7 Best Chihuahua Rescues in Australia! (2023)

Who could believe that the dog born in the deserts of Mexico could make it all the way to the Southern Hemisphere to become a popular companion breed? The Chihuahua has done that and more, so we’ve come up with a list of reputable rescues in Australia to help save you time.

Chihuahuas have risen to the top 20 in the ranking of the most popular dog breeds in Australia. This breed’s bold and confident persona, coupled with their loyal and loving ways and small stature make them a popular choice for companion dogs.

Take a look at all of the great Chihuahuas available for adoption all over the country.

Before you scroll further down this list of Chihuahua rescues in Australia, check out: 4 Best Cocker Spaniel Rescues in Australia! (2023) and 4 Best Golden Retriever Rescues in Australia! (2023).

1. Dogs’ Refuge Home

While not specifically a Chihuahua rescue, Dogs’ Refuge Home is a wonderful not-for-profit all-breed rescue that does incredible work in Perth. Through their work in foster-based rescue, they have been rehoming puppies and adult dogs at the rate of 30 to 40 a week. They take in that many or more, so your Chihuahua might be there at any time.

This is a no-kill shelter and it keeps dogs on long-term with the goal to find the very best fit and perfect home to match up with the perfect dog. They are a well-organized and well-run facility with volunteer, support, and donation options as well as merchandise and corporate sponsorship opportunities.

There are informative articles and FAQs on the website and an invitation to come and volunteer or get a job working with the rescue dogs in their care.

Check out their social media, Facebook, and Instagram as well as the website for pictures and videos of all the available dogs, and you might just find your dream Chihuahua among the many puppies and dogs surrendered to Dogs’ Refuge Home in Western Australia.

Dogs’ Refuge Home Details:

• Location: Shenton Park, Perth, WA
• Email: enquiries@dogsrefugehome.org.au
• Website: Dogs’ Refuge Home

2. Tars

The Animal Rehoming Service, or TARS, has been finding homes for animals since 2000. They are a registered charity that uses a foster-based program to rehab homeless or surrendered animals. This group acts as a liaison to find the animal a permanent home whenever possible.

They fundraise for veterinary fees and ask adopters to cover the costs of small vet bills such as desexing dogs before adoption. They also offer ongoing support to adopters for the life of the animals.

Chihuahua rescues are evident in their gallery of adopted dogs, and the testimonials show that they are well cared for and rehabilitated before they are made available for adoption. There are also Chihuahuas available for adoption pictured on their Instagram.

This organization invites you to follow them on their social media pages, both Facebook and Instagram. To contact them, you can use the contact us tab on the website and fill out the contact form with your inquiry or expression of interest in a Chihuahua from TARS.

Tars Details:

• Location: Melbourne, Victoria
• Website: Tars

 3. One At A Time Pet Rescue

One At A Time Pet Rescue is located in Melbourne and is dedicated to rescuing, rehabbing, and rehoming dogs and cats. They advocate for desexing animals and no-kill solutions.

The website shows a plethora of felines and canines, even some bunnies, and includes some adorable Chihuahuas that have been rescued by One At A Time Pet Rescue. They invite you to contact them on the form on the site, and if you see the pet you wish to adopt, you can fill out an online application form to get the process started.

OAAT invites you to donate, sponsor, and volunteer your time to help rescue animals in need. This organization rescues hundreds of animals every year and needs all the financial support available. They are a not-for-profit charitable organization and donations go to the care of the animals in their charge.

One At A Time Pet Rescue Details:

• Location: Melbourne, Victoria
• Website: One At A Time Pet Rescue

4. Perth Chihuahua Rescue

Perth Chi Rescue is a foster-based Chihuahua rescue in Western Australia. They are breed-specific, so they only work with Chihuahuas and related mixes. One look at their Instagram page will have you hooked. Be advised, they only offer adoption in the Perth Metro area.

Perth Chi Rescue invites you to take a look at the available dogs on their Instagram and consider becoming a foster carer for the rescue. There is a great deal of information available regarding how to help with donations, support, volunteering, and adoptions. There are forms on the rescue website to contact them and apply to be a part of this great organization.

