Adoption Application 2025

New Zealand Chihuahua Rescue Trust - Adoption Application 2025

Please read the below details before you complete this application form.
Thank you for taking the time to apply to adopt a dog through New Zealand Chihuahua Rescue. We are a registered New Zealand Charity (no. CC11559)

Our priority is always the wellbeing of the dogs, and we take the time and care needed to match each one with the right forever home.

We understand that applying to welcome a new family member into your home can be an emotional process and appreciate your patience and honesty. Please take the time to review the information about the adoption process to ensure you are aware of the requirements.
Your Details:

Please let us know as much detail as possible so we can find your family the best match of companion. Our application is comprehensive as we want to ensure we provide the best match of dog for your family and needs.
Full Name of the Main Applicant:*
First, middle and last name of the person who is applying to own the dog.
Gender

MaleFemaleOther
Your Date of Birth:*
Day-month-year
Current Age:*
Day-month-year
Your residency Status*

New Zealand CitizenPermanent ResidentWorking VisaTravel VisaOther
Your Email*
Please note: our primary contact method is via email.
Phone Number

Area CodePhone Number
Address*

Street Address

CitySuburb

Postal Code
Which District Council are you in? *
(ie. "Waimakariri" or "Christchurch City Council" - required for any adoption to be confirmed (via our council and yours)
Do you have a spouse?*

No.Yes I have a spouse - but we live separately.Yes I have a spouse - we live together.
Are you employed at present?*

Yes, I am an employeeYes, I am an employer or business owner (I work for myself)I'm retiredI'm a beneficiaryI'm a studentI'm currently searching for work.
Occupation:
Do you have the ability to work from home?*

Not applicable to me.NoNot sure - I will need to seek approval from my EmployerTemporarily - while I integrate the dog only.Yes - On an ongoing and regular basis.
Which days do you work from home?
For example: "Yes - Monday and Fridays.; or" type "none" if not applicable
Do you plan to take the dog to work?*

YesNo
If so, what kind of work environment would it be?
Please provide all details possible so we can ensure that any dog placed with you will be suitable for a workplace.
Application Details:

If applying for a particular dog - please review their profile first to ensure you meet their adopter requirements AND that they are available to adopt!
Are you submitting your adoption application with a particular dog in mind?*

YESNO - I just want to be added to the database of potential adopters.BOTH - If not successful please retain my application for any others.
What is the name of the dog you're applying for?
Please ensure you meet the adopter requirements noted on their profile (on our website)
Why do you feel this particular dog is a match for your family?
.
Have you applied to New Zealand Chihuahua Rescue Prior?*

Yes.No.Not sure.
Within the past 3 months, have you applied to adopt any other animals at any other organisation or breeder?*
Your Spouse or Partner Details (if relevant):

Please let us know as much detail as possible so we can find your family the best match of companion. Our application is comprehensive as we want to ensure we provide the best match of dog for your family and needs.
Full Name of Spouse or Partner:
First, middle and last name
Gender of spouse (relevant only for certain dogs who may be fearful of a particular gender)

MaleFemaleOther
DOB of Spouse:
(ie. 65 years, 4 August 1958)
Occupation of Spouse
Please confirm working days, hours or roster details for your spouse (as best you can):
NOTE! do not put phrases such as "only nights". We ask for the days/times that are typical if you consider the past few weeks routine. This is so we can understand your general routine and ensure that a dog is matched accordingly.
Does your spouse plan to take the dog to work?

YesNo
Working Schedules & Routine:

Working Schedules: every rescue dog needs time to settle into their new home, family, and routine. For at least the first month, dogs should not be introduced to new environments or people outside the household, including being taken to work. Your home is already a major change, and adding further stimulation too soon can be overwhelming and counterproductive. During this period, adopters also need to be available to establish routines such as toileting and training. This adjustment phase is critical to the dog’s long-term wellbeing and success in their new home.

Property Details and Fencing:

Providing a secure environment is essential for the safety of our dogs. When dogs first goon an adoption trial, they often experience anxiety and may seek out ways to escape. It is crucial to consider your current fencing and whether it could allow a small dog to escape. Assess the condition of your fencing to ensure it is secure or repairs or reinforcements are needed. Photos: Please do not include photos of your pets or people. We only require clear photos of the backyard area(s), any gates expected to contain the dog and your fencing to ensure it is solid and safe.
Home details:*
Please note: if renting, flatting or boarding we require written consent from your landlord to ensure they're aware and consent to you adopting a dog at their property.
Do you have landlord consent to adopt?

