Why won't they let me adopt a doggie?

Question

I really don't understand why I keep getting turned down for these doggie rescue adoptions. I answer honestly and have had lots of experience taking care of and training dogs. I don't have a certificate in it, but I've been told that I've raised very obedient dogs.

Yet, I've been turned down so many times, it's frustrating. Almost to the point that I want to go buy from a store or breeder just so I can finally have a canine companion.

I'm looking for a weimaraner.

I'm NOT going to buy from a store. I'm just saying... grr!

Oh yea, and when I do get turned down and I ask reasons why. They never disclose it.

I'm a home owner with a large fenced in yard. No kids, dual income. Someone is always home because my fiance is self employed. Neighborhood is dog friendly with sidewalks that lead all the way to the park.

well, I don't believe in buying pets from a store or breeder when there are dogs in need of a home, or are dying in shelters. But it seems that it's a futile effort anyway since I'm usually not approved.

Tony, I don't care whether you believe my story or not. You didn't answer my question.

I'm overwhelmed by all the answers, thanks!

It could be the possibility that I have never owned a weim before. In fact, I've never owned a BIG dog before. Just the medium or littles ones.

However, how could I ever have the experience if I am unable to adopt one?
I've filled 3 applications in Georgia and Tennesee. Their locations are pretty far from me. Distance must be an issue too.

I didn't always have a fence, it's a recent addition, which is why I only just begun applying.

Answer 1

I've been in rescue for many years and worked with a lot of different groups. I've never known any of them that did not give the reason someone is being turned down. Some people have a big misconception about what rescue groups are about. Its not just about finding any home that wants a dog. Its about finding a suitable home for each particular dog. By the time they come in to rescue, most have been abused, abandoned, neglected and have been through enough. In rescue we put all of our resources - financial and emotional - into getting them healthy, trained if needed, socialized, etc. When they are ready to be adopted, we must carefully screen all potential adopters. We review the application, we do phone interviews, we do home visits where ALL members of the household must be present so that we can talk to all of them, we check personal and vet references. And we try to match the family with a dog that is suitable to their lifestyle so that we lessen the chance that the dog will ever be without a loving home again. If you have been turned down a lot, then there is something that makes them think that you are not a suitable adopter or maybe you are interested in dogs that are wrong for your lifestyle and current living situation. I'd be really interested to see your application, and also interested to know what groups you applied to. But, in all cases where a group denies an adoption, someone should either call you and explain why or you should get a letter explaining why.

By the way - COMMENT to the person who said the rescue has no right to visit a year later - read your contract. In most rescue contracts, they say they have the right to check on the dog's welfare AT ANY TIME and if you adopted, that means you signed the contract agreeing to this. After everything the rescue did to save the dog, get and keep it healthy, they have a vested interest in making sure it stays safe and happy.

Answer 2

I work for an animal welfare shelter and many people get turned down for adoption dogs.

Some of the most common reasons are:
Renting and can't get the landlord's permission to keep a dog
Working long hours during the week and there is nobody else at home
Unable to give the dog the exercise it needs
The backyard is not big/secure enough
Have other pets that don't get along with the dog
The dog itself may have issues with cats/kids/other dogs
Will keep the dog outside 24/7
Has no experience or lacks knowledge about this particular breed
Family/house mates don't know about or want the dog that is being adopted

The place where I work, they do tell people why they think the home would not be suitable. Although some people who have been rejected will try their luck later with a different staff member and change their story. This may be why they don't tell people why they can't have a dog if they are not suited.

Answer 3

Someone is always home, you have a securely fenced in yard, you own the home, that all sounds good, but what about vet references? I know the shelter I work as checks those with every single adoption we do. If you've had dogs in the past, there might be something in your past vet work that the place isn't liking (no heart worm preventative, not having all animals spayed/neutered, slip up in vaccinations, often visits for injuries, the list can go on...). Is it a breed specific rescue, you said you're trying to get a weimaraner....? Alot of times they're even pickier about who gets a dog than a general shelter since most dogs are in foster homes already anyway, they feel they can take a little more time to find a home for the dog.

Answer 4

animal shelters always are very selective when it comes to where they decide to place the animal. It may have nothing to do with how big your house is, your yard, etc. Sometimes, and no offense...they just get a sense about the individual and if they don't feel comfortable they aren't going to send the dog home with you. There are many reasons why they might say no...maybe that particular dog is better in a home with children, maybe you should do some research on different types of dogs....what kind of care they will need etc and see which on might fit your lifestyle the best. Then you can look on line at different shelters for that kind of dog and apply at a few places and eventually you should be able to adopt a dog. It is definitely no an overnight process, so just be patient and do your homework and you will have you dog....good luck!

