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While you are trying to decide which dog is the best fit for you and your family, the people in shelters and rescue organizations are trying to find forever homes for their dogs.
And while everyone involved has the dog’s best interest at heart, you somehow ended up with an email that states, sorry, but your dog adoption application has been denied!
It’s really baffling how tough and long a dog adoption process can be when there are millions of dogs just waiting for someone to take them home.
While it is true that not all people will be amazing dog parents, it’s safe to assume that a dog will be better off with an average person than spending their life in an overpopulated shelter.
If you were turned down by a shelter or a rescue group for the first time, don’t despair.
Believe it or not, some people have been denied more than once for reasons such as being too old or too young or not working from home!
The truth is, a rescue can turn your application down for many reasons – some make sense, others not so much.
In this article, I’ll list all the most common reasons for not being approved for dog adoption. Hopefully, this will give you an idea of things you can fix in order to get approved the first or next time you apply.
9 Reasons For Not Being Approved For Pet Adoption
There are millions of dogs in shelters and rescue organizations all across the United States, waiting for their forever homes.
Unfortunately, many of these dogs don’t get adopted and end up euthanized to make room for more dogs that are abandoned every day.
When you consider these facts, you would naturally assume that shelters and rescues are struggling to find people who are willing to adopt rather than buying a dog from a breeder or pet shop. However, that is not always the case!
While it is true that not everyone is a suitable candidate to adopt a dog, many people believe that shelters and rescues have unrealistically high standards.
According to some rescue organizations, ideal adoption candidates should work from home. There are also examples of people being rejected because they are too old, have young children, or already have other pets in the household.
Most rescue organizations believe that these high standards and lengthy adoption processes are in the dogs’ best interest and ensure that the animals will end up in the best possible homes.
However, many major animal protection and welfare groups are challenging these rigorous standards and are encouraging rescues and shelters to allow open adoptions.
If you recently filled out a dog adoption application that was denied without any explanation, you’re not alone!
And while being rejected is going to sting for quite some time, you shouldn’t get discouraged or give up on the idea of adopting a dog someday.
To increase your chances of adopting a dog of your dreams on the second or third try, you should learn why your dog adoption application was denied now and try to fix issues that can be fixed.
And if by any chance you can’t resolve all potential issues, try adopting a dog from a non-profit shelter with an open adoption policy.
But for now, here are the most common reasons for not being approved for pet adoption by a shelter or rescue organization:
1. You Don’t Have A Fenced Yard
Having a fenced yard is high on the list of priorities for most rescue organizations and shelters, and for a good reason.
Dogs are energetic and active animals who need daily exercise to burn off excess energy and stay in good shape.
Highly energetic breeds such as Labradors need a lot of exercise and more than 60 minutes of activity every day.
Having a fenced yard can go a long way in keeping your dog properly exercised and healthy.
Additionally, having a fenced yard can be a great alternative for those days when you have to stay longer at work and don’t have time to walk your dog as long as you would usually.
As far as shelters and rescues are concerned, having a fenced backyard means that you are able to provide a safe environment for your dog to play and run around.
Without a fence, there is always a chance that a dog can run off, get hit by a car, or get injured in another way.
You can always try to talk to the shelter’s staff after your pet adoption application was denied and explain that you are willing to fence the yard or come up with another solution.
And while this might seem like a long shot, your efforts may pay off if there are no other issues with your application.
2. Long Working Hours
Having long working hours is one of the top reasons for not being approved for pet adoption. Generally speaking, most dogs can be left at home alone for as many as four or six hours.
However, this can vary from one dog to the next and depends on age, level of training, and general health.
Most rescues and shelters will reject your dog adoption application if you state that you have long working hours or travel a lot for work.
Furthermore, hiring a pet sitter or committing to doggy daycare won’t make any difference in the shelter’s eyes.
Bear in mind, if you have decided to adopt a dog with separation anxiety, the rescue will most likely reject your application if you aren’t working from home.
Separation anxiety is a serious problem that can result in self-injury and destruction of your property. In this case, working from home isn’t such an unreasonable request and is really in the dog’s best interest.
3. Your Age
It might seem like discrimination, but if you are under 21 or older than 60, there is a big chance that your adoption application will be declined because of your age.
While legally you have to be over 18 to adopt a dog, most organizations will turn down young people who are legally old enough.
Shelters argue that young people often go to college or are too busy chasing job opportunities to provide a stable home for a rescue dog.
On the other hand, being elderly also lowers your chances of adopting a dog through a rescue group.
The goal of rescues and shelters is to place dogs in forever homes, and some organizations feel that elderly people should only adopt older or senior dogs.
Hearing that you can’t adopt a dog just because of your age is upsetting, to say the least, especially if you are looking for the companionship a canine can offer.
If by any chance the rescue deemed you too old to adopt a dog from them, you should fill out an adoption application for a local non-profit shelter or try to adopt a senior dog.
4. The Size Of Your Home
Shelters and rescue groups don’t have any specific requirements regarding the size of home the adopted dog is going to live in.
However, your adoption application will most likely get rejected if you are living in a studio apartment and want to adopt a large dog such as a Labradoodle or a giant breed such as a Great Dane.
If you live in an apartment or smaller home, your best bet for getting approved for adoption is to consider medium-sized or smaller dogs.
Keep in mind, dogs need space to move freely, play games, and lounge to stay happy and content.
And if your home is too small to allow a dog these basic things, your adoption application will get denied.
5. Number Of Pets You Currently Have
Another common reason why pet adoption applications are denied is the number of pets you currently own.
Being a pet parent and understanding a dog’s unique needs is definitely a plus in the eyes of rescues and shelters.
However, there is a significant chance that your application will be rejected if you already have two dogs and a cat.
In this case, rescues may decide that you are unable to properly take care of all of your pets and meet their unique needs.
Furthermore, there is also a possibility that your current pets won’t get along with the new dog, or might become aggressive due to jealousy.
Furthermore, many cities legally limit the number of dogs per household to only two or three, so you might not have a legal right to adopt another dog.
If you are already a pet parent, research your local zoning laws and legal regulations before filling out a dog adoption form. This way, you will get all the information about your rights before you fall in love with a shelter dog.
6. There Are Young Children In The House
Having young kids running around the house doesn’t mean that you have to wait until they grow up to apply for dog adoption.
However, you should know that certain dog breeds don’t go hand-in-hand with young children, and are better suited for adult-only homes.
For example, your adoption application will most likely be rejected if you have two toddlers and are looking to adopt a Chihuahua.
While they are tiny, Chihuahuas are territorial and attention-seeking dogs that aren’t recommended for homes with younger children.
The same might be the case if you want to adopt a high-energy breed or a working dog such as a border collie or Corgi.
While they are friendly and protective of their families, working breeds have a tendency to herd and nip smaller children, which can lead to injury and cause your child to become afraid of dogs.
7. Your Current Pets Aren’t Up To Date On Their Shots
If you already have pets, the shelter or rescue organization will check to see if they are up to date on all of their shots.
If the check shows that you don’t vaccinate your pets regularly or didn’t do it ever, your adoption application will be denied right away.
Even if you reason that there is no need to vaccinate your 15-year-old cat that hasn’t set foot outside, your application will still be denied and you won’t be able to adopt a dog.
However, if you missed a regular vaccination date by a few days, there is a chance that you will manage to adopt a dog once you get your pets current on all of their shots.
8. None Of Your Pets Are Spayed Or Neutered
Shelters and rescue groups are firm believers that all dogs and cats should be altered when they are old enough, usually around six months of age.
Spaying and neutering is the only way to stop more unwanted pets from being born and to deal with the huge overpopulation problem.
So, if you for whatever reason you didn’t have your current pets spayed or neutered, your adoption application will be rejected.
And no matter how many times you fill out adoption papers with different shelters, you won’t be able to adopt a dog unless you alter the pets you have.
Besides lowering the number of dogs that will be born on streets and in shelters, spaying and neutering also have health benefits.
Altering your dog can reduce the risk of pyometra and reduce the risk of reproductive cancers. Furthermore, studies have shown that altered dogs live longer than dogs who weren’t spayed or neutered.
9. You Don’t Want To Crate Train A Dog
Crate training is still a subject of much controversy. Many dog trainers use crate training and believe it’s a completely safe and effective training method when used properly.
However, some people aren’t comfortable locking their puppies and dogs inside a crate during the night or during working hours.