Upload Document(s)
NOTE: This is required for all applicants renting, boarding or residing in a Housing New Zealand Property. Please attach an email or a signed letter of consent from your landlord or tenancy manager (we have a template on our website if needed!) SUBMISSION SPECIFICATIONS: 2 uploads maximum, PDF, doc, docx, jpg, jpeg, or png Cancelof
How long have you lived at your current home?*
Do you have plans to move from this address within the next 12 months?*

YesNoUnsure
Do you have any pools, ponds or other body of water the dog could access?*

YesNo
Is your property fully-fenced?*

YesNoI will need to make some repairs or build before the home inspectionOther
Do you consent to a property inspection?*

YesNo
Please attach clear photos of your backyard and fencing (ONLY). If you are rural, please attach the fenced in area the dog will toilet dog in. *** Please do NOT include photos of current pets or people! ****

Add photos
ATTACH clear pictures of your backyard, generally, fencing and any OUTDOOR areas the dog will have access to. DO NOT include people or the current pets. SUBMISSION SPECIFICATIONS: we accept 10 files. File types accepted are: Pdf, doc, docx, jpg, jpeg, png. Cancelof

Household and Family Member Details:

Understanding your household and those in your family will help us pair a dog with you that will integrate well with existing family members and easily transition into your work or life routines. The more information we have, the easier it is for us to determine if a dog is likely to be a great match for your family!
Have you discussed adopting a dog with all of the others in your household?*

YesNoOther
Does anyone suffer from pet-related allergies in your home?*

YesNo
Are there any other adults in the home (18+)?*

NoYesOnly my spouse - details aboveOther
Do any children under 10 years old live in the home?*

YesNo
Do you have any children visiting your home frequently? (ie. your kids, step kids, grandkids any other regular visitors under 10 years old)*

YesNo

Details of current pets:

Please let us know the below details so we can ensure we match a dog with your family that will easily integrate with existing pets.
Do you have any dogs currently?*

Yes (please complete the details below!)No.No - but I do regularly have other dogs in my home (ie. pet-sitting).

CURRENT DOGS: please include as much detail about your current dogs as you can, this helps us to ensure an adopted dog will be a great match and not upset your current pets.

	Name	Breed	Gender	Age	Are they de-sexed?	Personality traits (add specifics!)
Pet 1
Pet 2
Pet 3
Pet 4

What do your current dogs eat?
Please confirm brand and diet details (ie. kibble, raw meat)
Pet insurance: are your pets insured?
Note: we always recommend pet insurance for any animals, rescue dogs included!
Where do your current dog(s) sleep?
Please confirm where your current dogs sleep, for example: "in our bed.. in our lounge... where-ever they'd like to."
How often do you exercise your dog(s) in an average week?
Please confirm details. What activities does this involve? (for example: walks)
How many dogs are you licensed to keep at your property?*
Please contact your local Council if unsure.
How often will the adopted dog be left alone (without humans) in your home per DAY?*
Please do not enter "never" or other phrases. consider and be as honest as possible so we can consider which dogs will best match your home (ie. those with separation anxiety may not be suitable for someone away for 4 hours. This mismatch which could compromise their adoption being successful which is stressful for the dog and for you!)
What are your plans for the dog when not home?*
For example: "crated in the lounge" OR "confined to the dining/lounge area but able to roam." OR "garage, crated."
Are you able (financially) and willing to engage a professional dog trainer to work with you and a rescue dog, to resolve any integration or behaviour issues?*

Yes - I'd like a local (CHCH) recommendation.Yes - and I can provide details of a professional Trainer I work with.Depends - cost is a factor for meNo.
What is your plan for the dog if you head away on holiday and the dog CANNOT go with you? *
Please note: we have limited foster placements to utilise so cannot 'puppy-sit' adopted dogs. As we don't have a center we cannot offer boarding facilities. If planning any trips or holidays please consider where the dog would be in your absence.
Do you have any other animals living with you?*

Yes.No.
What are the details of your other animals? (ie. species, gender, where they're housed and if they've lived with dogs prior).
We want to ensure that both the new dog and your animals are safe! We need to know what animals are at your home to ensure the dog is suitable around them.
Please confirm the NAME of your regular vet clinic(s) or the last one used for previous pets:*
Please type the name of your vet clinic "ie. Chihuahua Avenue Vet Partners, CHCH"
Do you give consent for us to contact your vet clinic for a reference?*

YesNo
Have you ever needed to surrender a pet to a rescue, or re-home them?*

Yes (confirm details below)No
If yes - please provide details here:
Please provide details of the pet and circumstances - we appreciate your honesty and transparency.
Have you owned a dog prior?*

YesNoOther
Have you owned a Chihuahua prior?*

YesNoOther

What kind of companion are you searching for?

