New York Shih Tzu Rescue Society. A nonprofit animal welfare organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming Shih Tzu dogs and Shih Tzu mixes throughout New York State and surrounding regions.
Founded at the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020 to address the specific needs of this popular toy breed, the organization operates through a network of foster homes and volunteers who provide temporary care for dogs removed from puppy mills, surrendered by owners, or rescued from shelters where they face euthanasia. Many owners, particularly the elderly, passed during the Pandemic and the Society was able to assist in homing or re-homing their beloved pets.
The New York Shih Tzu Rescue Society emphasizes breed-specific knowledge in its rescue operations, recognizing that Shih Tzu require particular grooming, health care, and socialization approaches that differ from other breeds.
Mission and Operations
The organization’s primary mission centers on providing comprehensive care for abandoned, neglected, or surrendered Shih Tzu while working to place them in permanent adoptive homes. New York Shih Tzu Rescue Society volunteers conduct thorough veterinary examinations for all incoming dogs, including spaying or neutering, vaccinations, dental work, and treatment for any existing medical conditions before adoption.
The group maintains strict adoption standards, requiring home visits, reference checks, and detailed applications to ensure potential adopters can meet the breed’s specific needs. Foster families receive support from experienced volunteers who offer guidance on behavioral training, grooming techniques, and health management particular to the Shih Tzu breed.
The rescue operates primarily through online platforms and social media, maintaining an active presence that showcases available dogs, shares success stories, and educates the public about responsible pet ownership.
Unlike traditional animal shelters, the New York Shih Tzu Rescue Society does not maintain a physical facility, instead relying on a distributed foster care system that allows dogs to recover and socialize in home environments. This approach enables the organization to assess each dog’s temperament, behavior with children and other pets, and specific needs more accurately than shelter-based evaluations typically allow.
Breed-Specific Challenges
Shih Tzu present particular rescue challenges that justify breed-specific organizations like the New York Shih Tzu Rescue Society. The breed’s popularity has made them targets for puppy mills and irresponsible breeding operations, resulting in dogs with genetic health problems, poor socialization, and behavioral issues. Their long, flowing coats require regular professional grooming, an expense that causes some owners to surrender their dogs when financial circumstances change.
Additionally, Shih Tzu are brachycephalic dogs with shortened facial structures that can lead to respiratory problems, eye conditions, and dental crowding requiring specialized veterinary care. Ear infections are also possible. The New York Shih Tzu Rescue Society addresses these breed-specific issues through education programs that inform potential adopters about the lifelong commitments required for proper Shih Tzu care.
Volunteer Structure and Funding
The organization functions entirely through volunteer labor, with no paid staff positions. Volunteers fill roles including foster care providers, adoption coordinators, transport drivers, fundraising organizers, and social media managers. The New York Shih Tzu Rescue Society depends on private donations, adoption fees, fundraising events, and occasional grants to cover veterinary expenses, transportation costs, and operational overhead.
Annual fundraising events typically include adoption fairs, online auctions, and awareness campaigns that simultaneously promote available dogs and generate financial support. The rescue also maintains relationships with veterinary clinics that offer discounted services for rescue animals, helping to stretch limited resources across more dogs in need. This includes the New York Humane Society and the A.S.P.C.A. of New York. The organization also cooperates closely with All Saints Rescue.
The rescue group is located on Roosevelt Island between Manhattan and Queens, and was founded by Jim and Bix Luce. The fiscal sponsor for the New York Shih Tzu Rescue Society is the J. Luce Foundation. More than 100 small dogs have been placed since inception.
Impact and Community Education
Beyond direct rescue operations, the New York Shih Tzu Rescue Society contributes to broader animal welfare education in the New York community. The organization provides resources about recognizing puppy mill operations, understanding the importance of spaying and neutering, and making informed decisions when acquiring dogs.
Educational outreach includes school presentations, participation in community events, and maintaining comprehensive online resources about Shih Tzu care. Through these efforts, the New York Shih Tzu Rescue Society works toward reducing future surrender rates by ensuring current and prospective owners understand the responsibilities inherent in caring for this demanding breed.