Cross Breeds

Where can i find free or low cost chihuahua puppies in tampa florida?

I really, really, really want a chihuahua really bad, but I can not afford all these thousand something dollar puppies, even the ones that are a couple hundred. unless I could make payments on one. Does anyone know where i can find that? any small breed will do that I can spoil.

Public Comments

1. Look up your local chihauhua rescue organization. There are so many that need good homes.
2. Either a local chihuahua rescue organization or the local SPCA. Not only would you get a chihuahua for less than $200, but you can also save its life.
3. If you don't have hundreds/thousands of dollars to spend, don't get a dog. Please! They get sick, they need vaccinations, they need high quality food! Emergencies can cost thousands of dollars! Dogs are not cheap, and they are not something to be purchased lightly.
4. If you can't afford a couple of hundred dollars without making payments, how can you afford to properly vet this puppy? That said, like the other poster said, look in to rescue. Even those won't be free, but you could possibly find a dog that would work in your situation. It probably won't be a puppy....it seems in a lot of rescues everyone wants puppies, and there's frequently even a waiting list....but perhaps a nice senior dog.....that just needs a little love and understanding... that just might wind up available. Seems that they're harder to place, so they might be more willing to work within your limitations.
5. I would check out some chihuahua rescue groups in your state also try the shelters some times they get in full breed chihuahuas
6. The less you pay the lower the quality of the dog. The cheaper the dog the sicker it will be. You will spend more money at the Vets. There are so many things that are wrong with cheap dogs it is pathetic. Why don't you check with a breed rescue & adopt from there. Each breed has a rescue group working to save that specific breed or crosses of that breed. You may find exactly what you want.
7. As a breeder of AKC chihuahuas (and these are show dogs not puppy mill pups), I can tell you it is rare to find a free chihuahua. I have placed only two rescues for free but I can tell you it will be hard if the owner really and truly cares about their dog. Be prepared for home screening; I have run into too many uncaring people that want a free chihuahua but upon finding it is fixed, will turn it down becuase they want to make money off of it. One particular female I placed after choosing a family from several applicants. Turns out they own a flea market and sold her to someone who in turn brought the dog back to me because her microchip revealed where she came from. Even I don't get it right, and I wouldn't expect a shelter to be any more lenient and they will not negotiate the price because they know someone out there will take that tiny dog no matter what the price is. Keep in mind that the money put into a shelter dog is nowhere near the price they will charge. NEVER buy one from a pet store or someone who raises them in outdoor kennels. Those dogs are not socialized and chances are they are inbred. If you do get a puppy, keep in mind that if it is cheap it will not be small. Don't let the breeder fool you and tell you that the dog will be two lbs fully grown when it is 8 weeks old and weighing a pound. Make sure it has full vet documentation; shots given at home do not count as a health certificate. If it is cheap, it may not be healthy and they didn't do a vet check. Why waste money on a dog that may not be healthy? You should also do your research into what breed you want. It doesn't seem like you are really focused on a breed. I wanted a longhaired breed; after much research and after already having raised smoothcoat puppies, I decided to show my first longcoat male two years ago. From experience, I can also tell you that the small ones can be a lot of work. I have one I have kept that is 8 months old and documented by the vet to only weigh a pound as of Friday. I have nearly lost her three times; first when her mother didn't produce enough milk, second when she started teething and stopped eating, and just recently when developed pancreatis. Smaller is not always better; in fact they have more chances of having low blood sugar and numerous health problems. Yes, I can take her everywhere with me-which now I have to in order to make sure she eats and drinks properly-but healthy is way better. I know you are young and will do whatever you want despite everything we have all said, but the decision is ultimately yours and YOU are responsible for the life of that puppy no matter what. There is a reason why these dogs cost so much-quality matters. I would stick with the rescues or petfinder.org.