We think the best part is that there are so many cute Chihuahua dogs out there that you can choose to give a permanent home. It’s like being a kid in a candy store. There are so many worthy dogs to choose from. Fill out an adoption application so that you can have your pick of these darling Chihuahuas.

Perth Chihuahua Rescue Details:

• Location: Willetton, WA
• Website: Perth Chihuahua Rescue

5. Chihuahua Rescue QLD

Chihuahua Rescue Queensland, or CRQ, is not a shelter per se. What they are is a network of foster care homes and volunteers that rescue, rehab, and re-home Chihuahuas, crosses, and other small dogs in the Brisbane and Sunshine Coast areas of Queensland. They’ve been perfecting this model for nearly 10 years and spent tens of thousands of dollars on vet bills for these furry little canines.

CRQ welcomes donations, support, and volunteers to transport dogs, and does home checks for adopters and foster care homes. They need financial support for the massive vet bills incurred in rescuing the sheer number of dogs that need help. Take a look at the website and Instagram page for opportunities to help this great organization continue to rescue Chihuahuas in Queensland.

Your dream dog may very well be at a CRQ foster home right this minute. Check out the gallery and head to the adoption page link on the website to start the process to adopt one of these lively little dogs to make your life complete.

Chihuahua Rescue QLD Details:

• Location: Regents Park, Queensland
• Email: chihuahuarescueqld@gmail.com
• Website: Chihuahua Rescue Qld

6. Byron Dog Rescue

Byron Dog Rescue is dedicated to finding safe, loving homes for their rescue dogs. This is an all-breed rescue, not Chihuahua specific, but there is a good chance that they will have a dog waiting to be adopted at any given time.

Byron Dog Rescue helps with private surrenders as well as rescuing dogs from the pound, homelessness, and abusive situations. In addition to their facility, they have a network of foster carers that help rehab and stabilize rescue dogs until they are ready to go into loving homes.

They welcome you to look at their Instagram page and on the website for available dogs. You can donate, become a foster, fundraise, or adopt to help support this great rescue organization. You can download the foster application as well as information on fostering and adoption via the tab on the website. Byron Dog Rescue isn’t breed-specific but your Chihuahua could be there, so keep checking back.

Byron Dog Rescue Details:

• Location: Brunswick Heads, NSW
• Email: cawidogs2483@gmail.com
• Website: Byron Dog Rescue

7. Maggie’s Rescue

Maggie’s Rescue was inspired by a neglected dog of the same name. The founders of the rescue were spurred to action by the extreme case they found in Maggie. Their goal in creating Maggie’s Rescue is to work toward a world where there will be no dogs in need of rescue.

They are not a Chihuahua-specific rescue but take dogs and cats of all breeds from small to large and everything in-between. The website even features a Chihuahua.

The approach of Maggie’s Rescue is to save animals, get them into foster care homes to rehab, then find them suitable homes. Aditionally, they advocate for animals on the local and national level with desexing programs, vaccination, and other activism to enact programs to help animals. They also focus on educating the public so that animals need not suffer neglect due to ignorance on the part of their owners.

You can contact them via the form on the site, apply to adopt or foster, and volunteer or offer financial support to help the cause. Take a look at their website and Instagram to see if your Chihuahua dog is out there at Maggie’s Rescue waiting for you to adopt.

Maggie’s Rescue Details:

• Location: Marrickville, NSW
• Website: Maggie’s Rescue

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion for “7 Best Chihuahua Rescues in Australia”

With the popularity of dogs often comes overbreeding, and sadly, many of these adorable Chihuahuas end up in rescues and shelters looking for new and better homes. So, that’s where we come in. We’ve compiled a list of the best Chihuahua rescues in Australia just for you.

For more guides similar to this list of Chihuahua rescues in Australia, check out:

• Are Chihuahuas Mean Dogs? (2023)
• How Smart Are Chihuahuas? (2023)
• Is My Chihuahua Too Skinny? (2023)

Before you adopt a Chihuahua from a rescue in Australia, learn more by watching “Chihuahua Dogs and Puppies: Lifespan, Temperament & Facts | Petplan” down below: