Animal Shelters Overrun With Chihuahuas And Teacup Breeds

Rarely leaving home without a tiny pup tucked into their purses, Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian and Nicole Ritchie helped spearhead the chihuahua and teacup breed trend. But now, a much grimmer reality has taken shape among these pint-size dogs--animal shelters across the country are overrun with them, MyFoxPhilly.com reports.

Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society, attributes the increase in homeless "handbag pups" to what he calls, "faddism," he told the network. A-list celebrities tout these breeds around the streets of L.A. A surplus of movie characters constantly keep these pooches by their sides.

These glamorous dog owners, according to Pacelle, have inspired people to run out to get their very own little pup, only to realize, soon after, that they weren't quite ready for the commitment.

"People just need to be thoughtful about getting an animal," Pacelle said. "It's not a table or a lamp or a chair."

WATCH:

"Handbag Pups" Overwhelm Animal Shelters: MyFoxPHILLY.com

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Comments

[seriouslywhy]

11:17 AM on 10/02/2011

I feed my chihuahua gun powder and he eats pitbulls....For REAL Yo!

[bcmom]

11:51 PM on 09/30/2011

Yes!!! Shelters and animal control facilities are drowning in these dogs and they are being euthanized. Enough is enough! When is this crap going to stop? How about these people watch these dogs being killed.

[sunnybunny]

04:05 PM on 09/30/2011

Maybe they might have some influence on making small breeds more popular? This might be the reason that the little lap dogs are the first ones at the shelter to get adopted.

[Stephen Thorpe]

02:52 AM on 09/30/2011

Handbag dogs taste great fried, with hot sauce!

[Annette Hammond]

07:08 PM on 09/29/2011

I have a chihuahua that was rescued.The lady had her for 5 years and never got her shots and kept her outside in a pen.MistyRose was 4 lbs under the weight she should have been.She is a wonderful dog,had her for one year now.I rescued a Lab/Beagle mix also who is a chickenchit,lol.Misty will let me know if someone is walking up to the door even before they knock.But she will also bark if she hears a doorbell ring on tv,lol.Very laid back too.They are really living a good life now.I'm all for rescueing from shelters.They are so greatful

[CivilDebate10]

03:10 PM on 09/29/2011

Hmm, would be good to know which shelters are over run with small dogs. They can't be found in the shelters around here - they are the first to go out of the shelters.

[turnkey44]

02:38 PM on 09/29/2011

Stupid people, this happens after Easter with the rabbits.

[trailerguy]

10:21 AM on 09/29/2011

paris, nicole and I guess soon to be kim K. are all headed for clebrity has been island. Maybe if these celebs could do a public service announces about how to care for dogs and that it is a responilblity not to be taken lightly. On the plus side these dogs are small and don;t take much space or food

[Heather XW]

09:08 AM on 09/29/2011

I rescued and adopted a chihuahua, they're great watchdogs. I haven't regretted it.

[Watching rock grow]

05:13 PM on 09/29/2011

They are great watchdogs, great dogs all-around.

[glockman]

07:56 AM on 09/29/2011

"Are Celebs To Blame For Increase In Abandoned 'Handbag Dogs'?"

No. The stupid people who worship and wish to emulate them are.

[Donns]

07:18 AM on 09/29/2011

These little animals are a lot like children, people should be tested and certified competant before they are allowed to have one. Way too many people are just not capable of taking care of another lifeform.

[glockman]

07:57 AM on 09/29/2011

When did we begin testing people before "allowing" them to have children?

[Annette Hammond]

07:09 PM on 09/29/2011

It's too bad we don't.

[INKl1ng]

07:11 AM on 09/29/2011

People just don't realize that these tiny things that look like stuffed animals are barely different from you and me. I had an employee bring his months-old chihuahua (who had lived with him for all of one day) to work, thinking he could leave him tied up on the patio of our cafe! Apparently he didn't want the barking dog to disturb his neighbors, so instead it disturbed anyone within a block of the store.
He was promptly sent home for the day, but I'm still very concerned about that poor puppy. What kind of life is in store for him?

[KIVPossum]

07:10 AM on 09/29/2011

It is not the celebs fault people are unable to honor their committment to a pet. If you adopt an animal you are responsible for it for life - period

[UDKM2010]

07:39 AM on 09/29/2011

I agree, they aren't a hobby or fashion accessory.

[Edward Standley]

05:55 AM on 09/29/2011

I like "other people's dogs". :)

[European1919]

05:04 AM on 09/29/2011

Ever since that mental midget Harris Pilton hit the headlines, Chihuahuas are a dozen a handbag.