Shih Tzu Sanctuary

Members of the Ivey Abitz Pack, some of the puppy mill and senior dog “discards”
they have given sanctuary to over the past 14 years


We give rehabilitation and sanctuary to Shih Tzu who find themselves at animal control facilities that euthanize due to lack of space. We help traumatized puppy mill discards and senior Shih Tzu mixes that many rescue groups neither have the interest nor fortitude to help.

This extraordinary breed, along with their hair-not-fur friends, is higher maintenance than many others. They require additional care and attention that many first time adopters aren’t familiar with, mostly due to a lack of education from the puppy mills who breed and sell them to the public. Our mission is to better educate how to care for them and give them the respect they deserve.

A Recent Shih Tzu Recovery and Rehabilitation Story

#210 at animal control was unable to be fully examined by the animal control veterinarian because he bit everyone out of fear. Cynthia pulled him from animal control and took him into her care, knowing he could not be immediately placed into an adoptive home.
He needed time to learn how to trust humans again.
#210, now named Mr. George Emerson, trusts Cynthia now to get a proper haircut from her. Matted from head to toe, it took 3 hours and lots of encouragement to finish.
The first layer of mats are gone. A new beginning for Mr. George Emerson!
Now, Mr. George Emerson welcomes and leans into a kiss from his new person. He borrows a collar from his new brother Gilbert until his custom one arrives.
After Mr. Emerson was taught basics like sit, stay, and stop,
he was ready to go for a walk with the pack!
He’s still recuperating and sensitive to the cold, so a dog coat is a must.

At first, Mr. Emerson was terrified of a harness and bit at it. Now, he wags his tail when he sees it.
He is learning how to walk on a leash and LOVES it!
Mr. Emerson did not know what a chewy was until he arrived.
Now, they are an afternoon delight.
He enjoys chewing on one in his new favorite spot in the library.
During the first month of his stay with us, he went from timid and scared of everything around him to a gentle and confident lad.
It takes some dogs longer than others to learn how to trust humans
–perhaps for the first time in their lives.
One of the best things in the world
is to have a rescued dog from animal control trust us.
Here is Mr. Emerson asleep in my arms. This was the day he decided he felt comfortable enough to turn and lay on his back, a real sign of trust and a show of love.
It’s an honor to give him the second chance that he deserves.