Whether you believe in crate training or not is completely up to you, but you should know that most rescue organizations will expect you to crate train your new dog.
However, certain organizations will reject your application automatically if you state that you intend to crate train a dog.
When it comes to this question, it’s best that you remain honest regarding your intentions about crate training.
If you aren’t comfortable locking your dog in a crate, say so in your application and add that you are more than willing to try all other house training techniques.
FAQs About Pet Adoption Application Denied
Why Is So Hard To Adopt A Dog From A Rescue?
Most rescue dogs have had hard lives and have lived in bad conditions that created health and/or behavioral problems.
Consequently, many of these dogs require specific care and particular living conditions to lead normal, happy lives.
Unfortunately, most potential owners don’t have the means to fulfill the special needs of a rescue dog, which makes the adoption process extremely hard.
If your pet adoption application is denied, don’t despair! You can always fill out another adoption form and try to rescue one of the millions of dogs who are waiting for a forever home.
How Do I Get Approved For A Rescue Dog?
There are several things you can do to increase your chances of getting approved for a rescue dog.
First of all, fence your yard and make sure that it is completely safe for a dog to spend time and play in it.
Furthermore, you should show some effort and research the breed you are interested in adopting, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Rescues like when potential owners show some initiative, as this means they are genuinely interested in that particular dog and are willing to do everything they can to provide a forever home.
Should You Lie On A Pet Adoption Application?
Adopting a pet can be a tough and frustrating process, especially when you do everything right and still end up rejected.
While lying on your dog adoption form might seem like a good idea, you should stick with the truth, no matter what.
And no matter how frustrated or disappointed you are, keep in mind that you got rejected for a specific reason.
So instead of resorting to lies, you should figure out what things you can improve in order to get approved for adoption.
What Do Dog Adoption Agencies Look For In A Home Visit?
Most adoption agencies are looking to see if a potential new home is safe for a dog. They will check to see if you have a fenced yard and, if so look for weak spots and any potential escape routes.
Furthermore, they will make sure there are no toxic plants or other harmful substances around the house and check for potential choking hazards you may not be aware of.
Final Thoughts
It’s completely natural to be angry, frustrated, and disappointed if your dog adoption application was denied!
Unfortunately, potential owners get rejected all the time due to all sorts of reasons, some of which are unfair, to say the least.
The most common reasons why shelters reject pet adoption applications are:
- You don’t have a fenced yard
- You already own several pets
- The dog will spend a lot of time alone due to your long working hours
Adopting a dog from a rescue is much harder than it may seem.
But once you know why your adoption application was turned down, you can try to solve those issues and apply for adoption again.
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13 comments
How can I find out from a shelter why they rejected my application
I don’t believe in working with adoption agencies. They say that they have the best interest of the dogs in mind, they go out of their way to try to convince the public that they are only looking out for the best interests of the dogs, but that isn’t really the case. Most of the time these people traumatize good people who would be an excellent fit for a dog. You have to understand human psychology. These “adoption agencies” are filled with people who have personality issues, and they always enjoy a good power play. It is my hope that people will finally wake up and stop dealing with these bad time-wasting people and start rejecting them instead. I always feel that shelters are the best places to find a dog, followed by licensed breeders. Adoption agencies shouldn’t even be on your list.
Looking to adopt a new member to our family if possible looking for a husky or German shepherds our boxer we had for 10 years passed away very sad
Looking for a puppy for our 16 years old son
Sincerely
Rosie Nunez
Adoption agencies have put me off ever adopting a dog. I may try shelters, but seriously considering just buying from a breeder. I feel terrible for the poor dogs they have under their care. Will never even consider any of them again as their expectations are silly and unrealistic of the typical working person. Waste of time to deal with their nonsense.
