Adopting a Yankee Chihuahua

YCRAA Chihuahuas have all found themselves homeless through no fault of their own. Some are released to us by their owners due to changes in family circumstances; some are from owners realizing that a Chihuahua is not a good match for them; some are strays from animal shelters and humane societies; a few come from puppy mills and backyard breeders. Our adult Chihuahuas are spayed/neutered, tested and if necessary, treated, for heart worm and other parasites, and brought up to date on their inoculations prior to their placement in loving forever homes.

Adoption Process

The first step in adoption is to fill out an Adoption Application This forms gives basic information about the type of Chihuahua that will best fit into the your family.

Once the application is received and reviewed to ensure it is complete and meets our adoption criteria. A YCRAA volunteer will then contact you for a phone interview, and arrange for a home visit.

When there is a particular YCRAA dog you may be interested in the Foster Mom will also contact you to talk about their foster. We do not have a shelter or facility where the Chihuahuas may be visited, we are a network of foster homes here in New England. Foster parents volunteer their time and put a lot into evaluating and rehabilitating YCRAA Chihuahuas until they are ready for placement
If it seems like a good match a visit is arranged to meet the dog.

Sometimes a home is approved to adopt a YCRAA Chihuahua but it is not the best match for the particular dog requested. The application then remains on file as a "Pre-approved Home" until the right dog comes along. We often have dogs that have just come in and are not listed yet, but the Adoption Coordinator will know about them. Many of our YCRAA chihuahuas get matched to applicants that are waiting on our "Approved Homes" list. Becoming an Approved Home is the best way to be matched with a YCRAA dog.

Adoption Donation

• The requested adoption donation of a Chihuahua up to 6 years old is $375, and is fully tax deducible. This donation helps defray the veterinary costs incurred for immunizations, heart worm testing and prevention, micro chip, other medical needs and spay/neuter for adult dogs placed by YCRAA,Inc.
• For older dogs or those with a health issue the amount requested is reduced or waved.
• For puppies, YCRAA also requires a signed Spay/Neuter Contract and a Pre-paid Receipt from a veterinarian for surgery at the adopters expense.

Please note that the adoption donations do not even begin to cover our vet costs, as we do accept Chihuahuas and Chi mixes that need expensive vet treatment, and we accept very elderly ones. When these dogs are not suitable for adoption, they live out their lives with a volunteer as part of our "Special Needs" program. We depend on private donations and the sale of items from our web site to supplement the adoption donations.

Adoption Policies of YCRAA

• We serve the six New England states ONLY (New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, and Rhode Island). We cannot rescue dogs nor can we offer them for adoption to you if you do not live within New England. New Englanders can adopt from any of the six states.
• YCR offers dogs for adoption only to households in which there are no children under 10 years of age without special approval of the YCR Board of Directors.
• All adult dogs are neutered before placement.
• All dogs under 6 months require a signed Spay/Neuter Contract and a signed receipt from the adopters veterinarian stating that spay/neuter surgery has been paid in full by the adopter.
• All dogs are micro chipped and registered with YCRAA as the primary contact and the adopted family as secondary.

Senior Dogs - "Golden Oldies"

"Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog."
- Sydney Jeanne Seward

      Adopting a senior dog can be an extremely rewarding experience. It is not for everyone, but those who have the time and the heart to take in a senior are usually richly rewarded. Many of these dogs lost loving homes when an owner died or became too ill to care for them. A few were discarded when they developed health problems, and no one cared enough to get treatment for them. Others are casualties of a divorce or a move to a place where dogs are not allowed.
They are often frightened at first, and confused by the loss of a long-familiar home. It can take a little extra time and patience to convince them that they can be safe and loved again. Once they feel secure, though, they seem to know they've been given a second chance at life. They don't ask for much: just a warm place to sleep, good meals, and plenty of love.
They will not be with you as long as a younger dog - but you will have given them years of love in place of fear, confusion, and a premature death. And the love and gratitude they give in return is a very special thing.

Reasons to Adopt a Senior Dog

• Senior dogs love to sleep and cuddle the day away. They enjoy a brisk daily walk, but the best part of the day is the nap. They love for you to join them.
• Senior dogs have a tremendous amount of love to give. When you rescue a senior dog, you have a best friend for life.
• Senior dogs reward your care with an unwavering devotion. Nothing matches the love of a senior dog for his family.
• Senior dogs have learned many of life's lessons. They know, for example, that shoes are for walking and bones are for chewing.
• Senior dogs know that great outdoors is for eliminating and the house is for relaxing. Your carpet will last longer with a senior dog.
• Senior dogs can learn new tricks and be valuable family and community members. They make excellent therapy dogs.
• Senior dogs often fit into your household with ease. They find the softest, warmest spot in the house and claim it for their own, but they will share with you, too.
• Senior dogs make excellent companions for everyone, especially senior people.
• Senior dogs are often the first to be killed in area shelters. Passed over for cute and cuddly puppies, they often do not have a chance and must go to make space for more puppies.
• Adopting a senior dog saves a life!