign a short agreement and hand over in person.
Pet for RehomingHow to Take In a Rehomed Chihuahua in the United StatesAsk about history, bites, barking and health, meet the Chihuahua in its home, pay any fee only at handover, and give it a warm, steady routine while it settles.
Pet for RehomingHow to Rehome Your Chihuahua Responsibly in the United StatesCall your breeder or rescue first, try fixes for barking or accidents, then list your Chihuahua honestly, screen for a home that suits a tiny dog and hand over with records and an agreement.
Pet WantedHow to Respond to a "Chihuahua Wanted" Ad in the United StatesMessage the poster first, ask about their home and why they want a Chihuahua, verify them, avoid overpayment and shipping scams, and hand over with records and a written agreement.
Pet WantedHow to Post a "Chihuahua Wanted" Ad and Get Replies in the United StatesSay whether you want a puppy or an adult, the coat, your budget, location and household, then check every reply carefully before you pay or take a Chihuahua home.