Please let us know as much detail as possible about the companion you are envisioning joining your family - This helps us to help you! if we know your needs and expectations, we can more easily match you with a dog. We appreciate your honesty, transparency and time doing so.
Which statement is most true for you? (pick 1-3 if needed).*

I/we need a dog that will be able to join in busy family life and be around kids (ie. not upset by noise or unpredictable movements).I want a social dog (ie. generally fine when meeting strangers)I want a dog who is able to come to my workplace regularly.I need an energetic dog, fit to participate in outdoor activities.I want a dog who would be fit for training (ie. agility or obedience).I don't need a social dog (ie. it doesn't matter if they're social as they won't often be around strangers often).I need a quiet, calm and easygoing dog. Not energetic or active, a lap dog.I want a dog who is able to go on short walks, but not too much in terms of excercise.My main reason for considering adoption is that I need a dog as a companion for my existing dog(s).I'm interested in adopting a dog as a gift for my child, family member or friend.I want to help a special needs or disabled dog.I want to specfically adopt a senior dog.Other

How active are you and your family? (ie. outdoor activities etc. Select: between 1 = not and 5 = very)*

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Not overly active, 5 is Very active

Which outdoor activities do you anticipate the dog would participate in?
Please provide details so we can consider whether we have a suitable companion.

How social are you and your family? (Select between: 1 = not and 5 = very)*

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Never or minimal, 5 is Very social - we love people!

What kinds of social activities do you do as a family that a dog would join?
Please provide details so we can consider whether we have a social companion suitable to join (ie. How often you visit others and go out? or do you often entertain in your home?)

How "strict" would you say you are in terms of rules and boundaries with dogs or your other animals?

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Not at all, 5 is Very - it's important to me

What are the reasons for your selection?
Please provide details - What rules are there in the household for your dog/pet(s)? (ie. are they allowed in all areas of your home? on furniture?)

How difficult do you find it to be enforcing the dogs' rules and boundaries? (please be honest!)

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Not at all very comfortable. My pets know the rules and boundaries., 5 is Very hard for me - I am too soft! I love them too much and end up cuddling or giving them food.

How confident are you training a rescue dog needing to learn general obedience commands (sit, stay, down etc)?*

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Not at all, havent got experience with attending any training or didnt find it useful, 5 is Very comfortable and experienced doing so.

How comfortable are you adopting a dog that needs continuing assistance with toilet-training? (ie. dogs re-learning or puppies)

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Not at all - they MUST be 100% fully toilet-trained., 5 is Very comfortable - I can do that if needed.

Please list recent experience training a dog if any (ie. teaching them general commands, agility, obedience, or experience as a foster parent): *
Please provide details - we love to know about your experience and skill ranges and it will help us to match a dog to you and your experience level (if relevant)

How confident are you with dogs who suffer behavioural issues (ie. separation anxiety, reactive or nippy, requiring socialisation etc)?*

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Not at all, 5 is Very

Reasons for your selection:
What experience do you have with dog training, psychology, obedience, or behavioural issues? (which led to the above scores).

How important is it that the dog is social with children?*

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Not at all, 5 is Very

How important is it that the dog is cat-friendly?*

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Not at all, 5 is Very

How important is it that the dog is social with other dogs?*

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Not at all, 5 is Very

How important is it that the dog is stranger friendly?*

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Not at all, 5 is Very

Are you only interested in a particular gender?*

Females onlyMales onlyNo - as long as the dog is match for me
Which qualities are most important to you in finding the right doggy companion?*
Please note: we consider aspects like the dogs personality, temperament and energy level and whether those match you/r family first. Not the appearance, coat, color or even gender of the dog. It's crucial you consider and let us know honestly what qualities you need in a new pet.
Are you willing to adopt a bonded pair? (Note: this is ONLY applicable to bonded pairs. We don't adopt out two separate dogs at once)*

No - just oneYesI'm open to it depending on the dog(s)
Are you willing to adopt a senior dog? (ie. over 7 years old - keeping in mind toy breeds can live 18-20 years)*

NoYesI'm open to it depending on the dog
Have you cared for any special needs dogs (or pets) prior?*

YesNoOther
Please provide details of your experience (ie. medical conditions of the pet):
Please confirm the details: species of animal and the special needs they had. For example: "Yes - a dog with epilepsy, needed regular medication and monitoring etc."
Are you willing to adopt a dog that needs any of the following ... tick any that would be a YES:*

Ongoing behavioral training/assistance (from you OR a trainer)Ongoing medications (ie. pain relief, arthritis/joint or heart meds)Ongoing physio (ie. orthopedic support)Specialist vet diet food (ie. due to allergies or illness)Chronic conditions (ie. heart, pancreas, luxating patellas, epilepsy)A blind, deaf or other special needs dog.

