California’s Chihuahua population has boomed in recent years and rescue groups like Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) in Walnut Creek reported that they were in crisis mode this week.

“ARF has 30 in the system and if you go to public shelters, 30 percent of their population can be Chihuahuas,” said Elena Bicker, ARF executive director. “So there is a real crisis in California and its causing a lot of shelters to ship them out of state.”

A donor who took this problem to heart decided to respond with his wallet, donating money so that Chihuahua owners could go to the ARF and have their Chihuahuas spayed or neutered for free.

Such operations can range from about $50 to a couple of hundred bucks.

So why isn't the phone ringing?

“We would be welcoming millions of people to come fill our spay-and-neuter appointments, but unfortunately, they are not being filled,” said Bicker.

The group said that it was trying to get the word out. With 20,000 animals euthanized annually in Contra Costa County alone, Bicker said that by providing the procedure for free, lives will be saved.

The program started out as for Contra Costa County only, but the group was welcoming anyone in the Bay Area to come and take advantage the deal.

To make an appointment, call the ARF at (925) 256-1273.

For more information, go to arf.net.