Kiwi

Kiwi is an adoptable female Chihuahua looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - West in Phoenix, Arizona. She is a young adult and small in size. She is currently on the shelter's euthanasia list with only 7 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Kiwi, or even sharing her story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 9/1/2026 09/01/26 11:49 Canine has shown behavior escalation in response to environmental triggers while in care. Placement with a New Hope Partner is needed by close of business 9/8/26 to allow for further evaluation and behavioral support. May be at risk for euthanasia 9/9/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 8/22/2026 How long have you had the animal ? 3 DAYS. SOURCE WAS DRIVING AND SAW PET WANDERING. SOURCE EXITED VEHICLE, PET INITIALLY RAN AND WAS SKITTISH, BUT SOURCE LURED PET WITH FOOD. What are the cross streets where you found the animal? 19TH AVE AND NORTHERN AVE Is this animal currently showing any signs of illness, taking any medication, or has the animal been diagnosed with a medical or behavioral condition? NO. Is animal spayed/neutered? UNK. Has the animal shown any signs of aggression toward people or animals? NO. Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? NO. Was this animal around any children? PET WAS AROUND A CHILD AGED 2 AND AGED 14. Did the animal interact with other animals? Cats? NO. Dogs? SOURCE HAS 1 LARGE DOG. THIS PET HUNCHED DOWN TO GROUND AND WHIMPERED WHEN THEY SAW SOURCE'S LARGE DOG. EVENTUALLY THE PETS DID SNIFF EACH OTHER AND HAVE SOME ENGAGEMENT. AFTER 2 DAYS, THEY WERE MORE COMFORTABLE AROUND EACH OTHER BUT THIS PET REMAINED A LITTLE SKITTISH OF LARGE DOG IN HOME. Livestock (horses, cows, goats, chickens, etc.)? NO. Other Animals (birds, small mammals, reptiles, etc.)? NO. Resource Guarding: Describe any known guarding of food, toys, people, or space? NO. Can the animal walk on a leash? WHEN SOURCE TRIED TO PLACE LEASH, PET THRASHED. PET WAS BEING HELD BY SOURCE IN LOBBY. Does the animal know any commands? NO. If inside, did you keep the animal in a crate or allowed to roam free? FREE ROAM. If outside, what kind of fencing do you have, and did it contain the animal? TALL FENCING CONTAINED PET. How would you describe the animal’s energy level? MEDIUM Any escapist behavior? NO. Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? NO. Any Additional details/notes on behavior? PET WAS INITIALLY SKITTISH BUT DID ALLOW ALL HANDLING/PETTING. AFTER SOME TIME WITH SOURCE, PET WAS MORE FRIENDLY WITH ADULTS AND CHILDREN IN HOME. PLAYFUL WITH THE CHILDREN IN HOME. Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 8/31/2026 Handler had bite gloves/sleeves, blanket, and bucket prepped, dog was walking from one side of shoreline to the other, whale eye towards handler, low head, would come up and sniff towards handler, handler tossed treats and dog ate some, opened kennel and closed guillotine dog stayed in corner laying in bed, wide eyed, shivering and watching handler, handler tossed hot dogs and dog would eat, presented leash loop and dog would get up and begin to avoid and walk along back wall, handler gently tossed out leash to touch dog with, dog would flinch and tense, tossed treats in between, handler began to toss leash loop to secure over head, dog began pacing again, would walk towards handler at egde of shoreline and look out, handler closed door, dog backed up, reopened and attempted leashing again, handler was able to place leash over dogs head and secure, once secured, dog began flailing back, high pitched vocalizing, dog settled and handler grabbed bucket and placed it in shoreline, tipped it to place opening over dog in corner, dog began thrashing, vocalizing, flailing, jumped out from corner of bucket towards handler and attempted to jump out of kennel, handler grabbed dog and held onto dog, dog began urinating and defecating, strong flailing and thrashing, loud vocalizing, handler held onto dog while trying to hold away from handlers body, dog scratched handlers both arms with nails, dog finally settled and handler placed dog back into kennel and closed door, was able to grabbed disposable slip leash through door. 8/26/2026 Dog was lying in back corner, eyes wide, pupils dilated, wouldn't approach with verbal coaxing, sat up and alarm barked when handler tossed treats, retreated to opposite side, closed divider. Dog sat in corner, stiff body, growling, handler presented leash, dog bared teeth and attempted to retreat further back, whipped head and bit leash while trying to place. Handler positioned behavior tote in front of dog instead, dog began thrashing, high-pitched vocalizing, used lid to guide into tote, as handler was tipping tote upright dog pushed through lid, thrashed, bared teeth, more vocalizing, wouldn't settle. Due to high FAS handler ended interaction, removed tote and tossed treats in kennel. 8/25/2026 Dog was sitting in corner of kennel while trembling body with head lowered on approach to kennel. Offered treats, would start to curl lips while growling. Opened kennel door while speaking softly, offering more treats, would not soften body or stop growling. Handler would cast large loop leash towards dog, dog would bite towards leash, not making contact while being whale eyed & curling lips. Handler would wait for a few moments then would cast leash again. Dog would continue to growl while biting towards leash, would start to dilate pupils the quickly retreated to opposite side of kennel through divider while urinating & defecating. Handler would end attempt to remove from kennel due to FAS. 8/22/2026 On approach, sat with tense body, avoiding eye contact. As fienders were petting, saying goodbye, dog whipped around snapping towards hands. Able to lift in towel wrap. In triage, remained tense, avoiding eye conact. Screamed and thrashed with leash pressure. Lifted and restrained inn towel wrap. Carried to kennel in towel wrap Name: Kiwi Animal ID: A5170403 Breed: WHITE/TAN CHIHUAHUA SH Sex: Female Age: 2Y 1M Weight: 8.9 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing K - 411 Intake Date: 8/22/2026 Deadline Date: 9/8/2026