I was denied 4x for not living in the suburbs and not having a backyard big enough. Even though my yard is fenced and I was looking for a small dog. ♀️
I have just been rejected two days after applying. A house check hasn’t even been performed! In my application I stated I was 44, that my kids were older (10 and 13), that I worked part-time and that I used to have a dog who died of old age. They didn’t even bother to perform a house check! I think they discriminated against me because I am Romanian and they probably assumed I must be a very bad person. I will never try dog charities again. Will probably pay a bit more a get a puppy from England.
i tried to adopt a dog from several rescues, several times and was denied, because we live on a farm, and the area around the house is only partially fenced- not fully fenced.
in the end, we adopted the dog we wanted anyway, because the dog had not been relinquished by the owner yet, and we got in touch directly with her, and she gave us the dog. She thought it was ridiculous to have those rules with no exceptions, especially when the dog in question, never left her yard, and was off leash all the time, but he was never a wanderer. However he did have serious housebreaking issues and very very bad separation anxiety.
our home was perfect since between all of our family, the dog would almost never be home alone due to our lifestyle.
But it would also have been very expensive and impractical to fence in the area the rescue requested.
My husband also was not at all interested in being “inspected” by them, before the adoption could go through.
End result was, the original owner stopped working with the rescue.
They had told her she has to relinquish her dog and he must spend at least one week in the shelter, before being adopted out.
She thought that was awful for this sensitive , nervous dog to have to be traumatized by spending a week in the kennel, when he had a nice prospective family already waiting and that part could be skipped.
This was four years ago, this dog is still with us, no fenced yard, off leash all the time, does not wander, he is my shadow, won’t even go out to the yard to pee alone, i have to go with him. He definitely does not need a fence.
Due to being with the family 99 percent of the time, his separation anxiety went away, now if we go grocery shopping and he happens to be alone, he is ok, because he knows we come back.
it’s not like before when he was left alone all day because his owners worked out of the house.
he has a great home, a great life, and it would have been so stupid for him and us to have missed out on each other ,just because of some rigid rules about fencing, that don’t apply to every situation.
Maya, I had a wonderful smaller dog who came with me to northern Wisconsin to help my relatives downsize their small DAIRY FARM. A dog on a dairy farm is in DOGGIE HEAVEN! 40 acres. No leashes, just barbed wire fencing for the cows. Did she have fun! Loved chasing things but just didn’t want to catch them. Tons of barn cats to chase, deer, rabbits, fox, but respected the cows – “I’ll just walk with you ladies.” Always came when called, liked to get nose-to-nose with neighbors horses, and the little calves. What a sight. Memories. She had a great life in their farmers house, too, and slept with me. Everybody loved Daisy who was also adopted out of a cage in Las Vegas.
It’s called RE-HOMING when one person GIVES their dog to someone else. No rescues, no shelters. Just goes to another person/family. Where one person was unable to take care of their dog, they find someone else who can. After many questions/conversations later. Unless they already know you. POMDR in Pacific Grove, CA lists people who want to re-home their dog(s) for whatever reason. Many times it’s due to the death of the dog’s owner and the family can’t keep him. Google POMDR.
Actually, you could have put up a fence – around a small garden. Plant something!
If this involved Animal Control then a rescue/shelter has to come into play. All your shelter wanted was the ADOPTION FEE, Period.
It’s all about the money with many of these female-only run shelters. We adults stay away from these places. We even stay away from man female vets today, too. They have, unfortunately, turned the vet industry upside down, too. I know many pet owners who even travel out of state just to go to a male vet. It’s not who’s smarter, it’s who’s more competent, who treats the pet’s owners more professionally.
It is what it is. And, yes, Daisy followed me around, too. I went in, she followed. I went out, so did she. She was free to do whatever she wanted to do at the time. Daisy was always happy and knew she was loved – and needed. I have a feeling your dog is just as happy, just as loved as Daisy was.
May you both have a long, wonderful life together.
Hello my name is Catherine I’m looking for a smaller dog smaller than a lab I would love to adopt a dog but I knew a small dog not a large dog cuz I live in a condo upstairs and down I have a a small yard but I was taking for walks everyday husband passed away recently and I’m looking for companion can you help me get up to adopt a little puppy
After reading so many posts for dogs on rescue sites and some of their ridiculous rules, I’m going alternative routes – senior centers that may allow pets and an owner passes away, vet clinics that may have surrenders, private owners that can no longer keep their dog. And yes, breeders, though I would be looking for an adult they no longer “use”.
