Calif. Shelters See Surge in Chihuahuas

Shelters in other parts of the country happy to take popular breed

(NEWSER) - Just in time for the holidays, New Hampshire has dozens of Chihuahuas available for adoption thanks to a new project. A group of animal lovers, including actress Katherine Heigl, launched Project Flying Chihuahuas after hearing about the overpopulation of the diminutive breed in California shelters (some call it “Paris Hilton syndrome”). Dozens have been transported to New York, Denver, and New Hampshire, the Christian Science Monitor reports. More»

California ships purse dogs East—but doesn't send enough

(NEWSER) - The migration of Chihuahuas from overloaded California shelters to the East Coast has gotten a lot of press—maybe too much. The publicity led 150 New Yorkers to line up outside the ASPCA yesterday to compete for 15 Chihuahuas. “This is a fucking joke,” one would-be owner tells Gawker . “In the paper they said there were hundreds of Chihuahua. Now they tell us there are only 15?” More»

City aims to stamp out sales of 'puppy-mill' pets

(NEWSER) - The animal-rights trailblazers on West Hollywood's City Council have passed an ordinance banning pet shops from selling cats and dogs. No stores in the city currently sell the animals, but council leaders hope the move will set an example to other cities and help put "puppy mills" and "kitten factories" out of business, the Los Angeles Times reports. More»

Holding period halved from 6 days to 3; may doom lost pets before owners can find them

(NEWSER) - California's budget deal could mean lost family pets meet the Grim Reaper sooner rather than later, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. The deal cuts the time shelters are required to hold animals from six days to three, and officials fear the move could mean animals in shelters lacking resources will be euthanized while owners are still searching for them—and before they can be moved to no-kill shelters or rescue groups. More»

(NEWSER) - A 2-year old mixed breed, Chinese Crested and Chihuahua, dog named Elwood won top honors as the world's ugliest dog at the Marin-Sonoma County Fair. Elwood's owner, Karen Quigley was delighted with the outcome. This was Elwood's second try at the title. No word on whether Karen and Elwood will appear again next year. More»