I have adopted two female boxers from the Coastal Boxer Rescue in FL. I wanted to help them, so I became a home investigator. This family wanted to adopt a Boxer from the rescue group,I went to their home, lovely, clean 2 small children, nice size back yard,BUT!! The yard was NOT fenced in, and it led directly onto a Major heavely traveled road. Dog could have been killed in the turn of a back. See why it is so important. I also just gave an ok to a family waiting. They should have their new family member now., Its' so very important to check to make sure everything is as it was stated and as it should be.

Every rescue has rules. but they also have reasons for turning people down. Maybe you should have asked why not.. and changed your situation. . maybe you have a doggie door and the rescue doesnt believe in it.. get rid of it.. Or tie your dog out. Its illegal in most states now.. Think about it. they want the best for the dog...

I think some rescue groups are wayyyy to strict. They would rather kill a dog than give it to a family...maybe with small kids, other pets, small yard, small house. Most people going to rescues are trying to do the right thing, and would love the dogs and give them a good home. Give em a break.

I think there are well intentioned rescue groups out there, but come on. Look at the Ellen situation taking a dog away from a loving famiky that the dog had bonded with because someone else broke the rules. I remember being 16 yrs old and our family tried to adopt a mini pin from a rescue group. Our 14 yr old dog had died from natural causes a few months earlier. We were all set. Two teenagers in the family, no small children, big fenced in back yard, but when the rescue people came to drop off the dog they didn't like that we lived on a busy street. We explained we had lived there for 16 yrs and our family dog lived a long healthy live on that street. The rescue group refused. We were devestated, but loved and missed having a dog. We adopted a dog from another group that lived 16 yrs! Ten in the house on that very busy street. It isn't the yard, or space in the house. It is the people that make a good match with a pet not their circumstances.

I am mixed when it comes to this issue, because although you have to find homes for as many pets as possible, I can sure understand why any rescues or adoption agencies try to screen their potential 'pet parents'. I think that you have to somehow insure a standard of care for the animal who is to go to a new home, and this always leaves tough decisions to be made. Most of my dogs and cats have been adopted from the local shelter and have been great, but this most recent time, after the death of our 13 year old lab, I contacted Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida
(labradorrescue.net ) and they were fabulous. I was a little nervous about the home visit, but I can sure understand why they wanted to insure that the dogs in their care would be given to a safe and caring home, with responsible people who understand the needs of the lab dog. After our home visit from a wonderful woman, we set out to visit foster homes and meet potential dogs. We ended up, very quickly, with a beautiful young lab who was perfect for us. In the process, I met a few other members of this group, some who foster the dogs and others who are just available to counsel "new parents" thru the initial process. I can't say enough about this group. Check out their website and see all the beautiful young, middle-aged and senior labs who are up for adoption. We have had our dog now for a year and he is the best!

Absolutely the rescue groups should be EXTREMELY particular in placing animals in forever homes. People often have wonderful intentions and really bad common sense. I work with a rescue organization out of Ft Lauderdale and it amazes me the elderly couples wanting to adopt young, VERY active dogs when there is no way they can give the exercise that the dogs need. Then when the dog has behavioral problems from boredom, they take NONE of the blame. Or the lady that wanted to "suprise" her husband with a rescued puppy. What happens when your husband decides he didn't want to be suprised or that he wanted to pick out his own dog? And only a fool would place an animal in a home without meeting all members first.
I appreciated the screening process of adopting our "old brown hound dog" as much as I did all of the time, attention, and love that the rescue group had given her. They wouldn't do it if they didn't care.