Every dog and every owner are different, rescues shouldn’t clump them all into one group. Every terrier isn’t going to go after your cat, and every long haired dog doesn’t need to go to a groomed once a month if you’re able to do it yourself. And imagine how many dogs would be without a home if no one adopted to working people or those without a fenced yard. Speaking of fenced yards, I’ve seen more dogs neglected by people who have them – they put the dog out, leave it for hours, never walk it and never take it anywhere with them. The last “rule” I saw was the clincher for me – it said “be prepared for us to view your social media.” Um no, I don’t think so. Is this even legal? One day I’ll find that smallish dog I’m searching for and it will have a wonderful life for years to come.
People who live in APARTMENTS do not have fenced yards. They have what are called LEASHES. When the dog is outside his person is out there, too, taking them for long/short walks. The walk TOGETHER. Fenced in yards? MANY dog owners use these places as DOGGY BABY SITTERS. Dog sits out there all by themselves. All alone. A fenced in yard does not guarantee that the dog will be cared for, loved and played with. Period. My adopted little dog spent most of her 16 years just that way! All alone outside in a FENCED YARD in San Jose. She was safe and loved! Like hell she was.
There are many shelters who will NOT let a MAN adopt a dog. They won’t even reply to emails about a dog, but my female friend can send the SAME email from her PC and get all the answers she wants! FACT. A couple of these non-profits have had their status with the IRS REVOKED. 99.99% of these shelters are operated by females who make a living with their non-profit status. The dog’s well being is far down their list. FACT. There are excellent WOMEN run shelters that will allow a man to adopt. I’m talking about the Gen-Z crowd who all say “We’re smarter then men.” Right. Many of us looking to adopt Senior, small (willing to adopt specials needs) are retired, ex-college and ex-MILITARY. Yet we’re not good enough to adopt ANOTHER special needs little dog – NO FENCED IN YARD. Most of these females we have to talk to/email have no clue. NO YARD. They don’t even why so many shelters have TOO MANY LARGE DOGS. Town rules? Apt/condo rules? NO. FOOD ISSUES. People are now having to decide “Do I feed my wonderful dog – OR – feed my kids? There will be tears and crying as her dog is surrendered to a shelter – on her way to the supermarket. FACT.
Dog food costs have doubled-tripled in the last 12 months – if your dog’s formula isn’t OUT-OF-STOCK. Pretty soon she won’t be able to feed her kids. All planned, all intentional. It’s one thing if dog food costs more, it’s another if you can get that food anymore.
MANY small/rural towns with houses don’t have fenced in yards – unless you can take your dog to the local tennis court and let him chase tennis balls. LEASHES. Dog walkers all over the place. These shelters are FENCE crazy but couldn’t care less if you SMOKE, do drugs (vaping/marijuana kills dogs), drink lots of alcohol, been arrested for animal abuse and why did you previous dogs/cats die? One shelter had a blind, deaf little dog – but we HAD TO HAVE A FENCED IN YARD. Poor little dog would be scared to death out there. In an apt/house, he would be much more comfy especially when he learned how to walk around an apt without running into anything. They figure this out in a couple days. Mine did. I was his seeing eye dog. Nope. MUST HAVE A YARD. Plus, today we have painless, tiny GPS “collars” and our dog will be fine walking off leash. He’ll know when to stop. NOPE. GOTTA HAVE A FENCED IN YARD.
Is it any wonder today that MANY people travel to the UK, EU, Czech Republic, Hungary and ADOPT A DOG THERE AND TAKE HIM BACK HOME? (small dogs can ride in the plane between your feet). Most of our police dogs come from the Czech Republic today – and understand English! “If you want a healthy dog, move to Europe.”
I’ll keep looking.
Hey Gary,
Can you tell me a little more about why male vets are better than female vets? I’ve noticed a little pattern of my own, but would like to know more about the reasons that you found.
I was denied an 8 week old German shepard mix puppy becouse I don’t have a fenced in yard . I tod them that with her age and breed I’m looking for a puppy to train as my service animal . I am hearing impared .German shepards are #1 for excellence in being a hearing service animal . I told them she would be with me 24/7 . And the younger the puppy is the better . It’s a better bonding for the puppy and I and she would be more loved . There is a dog park where she can run and play while she is nor working . They said they were waiting for an environment with a yard s9 denying a perfect home for her . The shelter named her Athena which was one of the names I’ve been thinking of if I get a puppy . I told them that too
This is not right in my opinion