Two Surrenders in Five Years Leave Chihuahua Barely Recognizable
A tiny dog is hoping the third home will be the one that finally sticks after being surrendered to a Los Angeles animal shelter.
Little, a 5-year-old Chihuahua, arrived at the Lancaster Animal Care Center, part of the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC), weighing only 7 pounds. Staff at the Lancaster location shared Little’s story, saying that her previous owner surrendered her because they no longer had time to care for her needs.
But that wasn’t the first time she’s been passed off. The family prior was also unable to care for Little. Now, back at the animal shelter, Little looks unrecognizable, with her condition raising immediate concerns among staff.
Footage shared by the shelter shows Little trembling in a staff member’s arms as her fearful eyes look at the camera. She arrived underweight, with her ribs and spine visibly protruding. Her limbs are stiff. She also has a patchy coat due to her significant hair loss, which the DACC staff hopes her future adopter will “help her through whatever medical needs she has.”
Despite her physical condition and going through two surrenders, staff noted that Little has remained gentle and cooperative. All she wants is a “soft place to land” with a patient adopter who will be supportive while she receives the medical attention she needs.
The DACC website states that Little arrived at the shelter on June 8. An undisclosed rescue organization stepped in to take Little into their care two days later. Now in the care of a rescue, Little has another chance at finding the permanent home shelter staff hope will finally be her last.
Newsweek reached out to the DACC via email for additional information and comment.
Why Dogs Are Being Surrendered
Owner surrenders remain one of the most common reasons pets enter shelters across the United States.
Newsweek previously reported that the Shelter Animals Count’s 2025 Annual Data Report found owner relinquishment accounted for 30 percent of community shelter intakes nationwide, up from 29 percent the year before. About 10,000 more dogs were surrendered in 2025 than in 2024.
Owners often make the difficult decision to give up their pets because of circumstances beyond their control. Financial strain, limited access to veterinary care, housing restrictions and major life changes can all contribute to families feeling unable to continue caring for their animals.
The increase comes as shelters across the country continue to face capacity challenges. Shelter Animals Count reported that dog intakes outpaced positive outcomes such as adoptions and returns to owners in 2025, leaving many facilities struggling to create space for incoming animals.
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This story was originally published June 18, 2026 at 4:00 AM.