About Me:

• Name: Gia Fern
• Breed (or best guess): Shih Tzu
• Approximate Age: 3 yrs
• Gender: Female
• Approximate Weight: 13 lb
• Adoption Fee: $495
• Requirements: Another small dog, secure potty area or fence
• Why In Rescue: puppy mill survivor

Profile:  

Gia came from a commercial breeder/puppy farmer who was no longer going to use her for breeding.  She is a nice girl who is able to be handled, but doesn't really understand human love.  She is new to rescue so we haven't work on leash training yet.  She will need patience and understanding as she learns about love and living in a house.  If interested in her, please fill out the pre-adoption application at www.bichonrescues.com.  She does need another small dog in the home, and either a secure potty area outside or a securely fenced yard.

Dogs from commercial breeders are generally undersocialized (often very scared/shy/skittish) and probably never lived in a house.  They will need to learn things like how to walk on a leash, go up stairs, and what things like a television are.  They need a patient adopter who will give them the time they need to adjust and to learn to trust people.  Every baby step forward needs to be celebrated, and the dog needs to be accepted for who they are at each step.  Some dogs can adjust quickly and learn how to be a loved pet pretty easily.  Others can take a long time to even be comfortable with things like walking through the house and being in the same room as a person.  No matter how far and how fast the breeder dogs progress, they are wonderful dogs and deserve a great home after their life on the puppy farm.  A fence or at least a secure fenced in potty area is highly recommended for the dog's safety, and may be required for some dogs.  Another small dog in the house can also help many former breeders adjust faster to life in a home, and also may be required in some cases.  We do put the needs of the dog's first, so it is nothing personal if we determine a particular dog isn't suitable for your specific home and living situation.

If considering adopting a former breeding dog, the following article is good to read to help you understand the special needs these dogs may have.  http://nowisconsinpuppymills.com/mill-survivors.html

If interested in adoption, the first step is filling out the pre-adoption application at http://www.bichonrescues.com/pre-adoption-form-dog  If link isn't clickable, please copy/paste or visit http://www.bichonrescues.com.  Please note, filling out inquiry forms on Petfinder or Adoptapet and/or their application forms does not constitute an application for one of our dogs.  Priority in responding to inquires and applications is always to the applications filled out on our website, time constraints limit the number of other inquires we can reply to.

We do our best to evaluate the dogs while they are with us, but they sometimes act different in the shelter environment than they do in a home.  Many times we do not know the actual breed/mix or age of the dog, in that case we use our best guess as to breed and age.  

We are located in Mukwonago, WI.  Adopters must come to us, we do not ship our dogs.  Please do not apply for a dog until you are ready to adopt.  Once an application is approved you will be notified by email to make an appointment to meet the dog.  All dogs are seen by appointment only.

The adoption fee through Bichon and Little Buddies Rescue is $495 for most adults and up to $650 for puppies which includes Wi State Sales Tax.  Included in this fee is your new companion who will be spayed/neutered, have a current Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (as required by state law), current on age appropriate vaccinations, heartworm tested (if old enough) and started on preventative, microchipped, and given a general wormer.  Other medical needs will also have been taken care of, such as dentals and treating ear infections. 

To assist you and your new pet in adjusting to life together, you may chose to take an 8 week age appropriate obedience training course at For Pet's Sake Dog Training in Mukwonago, WI for $75 (up to $230 value).  You may opt to take Puppy Kindergarten, Adult Beginners, or Small Dogs Big Hearts.  You must register for the class within 90 days of adoption for the reduced fee.  For more information on the classes visit www.forpetssake.cc

More important information:

***We are a Wisconsin based rescue and do not ship our pets.  If you are considering adoption you must be willing to drive to meet and adopt the pet, as well as bring the pet back to us if the adoption doesn't work.  We adopt primarily in WI and IL, but will consider applicants in MN, IA, and MI.***

***Please do not set up an appointment to meet the animals until you are ready to take your pet home.  If the meeting results in a match, you can often take the dog/cat home the same day or within a couple days if the medical care hasn't been completed.  We are not able to hold pets for adopters beyond this time.  Thanks for understanding.***

***While we hope all of our adoptions lead to permanent homes for the animals we place, sometimes things just don't work out.  We do have a 30 day trial period.  For the first 30 days, if you or Bichon and Little Buddies decide that the adoption isn't a good match for either the humans or the pet, the adoption fee will be refunded minus $75 within 30 days of the return of the dog.  Bichon and Little Buddies also requires adopters to return the pet to us at any time that they are unable or unwilling to care for the animal anymore.***

***We do not show dogs without an appointment.  The first step in adoption is filling out the pre-adoption application at http://www.bichonrescues.com/pre-adoption-form-dog  Please do not call/email until AFTER you have filled out an application.***

Bichon and Little Buddies is a State Licensed Rescue # 268555-DS