Answer 5

I couldn't tell you...I do know that some of the breed rescue groups and private rescues can be very, very picky...they want these dogs to go to "forever homes", and I'm sure they mean well, but they are sometimes a little too stringent in their criteria. I know even our county animal shelter has some funky rules- 17 years ago I went to get a kitten as my cat had died of renal failure, and they would not let us as we had children under 6- apparently that was because if we were allowed to get a cat, or dog, and brought it back because it bit one of the kids, they would then have to put it down. I understood the theory, even though I knew it didn't apply to my family. We ended up adopting a kitten from another group- she is 17 now! If you really want the dog, I would recommend either finding a breed club in your area, get to know the people who know the breed, help out with training classes if you are that experienced in training, etc. As you get to know the people, let them know you are looking to adopt a weim, once they get to know you, they will think of you the next time they get the call that so-and-so has got to find a home for a dog that was rescued, abandoned, etc. If there is no weimeramer club near by, the same holds true for the rescue groups, animal shelters, etc. You might even offer to foster a dog for them, its not a permanent commitment on your part, and allows you to show how serious you are. Good luck to you. I've got a rescued weimeramer who is about 8 now, she's a real sweetheart.

Answer 6

Rescues do not arbitrarily make up rules to prevent you from having a dog. And being turned down does not mean you're a bad person. There are a lot of factors in deciding whether a dog is right for an adopter and an adopter is right for a dog.

You may not be a match for the particular dog. Many dogs in rescue have emotional baggage. Some may be afraid of men. Some may be afraid of stairs. Some rescues will turn people down if their doors don't latch properly or if they leave shampoo bottles on the side of the tub. The reasons are endless but rest assured they are legitimate reasons.

When the right dog for you come along, it will be a perfect match.

Answer 7

It's odd you would keep being turned down seeing you seem to meet the requirements of a lot of shelters. Have they asked for vet references? Could there be something there like a vet suggested something that the animal really needed and was not done? (please I'm not accusing here, just asking. I know this is often the reason our shelter turns people down) Were you interviewed with your fiance? Maybe he did not seem too interested in the dog? It's usually another requirement that everyone in the home all want the animal. If just one person doesn't or seems apprehensive it can often lead to the animal coming back.

Maybe if it happens again you should ask why so you can work on putting it right.

Good luck. I hope you get to adopt soon.

Answer 8

You didn't provide a lot of details in your post about your household, your lifestyle, etc. Weimaraners are big active dogs. Are you in a small apartment? Do you have small kids? Are you financially stable? What are the questions they asked? You may have answered the questions honestly but that doesn't mean that those are the answers they are looking for.

Judging from some of my past experiences, a lot of times people involved in rescue groups are more animal people than people people. They really care for these animals and look out for their best interest, but aren't always good at communicating with people (this is a broad stereotype, I know). So sometimes they just aren't going to want to sit down and have a frank discussion with you about your application.

Before you even apply, ask the group what type of household with which they are trying to match the dog. If you're worried about being turned down, after asking these questions, just apply for a dog they say matches your lifestyle. Good luck!

Answer 9

I got turned down by a Lab Rescue in Fl because I do rescue and have fosters and 5 dogs of my own and they said Labs do not do well in multi dog households! I have trained and shown dogs for over 30 yrs, seen the same vet for over 30 yrs and gone to the same obed classes for 20 yrs. I have a fence, own my home and feed a top food but still got turned down. I adopted a great field Lab from the local shelter. He now lives with a 14 mos old n/m Dobe and 5 MinPins, 4 n/m and 1 s/f. He has no problems with multi dogs and in fact enjoys the dog park. Try Petfinder.org or Petharbor.com for weims in shelters.

Answer 10

Well i think that if you are not planning on going overseas soon, planning on dying any time soon and have experience with training dogs and have a well fenced and large enough property then well then it's a mystery. And to the declawing thing declawing is extremely cruel and uneaded, if your cat is tearing up the house cut it's toenails, it's a reasonably simple thing to do.

also, if you feel that you meet all the above catagories and also have enough money to afford to take care of a dog maybe you could look in the papers or local pet shops, there are often people moving overseas or elderly who have died that have pets that need homes...if this is the case you could adopt one of these pets.