Inmates Resocialize Chihuahuas

Written by Bay City News

There's a spike in puppy love in San Mateo County. Four dogs are set to graduate from a program set up by the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office and Peninsula Humane Society on Friday to help transition them into loving homes, sheriff's Deputy Rebecca Rosenblatt said.

Chihuahuas Chespita, Clifford and Violet, as well as Jack Russell Terrier Flash, will be honored for the completion of the TAILS - Transitioning Animals into Loving Homes - program, Rosenblatt said. It is the 15th graduation in the TAILS program, she said. Prior to entering the program, the canines lived in poor conditions, and were then put up for adoption, she said. The TAILS program allows dogs to transition into a better lifestyle with the help of inmates, who train, groom, exercise and socialize them, according to Rosenblatt.

Each week, humane society volunteers check on the dogs' progress in an hour-long class, but the majority of time is spent with the inmates, Rosenblatt said. Members of the humane society ultimately determine when the dogs are ready to graduate, which then will transition into a new class of three to five dogs, Rosenblatt said. "Just like people, dogs can get themselves in a bad situation," Rosenblatt said of dogs like the TAILS graduating class.

"We've given them the tools to be great pets, and now we just need a family to come out and say they want a dog to be part of their family." Chepita, 2, is described as a quick learner, with a hunger for praise; Clifford, 2, adores being held and given attention; Violet, 2, is shy at first, but is the life of the party once she gets to know you; and Flash, 3, is really into water and snacks.

All four dogs will remain with the inmates in the jail until they are adopted into a family, Rosenblatt said. The graduation is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. at the Hall of Justice, at 400 County Center, in Redwood City.