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Puppies Aren't Products

Rescue a Chihuahua!

September 30, 2008 : 6:36 PM

Beverly Hills Chihuahua move is out today--now is the time to spread the word

Watch the Best Friends PSA: Rescue a Chihuahua!
Watch on the Best Friends website (higher quality)

Watch on YouTube

Like the movies “101 Dalmatians” and “Beethoven” before it, the release of “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” has animal welfare organizations concerned that Chihuahuas will be the next victims of our trend-crazed and impulse-purchase culture—even more than they already are.

Since word of the movie first began to leak out, those in the animal welfare community have been wondering what they can do to slow the rush of Chihuahua-buying surely to follow the movie. So were we at Best Friends.

After careful consideration and a little background research by our A Puppy Store Free LA staff, we discovered that the movie does have a rescue angle. That’s good news! It turns out that the movie’s main Chihuahua character, Papi, was rescued. (click here to read his story)

But still—some people will probably want a Chihuahua after seeing the movie, and we hope they don’t head to the classified ads in their local paper, to the Internet (unless they’re going to Petfinder) or to a pet store. To read Best Friends’ press release and position on the movie, click here.

Shelters around the country are already bursting with Chihuahuas, particularly in Los Angeles, the very place where the movie takes place. So we put our heads together and came up with ways that we can all spread the word that if you’re in the market for a Chihuahua, adopting one is the way to go.

How you can help spread the message: ADOPT a Chihuahua
1.) Click here to watch the video (and send it to a friend!)

2.) Download, print and hang up the poster (click the poster to download)

3.) Send this story to anyone you know who might be considering getting a Chihuahua

4.) Check out the hundreds of Chihuahuas available for adoption right now in Los Angeles shelters
-Los Angeles city shelters
-Los Angeles county shelters

5.) Find an adoptable Chihuahua near you. Go to: www.petfinder.com or www.adoptapet.com. (You’ll see that Drew Barrymore, voice of Chloe in the movie is on their home page with her rescued dog!)

Comments

November 6, 2008 at 12:57 PM
posted by: juliemae

I am the Mom of a wonderful rescued little boy chi, and in the process of adopting a little girl chi who is deaf and I can't wait for her to come home. If one plans to adopt a chihuahua, one must do your homework. They are wonderful, loving little creatures, but not for small children. My little boy was on "doggie death row' because he was purchased by a family with small children and the children were not taught how to handle the baby properly. I'm so glad I found him, he is the light of my life and we are looking forward to our new baby coming home. Thanks for all you do.

October 10, 2008 at 5:40 PM
posted by: bordercolliemom

Thank you BF for getting the message out there before the rush for a Chihuahua started. It was good of Disney to put up the web and remind people the responsibiliy of a dog, no matter the size. I too cringed when I started to see the trailers on TV.

October 6, 2008 at 8:40 PM
posted by: relytgem

Just saw the movie and Disney did a nice job with two dogs being rescued and the reminder at the end of the movie reminding the viewers that a dog is a lifelong companion and commitment. I have high hopes that we will be pleasantly surprised with the public's understanding.

October 6, 2008 at 5:53 PM
posted by: shellyk

how great is this? I am so proud of BF

October 6, 2008 at 3:45 PM
posted by: bessa

I wish the poster had space for what kind of homes Chihuahuas are best suited. It seems everyone who wants a Chihuahua at the shelter where I volunteer is totally unfamiliar with the breed (except that Paris Hilton has one) and ill-prepared to handle one.

October 6, 2008 at 12:22 PM
posted by: emily_petfinder

I'm the marketing manager at Petfinder.com and just posted this story about Best Friends' campaign on our blog:

http://blog.petfinder.com/petfinder/2008/10/06/using-beverly-hills-chihuahua/#more

We love that Best Friends is using this movie as an opportunity to raise awareness of puppy mills and adoption.

It's worth noting that there are currently 7,818 Chihuahuas waiting to be adopted on Petfinder right now.

October 3, 2008 at 12:56 PM
posted by: nicoled125

Is there any way to speak with the producers of the film and have them agree to show the Best Friends' video directly before the movie? That way movie attendants will remember to rescue a Chihuahua and not buy one. Is this a possibility?

October 3, 2008 at 8:11 AM
posted by: wendiie

I have a chihuahua i recieved from a friends family member. this lil' angel is timid and sooo attached to me i really wasnt sure i wanted her because all i saw was a scared lil dog running from here to there. but i knew in my heart she needed love comfort and security. when she came our home her back was hunched and tail between legs. (afraid). well that broke my heart, because my 2 dogs were never afraid, and belle just was overcome with fear. i bought a couple baby blankets and covered her up and held her for hours on end , (she gets cold easy shes 7 lbs. i always have warm throw blankets on couch 4 her to burrow under when im busy ).endless kisses. smoiled her with chicken and rice can food. she now happly runs the house and chases my 2 other dogs around and she is one happy sweetie. she sleeps on her back when she is at my side on the couch. something i never dreamed she woud do, and now loves her belly scratched at the same time.Sorry it so long, but my family members outside my household think i go overboard for doing these things for her but i love all my animals i have ever owned. Oh i think the previous owner bought her because of the movie legally blond.

