Originally Posted by livingdustmops

The shelter is required by law to follow certain guidelines but this is what I would do.

1. Call the shelter and find out who the local Yorkie rescue person is/phone
2. Call this person and tell them your interest in this dog - no matter what the costs
3. This dog could easily be a biter - they get so frightened in the shelter & the shelter may only release to a rescue if they have a good working relationship otherwise they may have to put the dog down no matter what.
4. The rescue person could convince them the dog is very ill and please do an early release to them
5. Check your laws - in Arizona it is only 3 days if the dog does not have ID tags or a micro-chip - 7 days if it does.
6. Rescue could easily have a great relationship and work behind the scene with the shelter to get the dog released to them - something that would be very hard for you to do.
7. If rescue can't help you then find out what day and time the dog will be available for adoption and show up 10 minutes early. Usually small dogs have a waiting list and you have to be there at a certain time so everyone who wants the dog puts their name in a hat and whomever name is drawn is who gets the dog - doesn't mean they could be a good care giver :( . If you win the drawing then immediately take it to a vet an get a full blood panel work up on the dog. It is better to know what battles you might have to face with this little one. You also do not want this dog around yours until you have the facts or diseases could be passed to your dog. I always have a 14 day separation period if the dog came from off the street. I just kept the new one in a separate bedroom. Please as much as you feel bad for this little one DO NOT put your dog and this dog together until your vet has seen this dog or you could be hurting your dog..Tough Love.


Good Luck and lets keep our fingers crossed for this little one.

Originally Posted by Kirby's Dad

I just adopted a Yorkie/Scottie mix (Kirby) from United Yorkie Rescue and I would be happy to put you in contact with the two people that I know there. UYR is a national network and I'm sure they can put you in contact with someone local to you.

They might even already be aware of the poor guy, they are on top of the game when it comes to rescuing yorkies.

Let me know if you would like the contact info and I'll send it to you in a PM. Or you can click the link in my signature and maybe find a local contact that way.

Good for you for being so dedicated to rescuing that little guy. And I wouldn't be too concerned about the original owners if I were you, it looks like that guy has been on his own for a while. Sounds like irresponsible owners to me anyway, I'm sure the dog would be much better off with you anyway.

Good luck and please keep us posted.

Originally Posted by Jaspermom

I am completely impressed with your focus on getting this yorkie taken care of properly! I am certain that you will end up with the pup, and I congratulate you on being so concerned and so kind.

I have to disagree with you as far as the dog possibly being a mix. I am not an expert, but she looks like pure yorkie to me! She's a little messy, that's all. With a good bath and a grooming, I am betting she will look gorgeous!

Good luck! I have a feeling a few hundred people will be following this thread daily!

I congratulate you on your yorkie passion! :p Welcome to Yorkie Talk!

Originally Posted by 3CrazyYorkies

I would like to suggest that you leave a letter of intent with animal control -- there is always staff changes and that's usually how mistakes happen -- if a letter is posted with them I think it may help to ensure that this yorkie is kept alive and that everyone at the shelter knows someone cares and is willing to give her a home.