Approximately 80 Chihuahuas will arrive in Denver late today from California and be placed for adoption as part of an on-going effort to help overcrowded California shelters that have received an influx of the abandoned dogs.
The flights to Denver have been courtesy of Dr. Leslie Capin, a Denver-area dermatologist who agreed to pay for three dog flights from California.
Capin’s Chihuahua, Dr. Papidies, recently won a million-dollar “cutest dog” contest. Capin donated the proceeds from that contest, which come with annual payments, to the Dumb Friends League and MaxFund.
Chihuahuas became a fad dog in California as the result of several movies and the fact that Paris Hilton had one.
But hundreds of the dogs have been put down in California after many Californians – because of the economy and personal reasons – found they could no longer keep the animals.
Three planes will bring the Chihuahuas to Denver this afternoon.
Some of the Chihuahuas should be ready for adoption by the weekend at the Dumb Friends League’s Quebec Street Shelter in Denver and at the Buddy Center in Castle Rock.
More than 30 Chihuahuas arrived in Denver about 10 days ago on the first flight from California.
The Dumb Friends League says that Chihuahuas are not for everyone.
They may not be suitable for families with small children and can be high-strung. But because of their size, they fit comfortably in an apartment, can become quite attached to a single adult and don’t need as much food or exercise as some larger dogs.
People interest in adopting one of the Chihuahuas can go to the Dumb Friends League website, or call the office at 303-751-5772.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
