KJZZ is a service of Rio Salado College,
and Maricopa Community Colleges

Copyright © 2026 KJZZ/Rio Salado College/MCCCD
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Arizona Chihuahuas Take A Road Trip

Strays like this one will be transported to the East Coast. This dog was in the streets of Maryvale near 39th Avenue and McDowell Road.
(Photo by Steve Shadley-KJZZ)
Strays like this one will be transported to the East Coast. This dog was in the streets of Maryvale near 39th Avenue and McDowell Road.

Here is something that could test your nerves: Imagine driving across the country in a van full of barking Chihuahuas.

That is what will happen on Friday when more than 20 of the stray dogs will be transported from a Phoenix animal shelter to a small town in Pennsylvania where they will be put up for adoption. 

Melissa Gable is with Maricopa County Animal Control. She said some parts of the valley have reported too many stray Chihuahuas, but they are not always easy to find back East.

"In those colder climates people tend to have Labs and Golden Retrievers and hearty dogs, you know, and there’s just not that many little, itty bitty Chihuahua foo foo dogs she said.

Gable said Arizona Chihuahua Rescue and Paws to Heart have raised the money to transport the dogs. She said the all of the Chihuahuas have been spayed and neutered and will be outfitted with sweaters for the trip to the colder climate. 

Steve Shadley was a reporter at KJZZ from 1990 to 1996 and from 2012 to 2015.