October 2, 2008 at 1:49 PM
posted by: sarah1

I'm glad the movie has a rescue angle, and I hope we can get the word out to people before they purchase a chihuahua.

I know 2 people know who purchased full bred "chihuahuas" from local pet stores, only to have the vet tell them there was no way their dog was pure bred.

It's one thing to buy a dog because you like it, but it's another thing to buy a dog for the status when you don't even know what the dog is really supposed to look like.

October 2, 2008 at 8:48 AM
posted by: southerndogmom

I'm glad to hear the movie has a rescue angle. I've never understood why someone would watch a movie and then go "buy" a living thing but I know it happens.

BF already has a campaign in the works which will start in the LA area - it's called the Puppy Store Free USA campaign - and has solicited PSA entries to consider for broadcast. None of the PSA's submitted were done by celebrities and BF has yet to decide which entry to use, if any.

October 2, 2008 at 5:30 AM
posted by: yukonmesa

On the way home from work yesterday, I heard a radio commerical for this movie. I cringed & said to myself, "Oh no, another dog that is going to be overbred at puppy mills & then sold rather than being adopted." I am so happy to see that Best Friends is taking a proactive approach to this. That's one of many reasons why I love your organization. Can't wait to return in January!

October 1, 2008 at 7:20 PM
posted by: silly4animals

Thank you for being one step ahead of the puppy breeders!!!!!

I've already started seeing an increase in Chihuahua's around where I live and none of them are rescues ;( Thanks for the downloadable poster, it's being printed as I type ;)

October 1, 2008 at 5:53 PM
posted by: Kendra

That poster is too cute. I want it on a shirt! Best Friends and PetFinder should get together and sell them ;)

October 1, 2008 at 5:05 PM
posted by: heidi_56

I have a precious little 6 lb blackand white Chihuahua named Gidget Felica L L.W.A. after last name. shewas thrown away on uor street withher other brother and sister but found us which is great.For the ones who got the other two went to her ex inlaws who breads them. Not this baby. she loves chicken, sleeps in juor bed on hubby's pillow nad knows when it is time to take my meds. all of uor pets were either free and 2 canme from shelters rest were goven to us or thrown away on our street. But Gidget is here to stay till she goes to the bridge so spoiled too.Just love the little one.

Hugs Heidi

October 1, 2008 at 5:02 PM
posted by: anniemac01

What is the best way to contact Disney to register concern? At the very least, Disney should make a public statement urging people to act with responsibility.

October 1, 2008 at 3:53 PM
posted by: just_tracy

I noticed that too, Joy. I think that it's pretty responsible of them to put the PSA out there on the wed site.... truthfully, though, I'd be much more impressed with Disney if it was shown at the start of the movie - on screen - and at the beginning of the credits when it's over. Maybe, in tandum with the poster above, that way it might help curb the frenzy.

October 1, 2008 at 3:45 PM
posted by: PeppersMom2

As much as I love movies with dogs in them--a part of me cringes because I know that people will run out and get a dog because he was sooooo cute in the movie. Dogs are forever!!!

October 1, 2008 at 3:00 PM
posted by: Joy

Did you notice the notation at the bottom of the movie's website?

"Owning a pet is a major responsibility. Dogs require daily care and constant attention. Before bringing a dog into your family, research the specific breed to make sure it is suitable for your particular situation. Learn about and be willing to undertake the serious responsibilities of dog care. Always consider adoption from a reputable shelter or rescue program."

October 1, 2008 at 2:58 PM
posted by: brownbat

Drew Barrymore is a responsible animal welfare person. I'm sure she would record a PSA about the importance of adopting rescue dogs. Perhaps it could be shown in movie theatres prior to the film.
Is anyone at BF-LA in touch with her management?

October 1, 2008 at 2:51 PM
posted by: troublemaker

I think that if you ask the managers of the theaters if you can put up the poster that supports adoptions along with the local shelters information will make people think about these options as opposed to buying. Maybe a table with puppy mill literature.

October 1, 2008 at 2:46 PM
posted by: jamesw2

This may be a tall order but ask the the theaters to put an ad before the movie about Best Friends rescue and how the public can rescue a Chihuahua.
Also as a public service include a sound bite about responsabable pet ownership.
It would be good if you could get the Motion Pix Union to help educate about adoption and if they buy (puppy mills) It's the least the union could do after they have made a lot of money off of the film and we ( shelters/et.al.) have to clean up

Next you could do is talk Michael Moor into doing his thing on the pet education problem

October 1, 2008 at 2:33 PM
posted by: badmimi

I have already rescued 3 chihuahuas and now have a total of 5. I plan on showing up at a few theatres with my gang and showing your poster reminding folks of the importance of taking care of abandoned pets sitting in shelters all over the country!