LOS ANGELES - California has more Chihuahuas than it can handle, and experts say Hollywood is to blame.
Chihuahuas make up 30 percent - or more - of the dog populations at many California animal shelters. There's suspicion that fans took to the tiny breed to imitate Chihuahua-toting celebrities like Paris Hilton and Miley Cyrus. People then apparently change their minds.
In Oakland, a shelter official says they can get 10 of the 5-pound dogs each day.
There are so many Chihuahuas at Oakland animal shelters, workers have started shipping them out of state. Meanwhile, shelters all over California built for big dogs have to remodel to accommodate these little guys.
They have sent about 100 to Washington, Oregon and Arizona," said Megan Webb, director of Oakland Animal Services, "and as soon as they get them, they are ready for new ones."
A New York ASPCA official says the problem appears to be specific to California. Shelters elsewhere would love to offer more of the smaller breed.
"We never have enough supply for the huge consumer demand for small dogs," said Gail Buchwald, senior vice president overseeing the ASPCA adoption center in New York City.
One of Webb's biggest problems is a lack of money to fly the dogs to other states. Buchwald said she would be happy to help.
"Nothing is outside the realm of possibility here. We have a supply-demand issue," she said.
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