Rescue shelters are one way for you to adopt a dog in need. Most rescue shelters rely on other Shih Tzu lovers to adopt the dogs they have available and give them a good home. Finding a good Shih Tzu rescue takes a little research and some one on one investigation.

There are numerous resources to aid in finding a Shih Tzu rescue. The internet is a great place to begin your research. You can easily search for Shit Tzu rescues in your area with the click of a mouse. Most states have at least one, if not many, rescues. Please remember, if you want a puppy, rescues might not always have puppies available to keep checking back with them from time to time.

The dogs that a Shih Tzu rescue has available are there for numerous reasons. Some of these reasons include: the owner didn’t have the time or money to care for them properly, the dog was neglected or abused, the dog was rescued from a puppy mill, the dog was found abandoned, or the dog could have been rescued from a high-kill shelter. When a dog is brought to the rescue, they receive proper care and attention. The dogs have been fed, given medical attention, groomed, bathed, checked for behavioral problems and have been loved unconditional. Dogs in a rescue receive tons of love from their foster parents.

The goal of a Shih Tzu rescue is to match their dogs up with loving homes. In order to do so, the rescue usually has a lot of paperwork and documentation that they require you to fill out. While some might view the paperwork as annoying, the rescue is only ensuring their dogs go to adequate homes. They will want to make sure you have the time and means to take care of a dog before adoption. They also will want to make sure that other animals in your home are healthy and well taken care of. Most rescues require an adoption fee, which can range from 75 to 500 dollars. This price might seem steep, but it is only going towards the care and maintenance of other needy Shih Tzus.

In order to guarantee the rescue you are adopting from is reputable, ask for references. Most rescues are more than willing to provide references on their behalf. The rescue center itself should appear to be clean, tidy and well organized. The Shih Tzu rescue you choose should answer any phone calls or e-mails you send promptly. When going to visit your potential dog, the rescue workers should be welcoming, friendly and knowledgeable about the dog you want to adopt and the breed in general.  It is a good idea to choose a rescue that requires home checks since this ensures they take the time to double check all applicants and make sure the dogs are going to good homes. If the rescue you choose does not meet any of the criteria listed above, you might want to look elsewhere.

There are numerous places to find a Shih Tzu rescue and lots of things to check for, but finding the right rescue and dog is definitely worth the search.