Meet the special needs pups of Tiny Tails Chihuahua Rescue
Karis Zarafa quit her job to care for a chihuahua with kidney disease. Now she lives with numerous special needs pooches. WATCH THE VIDEO.
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A Lethbridge dog lover has made it her life’s work to rescue chihuahuas.
Karis Zarafa’s not-for-profit Tiny Tails rescues and rehomes the pint size pups, many of whom have special needs, from around Australia.
In 2011 Ms Zarafa quit her job to care for a 1.2kg special needs chihuahua, Chicho.
“He had a kidney disease, and fractures,” she said.
“We looked after him for over seven years.
During that time, Ms Zarafa started hosting chihuahua a doggie daycare.
After Chicho died five years ago Ms Zarafa launched Tiny Tails Chihuahua Rescue.
“Chicho planted a seed in my heart to start looking after dogs,” she said.
She looks after five special needs chihuahuas, including one that needs nappies.
Pepper, who has been in care more than three years, is incontinent.
“Being a mum myself I decide I’ll use baby nappies,” she said.
“I regularly change her, I have a nappy bag in the rescue van. “
Ms Zarafa said Tiny Tails helped all small dog breeds.
“I can give them one-on-one care,” she said.
“I get to know them really individually, how they interact with others.”
Ms Zarafa said the rescue ran thanks to the generosity of supporters, volunteers and donors, each year raising money through rescue dog calendars and fundraising events.
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Originally published as Meet the special needs pups of Tiny Tails Chihuahua Rescue
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