Community Corner

15 California Chihuahuas Rescued from Euthanization by Small Miracles

The owner of an Ellicott City shelter said chihuahuas are being overbred in California, causing many dogs to be euthanized in shelters.

Inside Small Miracles Cat and Dog Rescue on Route 40 on Monday, dogs were being held by a group of women, some barking, some licking faces.

The dogs were part of a group of 15 chihuahuas rescued by Small Miracles from Los Angeles. The dogs arrived Wednesday morning at Dulles Airport after taking the red eye across the country from a shelter in Los Angeles, said the owner of the rescue center, Moira Liskovec.

"They came from shelters where they were going to be euthanized," said Liskovec, who was tipped off about the dogs from a Facebook post on the Small Miracles page. "We are going to find someone to adopt them. Hopefully they'll be gone soon, so we can save another 15."

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Liskovec said California is currently in the midst of a chihuahua boom due to the "Hollywood popularity" of the dogs. An Associated Press report from 2009 detailed the problem, reporting the small dogs make up 30 percent or more of dog populations in California shelters. The report blamed fans imitating celebrities like Paris Hilton, who tote the dogs around, for the recent boom.

The Los Angeles shelter where Liskovec received the dogs sends 15 dogs at a time. Each dog is spayed or neutered and between six months to 4 years old, according to Liskovec.

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Liskovec said her small shelter, which specializes in rescuing cats, has never had so many dogs as they did on Wednesday. But outside, two groups of people were walking around at least four chihuahuas, considering adopting them.

At a nearby table, Nancy Bowers, of Dundalk, and Jean Pollitt, of Parkville were holding Katie and Tokyo. At the same time, they were filling out adpotion forms. Both Bowers and Pollitt said they plan on fostering the dogs, just to make sure they enjoy the company of their current pets, and if they do, they will adopt them.

"I'm just amazed at how calm they are," said Pollitt, holding Tokyo. "You wonder what their background is, whether it's been difficult, but they seem sweet."

Bowers, who said she owns one chihuahua already, said of chihuahuas: "They're just so nice, they're very devoted to their owners. They become like your children."

Liskovec said anyone interested in adopting one of the dogs can do so at Small Miracles at 10236 Baltimore National Pike in Ellicott City. The cost to adopt one is $300.

Are you a chihuahua owner? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.


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