Cleveland, OHOn October 4, 2019 Secondhand Mutts reached out to assist one of our rescue partners, the Cleveland Animal Protective League, to assist them with some of the 84 Chihuahuas seized in September during a humane investigations case. Some of the dogs taken in are available for adoption while others were networked as they required special handling.
The Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter lent a hand taking in a handful of the dogs who are ready to transition into new homes. Some of those pups have some special needs and the normal adoption procedure will be altered for these dogs.
We welcome 6 female Chihuahua’s. The dogs have been named after members of the band The Go Go’s: Jane, Charlotte, Margo, Paula, Belinda and Gina.
We are grateful to be working along side two local animal rescue agencies to assist and continue our mission to ‘respect the dog’. Often times it’s dogs like these that can be the hardest to place because of the sudden transition they have made from the only life they knew to where they are today. The six dogs that we took in needed special handling due to their behavior or medical issues. Rescues like ours with the foster provider homes and patience to provide them with unlimited time and space to flourish often times thrive when they transition to their forever home. A formerly acquired and now adopted Chihuahua named Tiny we took in from a hoarding situation two years ago is one example the patience pays off. He was later adopted by our Founder and Director Becca.
Becca who is an animal lover of all breeds has had an affinity for helping the Doberman breed over the years fell fast for the Chihuahua breed after spending lots of time with Tiny Tito. The experience of learning from him, gaining his trust and having a better understanding of what it takes to rejuvenate a rescue Chihuahua has allowed us to provide our newest arrivals with the best care possible. It goes without saying she was up for the task of taking in the 6 knowing there would be a team of help and support for this rescue mission.
We are going to go The Extra Mile for these six dogs.
We will respect them. We will care for them.
We will do right by them.
Respect the dog™
The 6-pack, all girls, landed in our care on October 4 and despite the semi-traumatizing additional transition they have been adjusting in our relaxing decompression space equipped with 24/7 meditation sound, mood lighting, safe place hiding spaces, comfortable blankets and a designated wee-wee area (which they have all taken to with no accidents outside of this area). While they are not quite ready for visitors and some of the girls have yet to gain Becca’s trust to be petted lots of progress has been made in two weeks.
This video was taken, the dogs in our care less than a week, on October 10th. Charlotte is welcoming some pets while Margo looks on beside her.
The process of delicately socializing shut down, fearful, anxious dogs is time consuming. It requires a lot of patience, an understanding of dog behavior, the willingness to get bit, urinated or defecated on and lots of cheese. Yes, cheese. These Chihuahuas, like most dogs, love cheese.
The staff at The Mutt Hutt along side designated and experienced volunteers have helped with making appearances in the dogs decompression space allowing them to understand the do not need to feel threatened. Pens and gates allow the dogs to feel safe. Dog visitors of their own size and kind have also helped acclimate them to a future transition. They have enjoyed the company of “Tiny” Tito who they have welcomed. Perhaps in their own language he’s let them know they have hit the lottery!
After a week in our care the dogs were yet again carefully transported to see our friends at Gateway Animal Clinic for necessary vaccines and health examinations. Kudos to our volunteer transporters and chaperones Melanie and Alysse along side the amazingly dedicated Dr. Liz and Emily for their special handling and care of all six dogs. While it was not an easy feat (and some poop and more poop and a change of clothes) for the team at Gateway Animal Clinic they got the tasks accomplished.
After returning from their trip to Gateway Animal Clinic the dogs once again hunkered down together. Hours later, huddled together in the late evening hours of the night the girls welcomed petting from Becca before she head home for the night.
The girls are now set up for their spay surgeries which will take place later this month. All but two will be spayed: Charlotte and Margo. We have learned both of the girls are expecting puppies adding another element of surprise to Team Chihuahua’s plan. We are preparing and need your help.
In addition to needing general donations for the dogs care as they stay with us and transition into foster provider homes we need a supply of items for caring for Margo and Charlotte as they prepare for and give birth to their puppies in the days (Charlotte) and weeks (Margo) to come. We are rapidly getting a private quarantine space set up for the moms-to-be equipped with “mama-cams” which will be set up this weekend.
If you would like to contribute to their care and help us go The Extra Mile please consider making a donation of goods or a financial contribution. We are currently seeking the following item listed below. Links for online shopping are included to make things easier; however we encourage everyone to support your local pet and general supply stores and drop your donations off in person at 2603 Scranton Road in Cleveland Ohio.
Team Chihuahua Supply Wish List
- Purina Pro Plan Small Breed Formula puppy food for Charlotte and Margo while they are expecting and nursing
- Purina Pro Plan Small Breed Formula adult dog food for the adult dogs
- Velvetta Cheese. We welcome donors to chop the cheese up in bite size cubes stored in air tight containers.
- DONATED! THANK YOU!
(1) Collapsible Dog Pools: These will be used for whelping boxes to keep the puppies contained. Size Medium. - (1) Collapsible Dog Pools: These will be used for whelping boxes to keep the puppies contained. Size Medium.
- Unscented Baby Wipes: This link is for a case but any quantity works.
- Training Pads: We are desperate for these and need lots! Locally these training pads are available and priced the lowest at Marc’s.
- Fleece blankets and towels: We are always in need!
Monetary donations are always welcome. Your donations are also welcomed by mail or over the phone with a credit card by calling 216-664-9660…please note we will arrange a call back for phone donations so be sure to leave us a message with the best time to reach you.
We will continue to take each day one day at a time and look forward to learning more about each of the girls as individuals. Knowing the dogs while they are here and as they transition to their foster provider homes will give us the insight our Dog Adoption Committee members will need as we carefully screen and place the dogs into their forever homes. We are accepting applications for the dogs placement however we will not be processing applications until the dogs are near-ready for adoption. Our volunteers will stay in touch with applicants as we approach the placement date. The puppies, however many are bestowed upon us, will be ready for homes at the start of the new year.
Again, thank you so much for your kindness, support and for believing in our mission. We are inspired each day by the dogs who give us purpose and those who welcome them into their homes.
And never forget: Chihuahuas love cheese! Especially Jane.
Respect the dog™
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