Future Planning:

It may seem like a significant expectation, but it’s crucial that our dogs find a home for life. We understand that unexpected situations can arise, but small dogs often live 18–20 years, and we want to ensure that Adopters are prepared for this long-term commitment. This includes having a plan in place to ensure the dog is well cared for throughout their life. Our dogs need reliable and committed owners who can also provide for their physical, mental and financial needs. We want to find their best possible match from the start, so they never need to return to the rescue. This is why we take such care in placing them in homes where they can thrive forever!.
Do you suffer any health or medical conditions that may require you to enter hospital for a period of time, or otherwise impact your ability to care for a dog?*

Yes (please consider who would look after the dog in any absence)No
If you became unwell, entered care, passed away, or were otherwise unable to look after the dog any longer, what would be your rehoming plan for them?*
Please avoid providing a vague response like "my family would probably do it." This has been a common reason Adopters have had to rely on our rescue in the past. We ask that you carefully consider this question and consult with your family to create a concrete plan for your dog's care in case unforeseen circumstances arise.
If you were admitted to hospital or otherwise unable to look after the dog TEMPORARILY, what is your plan for them?*
lease avoid providing a vague response like "my family would probably do it." This has been a common reason Adopters have had to rely on our rescue in the past. We ask that you carefully consider this question and consult with your family to create a concrete plan for your dog's care in case unforeseen circumstances arise.
Have you discussed the above with your nominated person?.*

No - I don't know who I could nominate.Not yet - I will speak with my nominated person and confirm.Yes - My nominated person consents AND considers this when making future plans.Yes - It is already noted legally in my Will.
Who will be responsible for the financial costs of maintenance and health upkeep for the dog?*
Dogs can be a significant financial commitment. Consider costs for: vet visits and bloods, routine dental care and dental cleaning under sedation, or emergency medical care, quality flea and worming treatments, quality food, vaccinations, annual registration etc. It can amount to thousands per year.
Have you researched common breed health issues?*

YesA little bit, not really.No
Are you confident you can meet the ongoing costs associated with a dog (ie. dental procedures, yearly Council registration, vaccinations, worm and flea, quality pet food and any other veterinary treatment or needs)*

Yes - I have planned for thisNot sure - I need some time to consider thisNot sure - I don't know if its financially feasible right now.
If selected, are you able/willing to purchase (or otherwise source) the basics? (ie. a crate, bowls, harness, leash etc?)*

Yes - I have planned for this. I have those available or will purchase prior.No - I need time to consider thisNot sure - I don't know if its financially feasible right now.
If successful, are you willing to commit to the dog emotionally and financially from the date of trial?*

Yes. I understand once we begin the trial they are my financial responsibility.No. I don't know if its financially feasible right now.
If successful, are you able to provide the full adoption fee prior to the date of trial (all fees are by deposit to the trust account prior to collection of the dog)*

Yes - I have planned for thisNo - I need time to consider this
Are there any other additional details that may assist with your application, or us getting to know you as a prospective doggy-parent?
For example: any relevant hobbies or whether you have any special training or skills (ie.vet, trainer etc) that may give us more insight about your family and what you'd offer a dog or need as a companion.
If selected, are you able and willing to attend a meet and greet with the foster family and dog in Canterbury? (no exceptions sorry).*

Not applicable as I’m within CanterburytYes - I understand. I can travel if selected for the meet/greet.No - I didn't realise this (unfortunately, we cannot proceed or consider your application to adopt. Please consult a local organisation).
I have read and understood the terms of adoption with New Zealand Chihuahua Resuce and I agree to be bound by them (or any subsequent terms), Manual and policies issued by the Trust. I also acknowledge and confirm that all information provided within this application is truthful.*

Powered by Jotform SignClear
Should be Empty:

New Zealand Chihuahua Rescue Trust - Adoption Application 2025

Your Details:

Application Details:

Your Spouse or Partner Details (if relevant):

Working Schedules & Routine:

Property Details and Fencing:

Household and Family Member Details:

Details of current pets:

What kind of companion are you searching for?

Future Planning: