Man, figuring out where to adopt one of those fluffy long-haired Shih Tzus felt way harder than I expected at first. I really wanted that specific kind, not just any Shih Tzu, y’know? That super soft, long coat is just something else. So, I dove in headfirst.
The Starting Point: Where Do You Even Look?
My first thought? Google it, obviously. Typed in “long haired Shih Tzu adoption near me” and wow… the results were a mess. Seriously overwhelming.
- Saw tons of sites for breeders pushing $2000 puppies. Nope, not what I wanted. Adoption was the goal.
- Clicked on links that said “rescue” but ended up being just lists of breeders again. Total waste of time.
- Found a few national pet adoption sites. Searched specifically for “Shih Tzu” and filtered by “long hair.” Mostly older dogs or mixes coming up, or listings super far away.
Felt kinda stuck. Needed a better plan.
Getting Real: Hitting Up Local Spots
Decided online wasn’t cutting it. Time for some legwork.
- Called my local animal shelter first. Asked directly, “Got any long-haired Shih Tzus?” The lady sighed, “Honey, we barely get any purebred small dogs, long hair or not. They get snatched up or go to rescues.” Well, that was discouraging.
- Started phoning dedicated rescue groups. Searched “Shih Tzu rescue” plus my state name. Found two organizations within driving distance. Called Rescue #1: “Do you ever get long-haired ones?” The volunteer explained, “Sometimes! But honestly, they often come in as mixes, and that super long coat? Breeders usually keep those. Our Shih Tzus mostly have more moderate coats.” She was super nice but realistic.
- Tried Rescue #2. Same deal. Lady there said, “We occasionally get a fluffy one surrendered or from a breeder release, but it’s rare. They get adopted FAST. Best bet is get pre-approved and check our site daily.” She emphasized daily.
Okay, so purebred long-haired in rescue is tough but possible. Needed patience.
The Process: Jumping Through Hoops
Got serious. Did the things they all require:
- Filled out LONG adoption applications. Like, pages about my life, vet history, home setup. Felt like applying for a mortgage.
- Had a phone interview where they grilled me on why I wanted this specific coat type (to make sure I wasn’t gonna show the dog or neglect grooming – fair enough).
- Had to agree to a home visit. Honestly felt nervous, like someone was judging my living room! But the rep was cool, just checking for safety.
- Got “pre-approved.” Didn’t guarantee a dog, just meant I could adopt from them if the right dog came along.
And then… I waited. Checked Rescue #1 and Rescue #2 websites every single morning. Searched Petfinder constantly, filtering for Shih Tzu within 100 miles.
The Payoff: Patience is Key (and Luck!)
Weeks went by. Saw a few Shih Tzus, but not the long-haired type. Then, finally: An alert popped up on Rescue #2’s page.
“Lulu – 5 year old Female Shih Tzu.” Scrolled down… description said: “Lulu is a sweet girl with a beautiful, flowing long coat!” Photo confirmed it – gorgeous, silky long hair! She was surrendered because her owner moved and couldn’t take pets.
My heart literally skipped. Hit the “I’m interested” button FAST, like online shopping at 3 AM. Followed up with an immediate call.
“Yeah, Lulu just got listed about an hour ago,” the coordinator said. “You’re the first pre-approved applicant to ask about her.” We set up a meet-and-greet the NEXT day. She was perfect. Shy at first, but that long coat was incredible – and yes, needed serious brushing already!
Signed the papers right there. Brought her home. Man, finding her was a journey. Adoption websites need constant checking, rescues need contacting early, you gotta get through their processes BEFORE the perfect dog shows up, and then you need some luck. But it was totally, completely worth it for this little fluffball sleeping on my lap right now.
